"Not at all, I prefer to spend time with my family": When Steffi Graf dismissed being jealous of Martina Navratilova still playing tennis in her 40s
Steffi Graf once spoke about her early retirement from tennis, which shocked fans worldwide due to the sudden nature of her decision. She shared that she was content with her choice and wanted to focus on spending time with her family, having no desire to play in her 40s like Martina Navratilova.
Graf chose to hang up her racquet at the young age of 30 in 1999, despite being ranked World No. 3 at the time. She had won her final Major at the French Open that same year, but her decision was influenced by a left hamstring injury sustained during a match against Amy Frazier at the TIG Classic, which forced her to retire mid-match.
In a 2004 interview with the German magazine 'Stern,' the German reflected on her retirement. When asked if she missed playing tennis in her 40s like Navratilova, she replied in the negative though she praised the Czech-born American for competing at such a "high level" at the age of 48.
"Not at all, but hats off to her," Graf said. "What she does is impressive. I prefer to spend my time with my family. But it's amazing to see the high level at which Martina still plays at her age."
Steffi Graf was a once-in-a-lifetime talent, considered one of the greatest the tennis world has ever witnessed. Though numbers barely do justice to her greatness, she captured 22 Grand Slams and held the No. 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks—until Novak Djokovic surpassed that mark in 2023.
The German legend is also the only player to achieve the elusive 'Golden Slam'—winning all four Majors and the Olympic gold in a single calendar year, which she accomplished in 1988. She also remains the only player to have won each Grand Slam tournament at least four times.
Steffi Graf married fellow tennis legend Andre Agassi after retirement & had 2 children
Steffi Graf began dating fellow tennis legend Andre Agassi the same year she retired from tennis.
The couple married in 2001 and are now proud parents of two children. Their 22-year-old son, Jaden, is a baseball player, while their 20-year-old daughter, Jaz, is a talented dancer and fitness coach.
Both Graf and Agassi keep themselves busy with various projects. The German has focused on charitable work through the Children for Tomorrow foundation, which she co-founded. Similarly, the American is involved in charitable efforts through the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education.