Steffi Graf, one of tennis's greatest legends, is making waves on social media just shy of 25 years after her professional retirement. The 55-year-old athlete joined Instagram quietly back in January 2024, but her account gained official verification only last month. Her debut on March 17, 2025, took fans by surprise, and already she has captivated the digital world with her personal insights and updates.
Graf's first post, featuring herself alongside her husband and fellow tennis icon Andre Agassi, welcomed followers with the message: "Welcome to your best source for everything about Steffi Graf! Updates, events, and exclusive posts from the Graf team will follow soon." This introductory message hinted at exciting content to come.
Since her debut, Graf has engaged her audience sparsely, with just three posts firmly establishing her presence. The second post showcased her involvement with the upcoming "Joola 2025 Pickleball Legends Tour" set to take place across Vietnam and China, where Graf and Agassi will make public appearances.
Her third post, offering a glimpse of her back on the tennis court, elicits nostalgia among her followers. Accompanying the images, she reflected on her return by stating, "All the different feelings when you get back on the court." Such sentiments showcase her openness as she navigates the blend of her illustrious past with the present.
Despite her recent entry, Graf has quickly amassed around 21,500 followers within just one week. While impressive, this figure pales compared to Agassi's substantial following of 857,000 fans. The current world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, has even more considerable traction on the platform with 2.6 million followers.
Graf appears selective with whom she follows, currently keeping her list to just 34 accounts. Aside from Agassi, her family comprises most of her followed accounts, including son Jaden Agassi, 23, and daughter Jaz Elle, 21. On the tennis side, she follows former rival Gabriela Sabatini, along with contemporaries such as Andy Roddick, 42, and Mardy Fish, 43, as well as younger stars like Sabalenka and Emma Navarro, who is only 23.
Notably, she also follows notable tennis events, including Wimbledon, and has shown interest in charities, following organizations like Unicef and her own initiative, "Children for Tomorrow," aimed at helping traumatized children.
Her fans' response to Graf's newfound online engagement is overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement. Comment sections are filled with affirmations like "Good for her!" or "Finally!" as they embrace this glimpse of their icon. Others, though, express skepticism and wonder if these posts will reflect her authenticity or be primarily driven by professional marketing interests.
Still, one can't overlook the timing of Graf's digital reentrance: it's aligned with her promotional efforts for the upcoming international pickleball tour. The sport, which combines elements of tennis and other racquet sports, might offer her the opportunity to attract new fans. At the same time, Instagram could serve as a platform to bring awareness to her charitable endeavors with "Children for Tomorrow," fostering connections and support for her causes.
Graf's venture onto Instagram is undoubtedly intriguing for fans and followers alike. It raises curiosity about what her future posts will hold. Will she share nostalgic stories from her decorated career, intimate family moments, or exciting previews of her upcoming activities? Already, the collective excitement is palpable as fans eagerly speculate what Graf will post next.
Currently, Graf joins her husband Agassi, who has been active on the platform since 2013, sharing updates and moments from their life together. Their children, Jaden and Jaz Elle, have also been part of the Instagram community since 2016 and 2020, respectively. Graf’s entry finally completes the family's digital trifecta.
Steffi Graf remains one of the most triumphant athletes, with 22 Grand Slam titles and the distinction of being the only player to achieve the illustrious "Golden Slam"—winning all four Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic gold medal, all within the same year—1988. After her retirement, Graf has maintained a low profile, engaging significantly less with the public until now.
Living primarily out of the spotlight since 1999 has made her guarded about her personal life. This shift marks both a return to the public eye and potentially to her fanbase, indicated by her radical decision to step onto Instagram. Here, she is seizing the moment to reconnect, share her experiences, and promote what’s next for her without losing the essence of her carefully guarded persona.
With this social media debut, Graf is taking her first adventures on the digital court, and it is not only thrilling for her fans but for the tennis community excited to see what this icon will do next. Her unique presence on this platform is set to create delightful engagements and could lay the groundwork for inspiring initiatives and updates for years to come.
