"Steffi Graf doesn’t do many interviews, I have a lot respect for her" - When Pete Sampras applauded German icon's low-profile post-retirement

Pete Sampras once spoke highly of Steffi Graf, the wife of his longtime rival Andre Agassi, expressing admiration for how she chose a quiet, private life after retirement. Graf stepped away from the limelight completely and never truly returned to the public eye after hanging up her racket.

The Sampras-Agassi rivalry was one of the most iconic in American tennis history. Both were seen as the torchbearers of U.S. tennis in their prime, and they delivered. The duo clashed 34 times on tour, with Sampras leading the head-to-head 20–14.

They never really held back while talking about each other, and in that same spirit, Pete Sampras talked about Steffi Graf during a 2016 interview with USA Today. He praised the German legend for choosing a life away from the spotlight after retirement, saying he respected how she embraced privacy and never sought attention despite her iconic status.

“I believe everyone has the right to do what they want,” he said. “Steffi is a little more on the reserved side. She doesn’t do many interviews. I have a lot of respect for her.”

After winning an incredible 22 Grand Slam titles, Steffi Graf stunned the tennis world by retiring at just 30.

Her final match came on August 13, 1999, at the San Diego Open (now the Citi Open), where she faced Amy Frazier in the quarterfinals. The German was forced to retire mid-match due to a left thigh injury, trailing 6-4, 5-7, 1-2.

Just a few weeks later, on August 30, 1999, she officially announced her retirement from professional tennis.

About the author

Pritha is one of the driving forces behind Sportskeeda's tennis & baseball coverage, serving as an assistant content manager and editor. What began as a casual escape from her tiring biotechnology degree course in early 2022 has blossomed into a passion she loves, cherishes, and breathes every day.

Pritha’s love for the sport was spawned by her dad who showed her clips of "GOAT" Steffi Graf’s matches. Despite a thwarted dream of playing professionally due to injury, she finds solace in reporting the sport, while also mentoring other writers to ensure every article is error-free and top-notch. She double checks credible sources, such as the tournament/player handles and big tennis media outlets, and gives proper credit where required.

Pritha's journey at Sportskeeda is marked by nearly 2000 articles and close to 12 million views, with the "dream-come-true" moment of having her article shared by Chris Evert serving as a highlight of her career. A lifelong Wimbledon fan, Pritha also adores Rafael Nadal, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka.

When she's not seeking unique angles to elevate tennis coverage at Sportskeeda, she loves to channel her inner astrophysics "nerd" by exploring new sci-fi series and movies. A big Lionel Messi, Lewis Hamilton, and Randy Orton fan, she is always ready to engage in sports conversations anytime, anywhere, albeit not without a cup of coffee.

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Edited by Pritha Ghosh