"I have so many other interests... I'd go crazy if I didn't have other things" - When Steffi Graf rejected claims that she 'lived only for tennis'

Steffi Graf once opened up about her diverse interests beyond the world of tennis. The German took issue with the portrayal that she lived only for the sport, taking the opportunity to clarify what her schedule really entailed.

Graf captured widespread attention after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the 1987 French Open, claiming a 6-4, 4-6, 8-6 win over Martina Navratilova in the final. The German went on to disrupt Navratilova and Chris Evert's stranglehold on the World No. 1 ranking and made history by achieving the coveted calendar year Golden Slam, winning all four Majors and the Olympic singles gold in 1988.

Despite all her success, Steffi Graf expressed frustration with the perception that her life revolved entirely around tennis. In a 1989 interview with Sports Illustrated, the German acknowledged that while she dedicated four hours daily to training and practiced intensively during tournaments, she had many interests outside the sport and asserted that she would go “crazy” if tennis was her sole focus.

"It is not amusing to read about how I live only for tennis. I have so many other interests. I train for tennis four hours a day, and during a tournament, I practice and play my match. Then that is it. I'd go crazy if I didn't have other things. Only tennis? This is not possible," Steffi Graf said.

Graf disclosed that she was passionate about old airplanes, vintage cars and archaeology, expressing fascination with things like old bones. She also recounted being captivated by a Picasso painting at the Louvre in Paris and taking time to learn everything about the masterpiece.

"Old airplanes, old cars, old bones, things you get out of the ground. I saw a Picasso at the Louvre and studied everything about that picture," she said.

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"I don't think I'll ever leave" - Steffi Graf on living in her hometown despite tennis success

Steffi Graf - Source: Getty

Despite her tennis success and the accompanying fame, Steffi Graf chose to stay in her hometown of Bruhl, explaining that she valued the familiarity and doubted that she would ever leave.

"Everybody knows me here. I am one of them. I don't think I'll ever leave," Graf said during the same interview.

Her father Peter showed support for his daughter's choice, pointing out that staying in Bruhl allowed Graf to relax and maintain a connection with her roots, which he believed helped her "appeal to the masses."

"I think it's important we stick to our roots. Steffi is comfortable here. She can relax. It's important for her to appeal to the masses, important for the country that we stay," he said.

Later in life, Steffi Graf moved to Las Vegas after marrying fellow tennis legend Andre Agassi, with the couple choosing to raise their kids, Jaden and Jaz, there. The German's mother Heidi and her younger brother Michael eventually joined her to reside in the same community.