Columnist Kate Maddox: Andre and Steffi: Hitched or unhitched?

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, only in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach her at [email protected]. To subscribe to the Sun, call 383-0400.

The rumor mill started running on Thursday as word leaked that tennis superstars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf had secretly tied the knot while on vacation in Kauai, Hawaii, last week.

Reps for the two heavy hitters declined to comment on the news, stating that they don't make a policy of commenting on gossip, but that they hadn't heard anything about nuptials.

Reports directly from Kauai had the pair joined at the lips for most of their vacation, and sources tell me that the live-in loves rarely left their private Hawaiian hideaway -- a secluded villa owned by a friend of Agassi's.

Although the story still lacks official confirmation, sources here say it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the two did marry. It's no secret in tennis circles that Graf is enamored with local hero Agassi and is looking to settle down and start a family. She already spends most of her time at his side -- this week she's been spotted in the stands in Melbourne, cheering him on as he warms up for next week's Australian Open.

Agassi, for his part, has made no secret of their relationship. Graf, a seven-time Wimbledon champ, was with him when he hosted his Grand Slam for Kids charity event here and he's been squiring her around town since late last fall, when Graf was rumored to have taken up residence at Agassi's Vegas pad.

Friends of Agassi, who is currently ranked No. 1, say the two appear to be perfect for each other -- Graf is able to relate to the pressures of Agassi's time-consuming career. But Agassi's friend and attorney, Perry Rogers, believes the marriage story just isn't true and he refused to comment further on the rumors, stating that it's not his policy to respond to gossip.

Agassi was divorced from actress Brooke Shields last April after two years of marriage. Shields has reportedly moved on as well. She's been dating Hollywood writer Chris Henchy for almost a year now.

Subpoenas are flying all over town in the aftermath of "The Rat Pack is Back" show at the Desert Inn.

Tina Sinatra has reportedly retained the services of high-profile attorney Mort Gallane and he's already taken depositions from 10 to 15 people who were associated with the Rat Pack "tribute" show -- which closed at the D.I. in December.

Although there have been speculative reports that the David Cassidy -produced show will re-open at the Sahara in a few months, representatives for the hotel-casino won't confirm anything, insisting that although the two camps have talked, a decision has not been reached and there is nothing in ink at this point.

The fate of the show's future may not be determined yet, but it is safe to say that there is some serious concern around town over the ongoing rumors of litigation between the Sinatra camp and the Desert Inn/Cassidy folks. Those bystanders being drawn into the conflagration via subpoena are not happy -- apparently most of those who have been deposed at this point had mainly peripheral dealings with the "Rat Pack" production.

It seems despite rumors that the dust had settled amicably between the Sinatra daughters and the show, no agreement has been reached and there are still some lingering issues -- mostly financial -- to be resolved.

Two new names will be taking over for the departing Jasmine Guy and Charlotte D'Amboise in the Mandalay Bay production of "Chicago -- The Musical" starting Tuesday.

Vicki Lewis, who played the ditzy red-headed secretary on the NBC comedy "News Radio" for six years and who is the real-life paramour of actor Nick Nolte, will take over the role of Velma Kelly. And Nana Visitor, formerly Major Kira Nerys on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," will step into the character of Roxie Hart.

Madonna recently bowed out of the Super Bowl halftime show -- she was scheduled to sing Don McLean's song "American Pie" -- and now she's turned her sights on a concert in ... Las Vegas??? That's the word on the Strip.

Sources in the know say the Material Girl is reportedly in preliminary talks with entertainment people at both the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay.

Perhaps Madonna is disappointed that she missed out on the New Year's one-night-only megabucks deals in Las Vegas and now she's looking to get her own piece of the pie. More to come on this one.

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