"Steffi Graf doesn't have regrets" - Serena Williams' ex-coach rubbishes idea of German legend lamenting early retirement in favor of family & kids

Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, recently dismissed the notion that Steffi Graf regrets her decision to retire early from tennis in order to focus on family and children. Graf hung up her racket at the age of 30 in 1999.

The German tennis legend is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She won 22 singles Grand Slam titles and one doubles Major title throughout her career. She also achieved the feat of winning all four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year, known as the 'Golden Slam,' in 1988 at the Seoul Olympics.

In a recent episode of 'The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast,' Stubbs discussed the emotions that players experience when retiring from tennis, citing examples of other tennis greats such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams, who all have shed tears for their deep love for the sport.

“When you love a sport as much as Rafa [Nadal] and Andy [Murray] and Novak [Djokovic] and Roger [Federer] and Roger said the same thing right. I mean we saw the tears from him and Serena [Williams] like it’s really hard when you love it that much,” Rennae Stubbs said [24:16]

Stubbs also talked about Steffi Graf retiring from tennis fairly early in her career. She stated that while Graf loved playing and competing at the highest level, she did not enjoy the other aspects of being a professional tennis player.

“When you’ve got someone like Steffi Graf who retired at 29 basically before I think before she was even 30. She didn’t really love it. She loved playing, the competing but everything that goes along with it, was not really her jam,” Stubbs said [24:26].

When asked if the former World No. 1 has any regrets about retiring early, Rennae Stubbs explained that Graf is someone who prefers to focus on the present and future rather than dwelling on the past. She said that Graf was content with her decision, as she wanted to prioritize starting a family and having children.

Steffi Graf married American tennis legend Andre Agassi in 2001 in Las Vegas and they have two children together: Jaden Gil Agassi, born on October 26, 2001, and Jaz Elle Agassi, born two years later on October 3, 2003.

“I don’t think so. Steffi's that type of person that doesn’t have regrets. She turns the page and moves on. Yeah she just wanted to have a family and wanted to have kids,” Stubbs added.

Steffi Graf won a Grand Slam in the year she retired

Steffi Graf with the French Open title in 1999 [Image Source: Getty Images]

Steffi Graf won the French Open in the year she retired in 1999. It was her sixth clay court Major title.

Graf was seeded sixth at the tournament and began her campaign by defeating Magdalena Maleeva 6-2, 6-0 in the first round and qualifier Ines Gorrochategui 6-2, 6-4 in the second round. She then overcame Asa Svensson 6-1, 6-4 and Anna Kournikova 6-3, 7-6(4) in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.

In the quarterfinals, the former World No.1 ftriumphed over second seed Lindsay Davenport 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 and the registered a 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4 win over third seed Monica Seles in the semifinals to secure her place in the final.

At the title clash, Steffi Graf defeated top seed Martina Hingis 4–6, 7–5, 6–2 to win the the 1999 French Open, her sixth title at Roland Garros and her 22nd Grand Slam title overall.