Q & A
Will you visit this year`s US Open in New York?
I will be in New York during the US Open to visit the “Women Who Make a Difference Award” with my partner Longines and to attend some business meetings. But unfortunately I won’t have the time to go to the US Open, since I want to be back home in time for my son’s baseball match. However, I will definitely follow the tournament on TV with great interest.
Have you planned any tennis exhibition matches with your husband this year?
No, not yet, but I am very looking forward to visit Lynchburg, Virginia at the end of September to officially start the 10th annual Amazing Mile Children’s Run. The run will take place as part of the Virginia 10 Miler festivities and is sponsored by our partner Genworth Financial. If you happen to be close – come join us and run along!
Do you have a tip how to motivate yourself best to work out?
Often I set myself little goals in my workout program, such as riding the bike only 15 minutes or take a walk. Once you get started, the mood to continue and the motivation for regular training comes automatically. Then the body needs exercise and the overcoming is a lot easier. Try it out!
Which are your favorite sweets?
For me I don’t so much crave chocolate, but rather pastry, cookies and cake. I can hardly past a bakery without going in. But as long as eating sweet things is balanced with a healthy diet and exercise, I enjoy treating myself to sweets every day.
Which new sports would you like to try out?
Basically I am always very open to new sports. After my tennis career I started snowboarding and on occasion I would like to try windsurfing. Through my son, I have learned a lot about baseball. I even stood in the “batting cage” myself a couple of times. A while ago I even tried to skateboard, but some things are better left to younger people.
Do you prefer to work out in the morning or in the evening?
I am definitely a morning person when it comes to working out. Since the time difference between Germany and Las Vegas is 9 hours, I usually do my business calls in the early morning. Because of that, the days become very long and sometimes I lack the energy to work out in the afternoon. But if do workout in the morning, my body stays energized for the rest of the work day.
Which new projects are you working on with your foundation?
This May, Children for Tomorrow organized a five-day summer camp for refugee kids close to Soltau, Germany, who just have been living in Germany for a short time. Further we are working at full speed on the finishing and interior of the therapy center for refugee children in Hamburg. Outside of Germany we started our latest project in Uganda and it is developing very well. In summer of 2009, we started an ambulance service for war-traumatized children in Nulu, North Uganda. And by recently building traditional Ugandan round huts, we are able to offer the children therapy in a familiar and child-oriented environment.
What are you reading now?
Unfortunately I do not often take the time to read books, but last I read the book “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin and I highly recommend it. It is about Greg Mortensen, who after a failed attempt to reach the peak of K2 in Pakistan, finds his purpose in life to help people, and especially girls, in the remote areas of North-Pakistan and Afghanistan by building schools. This story has touched me personally and also strenghtened the awareness of how important the role of basic school education is for children’s futures.
Which education or studies would you have chosen if you had not been so focused on a tennis career?
My fields of interest are definitely History and Art, and I guess I would have chosen to study history of arts or general history. I also view photography as a kind of art, but it has always only been a hobby for me. I hope to take some more time for photography in the near future, because there is so much more to learn about it.
I heard that you are interested in art? Who is your favorite artist?
That is right, I enjoy visiting museums in my spare time and a great side effect of the travelling during my tennis career was to be able to visit many exhibitions in different cities.
It is difficult emphasize one artist, but I especially like Giovanni Giacometti and impressionism. What I like about art is that you always discover new artist and over the time you develop a better understanding of their work, thoughts and lives. Also, some artists with their unique combinations of colors provoke diverse emotions. During a visit to the museum or a gallery I let myself into the pictures and their stories completely.
I wish I could be in New York. Anyway, god luck to your son for his baseball match.
I have been a Steffi Fan since donkey’s years now and its wonderful to read what she is doing with her life now,she is a fantastic person and a role model to all who would like to follow on her footsteps .I wish her all the best in life .Thanks for being what you are, you have never disappointed your fans on and of the field.
Priya
Calcutta
India
hi Steffi,
I have been a big time fan of yours for donkeys years now, youve been a role model to all your fans , thanks for being the best , even when i grow old i will always proudly say that i am from Steffis era,you were tht good .
have a wonderful life
Priya
Calcutta , India
I always adored Steffi as a tennis player, but I’m even prouder of all the work she (and Andre) have done for children and those throughout the world who are less fortunate than many, and are dealing with serious situations…those who need help and have nowhere to turn. God bless you both, and keep up the great, inspired work. And my best to your beautiful children.
thanks for the latest post! Its always nice to read new things about you, Stefanie!
Hi Stefi,
We met at the Longines event. I wanted to say thank you for taking the time out to hit with each and every one of us! it was really an honor. I wanted to ask you some questions. Will height effect my tennis if I want to be a pro? And also I need to learn to deal with pressure. What do you suggest? I love tennis but its an expensive sport. I feel like I need to spend a lot to get great coaching. I think I am a really good player and i really want to be a pro. When I am in clinic other girls can’t wait for it to be over, but I don’t feel that way. I am getting ready for high school in another year. I am wondering if I should be home schooled to play more tennis? What do you think of home schooling and is it the only way to eventually become a pro?
