Andre Agassi is heading back onto Australian soil this weekend, returning to the court where some of his greatest memories were made. The tennis great will reunite with Roger Federer for a special exhibition match at the Australian Open, reminding fans why Melbourne has always held a special place in his career.
Now 55, Agassi may be long retired from professional competition, but his life after tennis has remained full, active, and carefully balanced. A change in sport — and one simple rule shared with his wife, Steffi Graf — has played a quiet but important role in maintaining that balance.
A Private Marriage Between Two Tennis Giants
Agassi and Graf are one of sport’s most celebrated couples, yet their relationship has always been kept well away from the spotlight.
They married in 2001 in an intimate ceremony attended by just four people: Agassi’s mother, Betty, Graf’s mother, Heidi, and the couple themselves. There were no crowds, no headlines, and no spectacle — a fitting start for a partnership built on privacy and mutual respect.
Together, they have two children, Jaden Gil, now 24, and Jaz Elle, 22. Both parents remain towering figures in tennis history. Agassi claimed eight Grand Slam titles during his career, while Graf’s legacy is even larger, with 22 major championships and years of dominance in women’s tennis.
Life After Tennis Keeps Agassi Busy
Since stepping away from the professional tour, Agassi has stayed deeply connected to the sport. He has worked as a coach for top-level players, appeared as a guest commentator on the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, and recently took on the role of Team World captain for the 2025 Laver Cup.
Yet tennis hasn’t been his only focus.
Like many former professionals, Agassi has found a new sporting outlet in pickleball — a fast-growing racket sport that has gained popularity across Australia and globally. It’s a passion he shares with Graf, and one that has added a fresh dynamic to their life together.
How Pickleball Became Their Shared Escape
The couple first picked up pickleball during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, playing casually while much of the world was locked down. What began as a leisure activity soon became a regular part of their routine.
Their competitive instincts never disappeared. In 2025, Agassi and Graf teamed up to defeat Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard in a high-profile match, proving that their winning edge remains firmly intact.
But behind the scenes, they established one important rule.
The One Rule That Keeps Competition in Check
To avoid tension, Agassi and Graf decided early on that they would never play against each other.
Instead, they always line up as doubles partners.
“We don’t play against each other. We prefer to be on the same side of the court,” Graf explained in an interview with People Magazine in 2025.
Agassi echoed the sentiment, highlighting what draws them both to the sport. “We like that pickleball is a community-oriented sport,” he said. “People who play pickleball also improve quickly.”
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For the couple, the game isn’t about rivalry. It’s about shared time, movement, and connection — something that has become increasingly important in retirement.
A Sport That Fits Their Lifestyle
Agassi has spoken openly about how pickleball fits neatly into their travel-heavy lives.
“We really want to spread the game,” he said. “When we’re not travelling, we practice a lot of pickleball. Since we both play, it’s fun to do it together.”
That simplicity appears to be the key. By removing direct competition between them, the sport stays enjoyable rather than stressful — a small adjustment with a big impact on harmony.
A Close-Knit Family Dynamic
Away from sport, Agassi and Graf have also built a strong relationship with their children as adults.
Agassi recently described a family night out that felt more like friends meeting than a traditional parents-and-kids dinner.
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“We had a great date night the other night where it was me, Steffi, my son and Catherine, his girlfriend, and Jaz, our daughter, and her boyfriend Parker,” he said. “It was like a triple date and we all just went out and sat and talked.”
He added that the family dynamic is built on mutual respect. “We feel like peers around them. We respect them, we seek their opinion on things, they’re not hesitant to ask us our perspective on what they’re going through.”
For Agassi, it’s a stage of life that feels healthy and grounded.
Eyes Back on Melbourne and the Australian Open
With pickleball temporarily on pause, Agassi’s attention turns back to tennis this weekend. Alongside Federer, the exhibition match will also feature Australian icons Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt — a line-up designed to celebrate the Australian Open’s rich history.
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Federer, a six-time Australian Open champion, has spoken warmly about returning to Melbourne.
“Coming back to win the AO in 2017 is one of my most treasured Grand Slam memories and backing it up to win in 2018 was another dream come true in Melbourne,” he said when the match was announced. “I can’t wait to come down under again to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans.”
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For Australian tennis fans, the exhibition offers nostalgia, star power, and a reminder of why Melbourne remains one of the sport’s most beloved stages.
And for Agassi, it’s another chapter in a post-retirement life shaped by balance — both on and off the court.