"My son Jaden made a necklace for me when he was 4, it says 'Daddy Rocks'" - When Andre Agassi revealed how his and Steffi Graf's son motivated him
Andre Agassi once opened up about the significance of a sentimental gift he received from his and Steffi Graf's son Jaden as a child. Agassi fondly revealed how he had cherished the gift over the years and how it served as a source of motivation for him.
Following his retirement from tennis in 2006, Agassi dedicated himself to philanthropy, focusing his attention on the Andre Agassi Charitable Association, which he had established in 1994. The non-profit organization aims to aid disadvantaged youths in Nevada and across the United States.
In 2001, the former World No. 1 also established the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a charter school that provides at-risk children with a tuition-free education.
In a 2019 interview with Penta, Andre Agassi disclosed that his lack of education inspired his mission to ensure that at-risk youth did not face the same challenges.
"My lack of education was part of my inspiration. I think my lack of education led me to a lack of choice in my life. And the lack of choice for these children that I’m helping means some pretty desperate circumstances," he said.
"I recognize that the only way to make systemic change was through education, to give the tools as opposed to just sticking band-aids on issues," he added.
When asked what motivated him, Agassi recounted a touching story about a necklace his Jaden made for him when he was four, with the words 'Daddy Rocks.' The American also disclosed that he continues to wear the necklace, even 14 years later.
"My son Jaden Gil made a necklace for me when he was four. It says “Daddy Rocks.” He is 18. I never take my necklace off," Andre Agassi said.
"Agassi is a very tennis last name, the goal is to try to make it a baseball one" - Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's son Jaden
Although Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's son Jaden has followed in his parents' footsteps by pursuing professional sports, his passion lies in baseball instead of tennis.
The 22-year-old plays college baseball for the USC Trojans and also spent part of the 2024 season with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, a summer team of the MLB Draft League.
Despite his parents' exceptional accomplishments in tennis, Jaden Agassi has shared his goal to establish the Agassi name in the baseball world as well.
"I want to say right around middle school kind of just people asking me, and it just kind of became more of a reality. That’s kind of the goal. Agassi is a very tennis last name, of course. The goal is to try to make it a baseball one,” Agassi said, in quotes collected by WKBN.
He also expressed his appreciation for his parents' vast experience as professional athletes, describing their invaluable advice as a "huge help."
"They’ve been through it, obviously in a different sport, but they’ve seen it all and done it all. They’ve been a huge help, absolutely. [My parents] help me out in so many ways I couldn’t even name, but they’re a great resource," he added.