Thanks again it was great meeting you and Billie. : )
Dear Sabrina
It was great fun to meet so many tennis fans at the Central Park. Thanks for joining us!
There are a lot of different ways to become a pro and home schooling is not a necessity. Also, height will not deter becoming a champion, as there are a lot of professional players who are either small or tall.
It is difficult to assess your situation from the distance, but I think it is important to discuss those questions with your parents thoroughly, because pursuing to become a professional tennis player requires a lot of time commitment and support. It is an individual decision, which you should make together with your family.
It is good to hear that you have so much fun playing tennis. If you keep the passion for something and really want to become a pro, you will find a way.
All the best, Stefanie
Liebe Stefanie,
als Du vor 11 Jahren Deinen Rücktritt vom aktiven Tennis bekanntgabst, da musste ich damals schon schlucken und fragte mich, ob man in Zukunft von Dir wohl noch etwas “hören” würde. Ich verfolgte damals jedes match, habe unzählige matches auf Video (immer noch), sammelte jede Menge “Fanmaterial” und muß sagen, ich bin richtig beeindruckt, wieviel es nun von Dir zu hören, zu lesen etc. gibt. Habe natürlich auch mit großem Interesse Andre’s Buch gelesen und war des öfteren berührt, wie offen er es gestaltete. Nun, ich bin immer noch Dein Fan, inzwischen auch glückliche Mutter und freue mich über Deine blogs, die tolle Homepage und somit alle weiteren News von Dir und Deiner Familie. Vielen Dank, daß Du “uns” damit weiterhin erhalten geblieben bist.
Ich wünsche Dir und Deiner Familie alles erdenklich Gute und Gottes Segen!
Eva-Maria
Hi Steffi,
I just looked up some of Giovanni Giocometti’s work, and you’re right. His paintings are quite something!
All the best,
Mark
Hello Steffi!!!! i´m from Mexico, City.
Would you like to visit Mexico city???
Giovanni Giacometti, yes!!
Hallo Steffi,
es ist immer wieder schön von dir zu lesen. Ein bischen ein Leben weiter verfolgen nach dem Tennis, es ist sicher nicht immer leicht zwischen Beruf und Familie unter einen Hut zu bringen. Aber es scheint dir zu gelingen. Ich freue mich wieder bald von dir zu lesen.
Liebe Grüße aus Berlin
Sandra
Steffi,
Gruesse aus Indiana! Gruesse von dem Loewen!
Ich habe falsch getippt; deshalb war meinen letzten Blog noch nicht fertig, bevor er geschickt wurde.
Claudia haette es gern, von dir zu hoeren! Es ist lange her, seitdem sie mit dir spricht. Beide von euch haben es natuerlich beschaeftigt. hoffentlich geht es euch gut.
Ihre Telefonnummer ist noch dieselbe!
mfg
Keith
Hi Steffi !
The US Open is just not the same without you playing, but yesterday’s match between Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniak was very gripping, and reminded me of the fantastic tennis playing of you, Fraulein Forehand ! ( as Bud Collins was always found of naming you, too !)
The Queen Mary 2 got back to New York from Hamburg by way of Southhampton, England, on Saturday September 5, and luckily narrowly outraced Hurricane Earl across the Atlantic ! But it was a close call ! Was chagrined to learn that your Longines “Women who Make a Difference Award” was already held on September 1, instead of September 8, before I got back ! But I hope you had a great gala and enjoyed your time in New York !
Did you get a chance to visit Soho ? A new Chanel boutique opened in Soho this weekend . Do you like the fashion designs of Karl Lagerfeld? As you may know, he is also affiliated with Chanel. If you would like to see the opening, video & photos will be posted about it on September 10 at http://soho-2010.chanel.com !
Have a great time at your son’s baseball game and watch out for those flying foul balls, Steffi ! Have fun in the batting cage !
Auf wiedersehen for now,
Peter
You are the only reason i watched tennis, started to watch tennis and stoppped watching tennis. though i was only 5 or 6 when you started playing and winning. My regards and respect for you always as you are and would be the greatest. we may like to see sharapova or kounikova for their beauty but the only reason we watched you was me and my dad always wanted you to win. Never missed a single match. Thanks a lot.
one more thing, since you still may have a lot of money, i hope you can invest in India, we have talent that is purely wasted, please if you can put an academy here. We’ll be highly indebited. The west has enough of facilities, India has lot of corruption, with support of people like you, i’m sure we can change the change the destinies of many who dream but dont get facilities and proper guidance and training.
Hallo Steffi,
Sie sagen, dass Ihr Sohn Baseball spiele. Und wer ist sein lieblingsspieler im MLB??
Seit lange finde Ich eine gewisse geistige Gemeinsamkeit als Sportler zwischen Ihnen und Ichiro Suzuki von Seattle Mariners.
Ich hoffe, auch Sie und Ihr Sohn moegen sein wunderbares Spiel zu sehen!!
