Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have now become empty nesters in their lives and are learning to find new and exciting ways to enjoy themselves together. Pickleball has become an important part of the couple's regular program, providing the needed closure for strengthening their relationship as a power couple.
In a recent exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Agassi opened up about how the sport has “filled a huge gap” in their lives. After 25 years of marriage and raising children who are now in their 20s, Agassi explained how pickleball offers a new way to connect with his wife.
He said, “When this game originally caught on, everyone thought it was for older people, but now it’s become so much younger. I feel like I can still get better at something, which is really cool.”
Pickleball: A Game for All Ages
Agassi, who finds joy in competing alongside Graf, highlighted how the game has evolved into an intergenerational activity. He continued, “But then to do it with her, it gives us a bonding experience.” As the couple enjoys their downtime, they’ve found that pickleball provides a fulfilling and enjoyable way to stay active while strengthening their connection.
Agassi Hosts First-Ever Agassi Open Play Day
Agassi’s love for the sport has extended beyond his personal enjoyment. On April 12, he hosted the inaugural Agassi Open Play Day at Life Time Green Valley in celebration of National Pickleball Month. This event was mirrored at over 100 Life Time athletic clubs across the United States, further solidifying pickleball’s rise in popularity.
In his conversation about the sport’s growth, Agassi shared his amazement at how rapidly it has taken off in the U.S. He said, “It’s been growing like an anomaly here in America. I don’t know of any sport that has ever covered this kind of territory in such a short period of time.”
Agassi, who chairs the Life Time Racquet Sports Board, was joined by notable figures at the event, including Life Time Founder and CEO Bahram Akradi, Maroon 5 guitarist and pickleball fan James Valentine, professional pickleball player Ryan Sherry, and 11-year-old pickleball prodigy Jack Lowridge.
Jaden Agassi Pursues Baseball, Not Tennis
Though neither of Agassi and Graf’s children followed in their parents' tennis footsteps, their son Jaden, 23, is making a name for himself as a star pitcher for USC. While Agassi expressed uncertainty about whether Jaden will pursue a professional career in baseball, he praised his son's commitment to his dreams.
"Team sports, you know, they have to pull you along, so he’s still hoping for his dreams and going after it, and I respect him tremendously for it. I hope the best for him, but he’s clear on what he wants to do,” Agassi said.