Copyright dailyrecord
Andre Agassi, the tennis rebel famed for his mullet, earrings and a streak of defiance that rocked the sport in the 90s, remains one of its most iconic figures. The American star turned professional at a tender age of 16 and swiftly rose to prominence, amassing 60 ATP Tour singles titles over a span of two decades. His illustrious career is adorned with eight Grand Slam victories - including four Australian Opens, a French Open , Wimbledon and two US Opens - making him one of only five men in the Open Era to clinch a career Grand Slam. He also secured an Olympic gold in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games, solidifying his status as an international superstar. Away from the court, Agassi's journey was as dramatic as his baseline duels: from a troubled youth propelled by his demanding father to a mid-career slump and triumphant resurgence, culminating in his retirement in 2006 after an emotional farewell at the US Open . Now, at 55, Agassi's net worth is estimated to be around £108million ($145m), bolstered by savvy investments and endorsements, but his passion for racket sports - and life beyond tennis - shows no sign of diminishing. This year marked a fresh chapter for Agassi, with two high-profile roles thrusting him back into the spotlight. Firstly, he made his debut as a co-commentator for the BBC at Wimbledon, providing analysis during the men's semi-final between defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz, reports the Mirror . Agassi, who memorably secured the Wimbledon title in 1992, provided a goldmine of wisdom, sharing stories from his playing days and analysing the action with razor-sharp tennis insight. The BBC struck gold by securing the American legend, with his slick delivery and deep knowledge earning comparisons to the very best in broadcasting. Fans were absolutely raving about his performance, flooding social media with demands for the American to join permanently. One viewer wrote on X: "Thoroughly enjoying Andre Agassi's commentary... has a great voice to listen to and enjoying all the anecdotes." Another hailed him "a revelation in the commentary box," whilst a third begged: "Petition to just have Andre Agassi on comms." Agassi's second new role came as captain of Team World at the 2025 Laver Cup, stepping into the shoes of fellow tennis legend John McEnroe in a job that blends strategy, motivation and star power. The competition, which pits a European team against players from around the world, saw Agassi team up with assistant captain Pat Rafter to guide a squad spearheaded by Fritz and Alex de Minaur. With Agassi at the helm, Team World reclaimed the trophy, defeating Team Europe - a side boasting Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune and Casper Ruud - 15-9. During his triumph speech afterwards, Agassi relished the moment as captain in his debut year. "It's been one hell of a week," he said, before turning to his team directly: "Thank you for trust, thank you for buying in, thank you for allowing me into your lives for a brief period of time." The tournament marked a new era for the Laver Cup, with Agassi's passion - reflected in entertaining moments such as his stunned reaction to a set point - breathing fresh life into the competition. Putting money into pickleball Away from his broadcasting and captaincy roles, Agassi has deepened his ties to the booming racket sports scene through a substantial investment in pickleball and padel. In June, he took part in a £15m Series A funding round for Ballers, a start-up launching high-end indoor sports and entertainment facilities across America. Backed by fellow sporting stars including Sloane Stephens, Kim Clijsters and basketball icon Dwyane Wade, Ballers aims to create social hubs blending pickleball, padel and other activities with food and entertainment. Agassi, a devoted advocate of pickleball's growth, shared his enthusiasm for the venture on Instagram. "It's the fastest-growing sport in the world, possible even in history," he said. "It's a low point of entry, nobody is intimidated to try it, so I really believe in it from a participation standpoint... it's a good thing to promote and that's why I love it. My public company, Agassi Sports Entertainment... anything that's fast-growing you're going to have a lot of people fighting over it, it's low-hanging fruit. "I want to take the winners of those people and give them a vehicle to go public and give a return to their investors and expand what they do. That's the hope. The hope is to be ahead of the curve and to be a facilitator for bigger growth." This year saw Agassi compete professionally in pickleball, securing a mixed doubles title and participating in exhibition matches, occasionally partnered with his wife, Steffi Graf. Four guests at his wedding Yet despite these professional ventures, Agassi's personal life remains firmly anchored in family values, a stark departure from his high-octane tennis days. His enduring marriage to wife Steffi began in the late 1990s, sparked by a training session arranged by their respective coaches. After Agassi's divorce from actress Brooke Shields, his romance with Graf blossomed, leading to an intimate wedding ceremony in October 2001 at their Las Vegas home. Reflecting their preference for privacy, just four people attended: Agassi, Graf and their respective mothers. There were no lavish celebrations or a list of celebrity guests, just a simple ceremony. Days later, they welcomed their son Jaden Gil, followed by their daughter Jaz Elle in 2003. Since retiring from professional tennis, Agassi and Graf have opted for a quiet family life, shielding their children from the pressures of professional tennis. Jaden chose to follow baseball, playing at the University of Southern California, while Jaz has shown an interest in dance and supported her father's ventures, including his appearance at the Laver Cup.
