"Steffi Graf & Andre Agassi were talking a lot... whole thing is hard to swallow": When German's ex-boyfriend was left stunned by her new relationship
Steffi Graf's ex-boyfriend and German motorsports racing driver, Michael Bartels, once opened up about their breakup. Following their split, Graf started dating fellow tennis star Andre Agassi.
Graf and Bartels were in a relationship from 1992 to 1999 before she started seeing Agassi. The American had recently divorced actress Brooke Shields following a tumultuous marriage.
The same year, Agassi approached Graf in between her winning her final Grand Slam title at the French Open and reaching her last Major final at Wimbledon a month later. He had long wanted to ask her out, seized the moment and did so. The rest is history.
The couple married in 2001 and are now proud parents of two children. Their son, Jaden, 22, is a baseball player, while their 20-year-old daughter, Jaz, is a talented dancer and fitness coach.
Before Steffi Graf’s happy life with Andre Agassi began, she experienced a tough breakup with Michael Bartels. During an interview in 1999, Bartels expressed his heartbreak over their split after seven years together and hinted that he might address the situation more openly in the future.
"I'd rather not say what I felt when I heard that she wanted to go down a new path after seven years with me. What I feel is very private. When I do think I am able to speak then I will. And I will speak forcefully," Bartels said.
Bartels also revealed that he had no knowledge of Graf and Agassi's romance and believed they were just "close friends," before admitting that learning about their relationship was difficult for him to accept.
"I had no idea Steffi and Andre were an item," Bartels said. "I had never seen him around and didn't even know they were close friends. I suppose I would always have been the last to know, I really never suspected. It's left me stunned."
"It's clear to me now that all the time I was travelling with my racing Steffi and Andre were talking a lot and also writing to each other. The whole thing is really hard to swallow," he added.
Steffi Graf after her breakup with Michael Bertels: "I believe I can fly now"
In an old interview, Steffi Graf discussed her breakup with Michael Bartels, noting that they both needed to go their separate ways. She also shared that she was looking forward to spending time with Andre Agassi.
"I believe I can fly now," Graf said. "My friend Michael is no longer around but we experienced a lot together. Now we have parted we must both go our own way. I am now looking forward to spending time with Andre."
Graf and Agassi are widely recognized as one of the most iconic tennis couples. They have a combined total of 30 Grand Slams, with Graf winning 22 and Agassi eight. The German is also the only player to have achieved the Golden Slam, a rare feat of winning all four Majors and an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year.
The couple continues to live happily ever after, staying active in charitable work and occasionally playing exhibition matches together. Meanwhile, not much is known about Bartels' current whereabouts.