Andre Agassi’s life in retirement appears to be busier than when was touring on the pro circuit, and that was more than evident when he made a surprise public appearance at the Westside Tennis and Fitness Club in Houston, Texas yesterday, following the US Men’s Clay Court Championship singles final.
Although a media alert was sent to members of the press the preceding night, the email was vague and officials remained hush-hush regarding the event.
But there was no hiding anything once Agassi and his wife, fellow tennis legend Steffi Graf, appeared at the club with a camera crew in tow. The two legends were in Houston to announce their latest partnership – this one with none other than Oprah Winfrey. Agassi and Graf will star in a reality show called “Oprah Winfrey’s Big Gift,” which pits them against skaterboarder Tony Hawk to see who can raise the most money for charity in two days.
“When Oprah asks, you just say yes,” said Agassi. “It’s a show about believing in the best of the human spirit.”
Agassi, who has spent the last decade heavily involved in fundraising for children’s charities – in particular, education for at-risk youth – is attempting to raise money for a Houston area school in need.
“We have a task. We’ll have only a few days to work on it. And the task is to help this elementary school out which is about 40 miles from here. It’s an at-risk school. The children there need help as much as any children in society. They need computers, books. They don’t even have a playground outside. It’s been broken into 12 times. We have a challenge. The challenge is to be effective, and not just what we do but how we do it. And I think the difference will be reflected in these kids’ lives.”
Agassi and Graf paid a two-hour visit to the school prior to their appearance to see the conditions there.
To raise funds, Agassi played auctioneer on the main stadium court at the club, pawning off star-studded luxurious trips to his hometown in Las Vegas to see shows, meet celebrities, stay in fancy hotel suites, and have meals cooked by a personal chef. The top-selling item, however, was a tennis lesson and lunch date with Agassi and Graf in Sin City. That item alone contributed $70,000 to the $210,000 pot they garnered in little over a half-hour.
Houston native and Tennessee Titan’s star quarterback, Vince Young, who was in Nashville at the time, also donated $15,000 to the cause. Young’s girlfriend, who was in attendance and happened to be speaking to her boyfriend on her cell phone, announced that the footballer wanted to pitch in, increasing the grand total to nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
To add entertainment value, Agassi and Graf had a hit with some lucky youngsters, holding hands – his right to her left – to make the odds somewhat more even. In a twist, however, Agassi inadvertently struck his wife in the face with his tennis racquet while following through on a left-handed forehand. After being hit, Graf clutched her mouth and headed to sidelines with Agassi hastily following. She was eventually escorted off the court and attended to by a doctor.
“She’s okay. It was an unfortunate accident,” Agassi later told a room of journalists gathered to hear him speak about his latest project. Graf required three stitches, but suffered no tooth damage. But love doesn’t usually hurt for this couple, who have kept their relationship strong while increasing their involvement in outside activities.
“I feel like I am busier than ever but without the physical and mental dramas, which give me the platform to enjoy the time with my family that I do have more than I did before,” said Agassi.
While he admits that he has not picked up a tennis racquet often in his post-retirement period, he has remained active in his business endeavors and philanthropic duties. But he focuses plenty of attention closer to home as well – raising their two children is a top priority.
For Agassi, it’s now about “living life on my own terms, which is a great luxury.”