Hallo Frau Graf-Agassi
ich weiß nicht wie ich mit Ihnen in Verbindung treten kann, aber es ist mir soo wichtig!
Ich habe von Ihrem Angagement für Kinder in Las-Vegas gelesen und bin dadurch auf Sie gekommen.
Meine Enkel und Urenkel leben auch dort in sehr großen Problemen und ich weiß nicht wie ich ihnen von hier aus helfen kann.
Ein Rat von Ihnen wäre mir sehr wichtig und ich hoffe, irgendwie mit Ihnen in Verbindung treten zu können!!!!
Ich werde die Hoffnung nicht aufgeben und verbleibe
mit freundlichen Grüßen
Dear Tennis legend, Stefanie,
ich habe den Schläger vor zwei Stunden neben der Tür hingestellt nach meinem privaten Tennistraining. Ich sitze immer noch in meinen Tennisklamotten und bin total Lustlos. Ich bin nach meinen Trainings fast immer enttäuscht. Ich bin jetzt 34, bin seit ich 7 Jahre Alt war immer ein wettkämpfliche Sportlerin. Die Sportarten damals waren ausdauer Sports. Ich bin ein phanastischer Sportler, trainiere ich sehr gern und fleissig. Aber Tennis! Mit dem Tennis kann ich mich schlecht messen und deswegen habe kein Beweis in meiner Hand, dass ich mich entwickle. Was ich sehe, dass der Ball oft “out” ist, oder ich halte den Schläger schon wieder schief. Ich habe übrigens Tennis mit 8 angefangen, bloss es war immer ein zweites Sport und nie Wettkamp. Jetzt bin ich mit zwei Kinder zu Hause und lege ich alles -was Sport bezieht- auf Tennis. Ich bin davon fest überzeugt, dass ich in meinem Alter noch auf Amateur Niveau sehr gut werden kann. Aber trotzdem bin ich enttäuscht nach meiner Trainerstunde… Könntest Du dazu etwas mir sagen, damit ich mich besser fühle? Andre hat super schön beschrieben im Open, was alles im Kopf von einem Pro Tennisspieler abspielt, also ich bin sicher, dass Du verstehst genau, wo ich momentan mental stehen geblieben bin.
Vielen Dank im Voraus! und danke für die Möglichket!
Sophie
Hi Steffi,
Do your children speak German?
I am very happy that you are leading such a fulfilling life.
Take care,
Gaby
Hallo Steffi!
Warum hast du ausgerechnet Andre Agassi geheiratet?
Lg
Alexandra
ich versuche es nochmal, denn ich bin mir so so sicher, daß Sie meinen Urenkel in Las-Vegas helfen könnten, oder mir wenigstens einen Rat geben würden wie ich ihnen helfen kann!!
Ich habe auch versucht über die Hamburger Filiale für “Children for Tomorrow” eine Verbindung zu bekommen. Der Anrufbeantworter nimmt zwar meine Bitten und Erklärungen auf, aber ich denke, auch dort wird es im Sande verlaufen, schade!
Dabei hatte ich all`meine Hoffnungen in Sie gesetzt, weil ich Ihre Arbeit mit Kindern schon des öfteren im Fernsehen verfolgen konnte, und Sie sich dort vor Ort wohl auch besser mit den Bestimmungen und Gesetzen auskennen!
Wenn irgend möglich, so geben Sie mir doch bitte über meine Mail-Adresse (sie wird doch sicher angezeigt) Bescheid!!!
Viele Grüße von einer verzweifelten Großmutter
aus Deutschland und alles Gute für Sie und Ihre Familie
Steffi,You have always been an inspiration for me.. Your persona has always been mesmerizing, on and off the court. You epitomise grace and beauty like noone else does.. My sincere and heartfelt wishes to you for a wonderful life ahead.. May you fill people’s lives with joy and happiness always.. Its my desire to meet you once before I die!!!
Love you steffi..
Happy Anniversary Steffi………………………………
Ich bin und bin für viele vielen Jahre, ein enormer Fan von Ihrem gewesen. Dieses ist von Ihrem an die Gerichtsfähigkeit sowie Ihre humanitären Bemühungen aus von ihm wahr. Ich glaube ihm eine Ehre und ein Privileg, ein Teil Ihrer Website zu sein. Ich muss sagen, da ich in Los Angeles dieser Sommer war und Ihr wunderbares Ehemannspiel Johnnie-Mac in einer Ausstellung vor L.A. Open überwachte, ich war disappoointed Ihr war nicht dort auch. Sie sind einer meiner beispiellosen Lieblingsathleten! Ich wünsche nichts aber das Beste für Sie und Ihre Familie in allen Ihren Bemühungen.
Gott segnen,
Douglas Hall
BTW-Nicht nitpick, aber der richtige Ausdruck, wenn man mit Baseball sich befasst, gekennzeichnet sie als ein Spiel, nicht eine Abgleichung: -)
Dear Steffi’s fan,
I am searching the man who proposed to Steffi as “steffi will you marry me” because I really love this moment when I watch this video will you please help me?