If you were asked to mention one power couple in tennis, without a doubt, your mind would conjure up one of the most solid celebrity couples of all time: Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi. Both players shone on the world’s most elite courts in the 1990s, with Agassi being a former world Number One, eight-time major champion, and Olympic gold medalist, and Graf being World Number One for 377 weeks and being the first tennis player to achieve the Golden Slam. Agassi and Graf started dating in 1999—the year both she and Agassi had won the French Open. Although Agassi had previously been engaged to actress Brooke Shields, the first and only time he tied the knot was with Graf in 2001, with only their moms and witnesses present. How did they manage to keep their love alive at a time in which so many marriages end in divorce?
Stefi Graf and Andre Agassi: The Value of Shared Commitment
Before dating Stefi, Andre had always admired her tenacity. He claims that he used to watch her quietly and steadily training, thinking that he, too, could achieve his very best if he committed himself in a similar fashion. To this day, both profess a mutual admiration for each other. They understand what it took to become Number One—exacting exercise routines, a healthy diet, practice, and plenty of sacrifice. Agassi has stated that this same level of commitment is what it takes to make a marriage work. When you stop prioritizing your partner’s feelings and needs, he said, the bonds that hold a marriage together can dissipate. Today, the couple are busy raising two children—it’s just another challenge that they face with courage, tenacity, and hard work.
Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils: Setting Common Goals
Fans of tennis stars, Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils were over the moon when Svitolina flashed her massive diamond sparkler to the world on her Instagram channel, writing, “Yes!!! To the beginning of our forever.” Her emerald-cut diamond is one of the hottest trends in wedding jewelry, owing to its graceful simplicity. Its major sparkle is complemented by a graceful pavé band, which adds a touch of glamour that suits the star’s graceful fingers. Svitolina has won 15 WTA singles titles and made it to the semifinals of the US Open and Wimbledon. Monfils meanwhile, has won 10 career ATP singles and titles, achieving a highest ranking of World Number Six thus far. The couple also competed at the Tokyo Olympics and in May 2022, they announced they were expecting their first child. For Svitolina and Monfils, life is all about sticking together through thick and thin, and supporting each other to achieve both professional and personal goals.
Roger Federer and Miroslava Vavrinec: Letting Love Lead the Way
Roger Federer fell madly in love the moment he laid eyes on Miroslava Vavrinek at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Some 22 years down the track and after over a decade of marriage, they are together and going as strongly as ever. Federer is one of tennis’ all-time greats, having taken home the victory at Wimbledon an impressive eight times. Vavrinek’s top WTA singles ranking was 76. Although she was fully dedicated to the sport, a persistent foot injury forced her to retire in 2002. Federer has spoken about the pain and suffering his wife had to go through, lamenting that her career had to end so early. However, the athletes soldiered on as a team, and Federer has often stated that one thing both have in common is the idea that family comes first, always. Federer and Vavrinek are now parents to four children (two sets of twins).
Tennis is a high-stress job even for the most tenacious of mind. However, a handful of power couples have shown that life can be better when you are with someone who truly understands the elite athlete mindset. As stated by Andre Agassi, only another athlete knows the hard work and commitment it takes to make it in competitive sport, and these qualities are the very same ones that can make love last a lifetime.
