FANS BID FAREWELL TO AGASSI WITH STANDING OVATION
Trading Markets, CA
Sept 4 2006
(RTTNews) – Andre Agassi bid farewell to his tennis career, aptly at
his home, the United States, and with the U.S. Open at the Flushing
Meadows. But he bowed out of the tournament in the third round itself,
unfortunately yet gracefully. Agassi fans at the New York’s Arthur
Ashe Stadium extended a fitting farewell with standing ovation.
Agassi said, "The scoreboard said I lost today but what the scoreboard
doesn’t say is what I have found. I have found loyalty.
You have pulled for me on the court and in life." He announced his
retirement in June.
Agassi may not be the greatest star of the tennis world or of his own
country or even like his wife and co-player Steffi Graf, who had in
her bag 22 Grand Slam titles. Yet, this charismatic tennis personality
of the U.S. will be the most beloved and most remembered hero beyond
time and period.
And his charity works, mainly through the Andre Agassi Charitable
Foundation and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, and will
make up for all shortcomings and emboss his name in the hall of fame
in future.
YET NOT THE WAY TO END HIS CAREER…
Agassi eventually lost to German Benjamin Becker 7-5 6-7 6-4 7-5,
after giving his fight till the end of the match. Interestingly, this
German is not in any way related to yesteryear fame Boris Becker,
as many believe.
People had been viewing every match of the U.S Open played by Agassi
as potentially the last match of his career. His second round match
against Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus would have been the last match,
but for the leg cramp suffered by the latter in the latter part of
the match. Baghdatis was in control of the match till then.
Even otherwise, his ‘exit’ should be considered gracious given his
transformation, of late, into a polished personality shedding the
bad boy image of his earlier days of the career. A tribute from the
recent loser to Agassi, Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, that "He’s more
than a legend" bodes well for the previous statement.
Of course, his bad boy image went off well with sponsors and ladies,
according to reports. His life post-fame period was full of scenes.
Disregarding all those misgivings, the glorious tennis star of Armenian
origin traveled thus far till the current tournament, the U.S. Open,
at the age of 36.
Yet, if Agassi had clinched the U.S. Open title that would have been
a perfect finale for this ever-fighting tennis ace. His ardent fans
would also have been disappointed at this and would have expected
the exit at a bit higher level.
A NEW TENNIS HORSEPOWER EMERGED
Born to Mike and Elizabeth Agassi on April 29, 1970 in Las Vegas,
Nevada, Andre (KIRK | charts | news | PowerRating) Agassi won 60
titles, including eight Grand Slams, so far, with last title won
being Masters Series, Cincinnati in 2004.
Taking the racket in his hands at the age of three, he started his
lessons in tennis under the tutelage of his father, born Emmanuel
Agassian in 1932 in Armenia, and a boxing champion, who represented
Iran in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. At three itself, he was considered
a prodigy.
He was put in the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida at 13,
and turned professional at 16. He became notable for his game on
court and turned out notorious for his rebellion attitude and his
off-court and sometimes, on-court skirmishes.
IMPECCABLE RECORDS….
Ultimately, Agassi finished his career, span over two decades,
creditably yet with 870 wins and 274 losses, and was not without many
landmark achievements. He became the only eighth male player in the
Grand Slam Era to win 50 singles titles and one of only six players to
have won more than 800 matches. He also ended up winning approximately
$31.1 million in his illustrious career, only next to Sampras.
He was also the quickest player in history to surpass $1 million in
career prize money in December 1988, after just 43 tournaments. In
addition, Agassi and his co-player and wife, Steffi Graf, are the
only players in history won all Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal.
Agassi also holds a few impeccable records to his name. When he won
the 2003 Australian Open, Agassi became the oldest man to win a Grand
Slam singles title since Ken Rosewall won the Australian in 1972. He
was also the only the second man to win a Slam after becoming a father.
Further, he became the oldest men’s player to reach the rank #1 at
the age of 32 years, 11 months – in ATP history. Earlier on 10 April
1995, Agassi became #1 for the first time and has spent a total of
87 weeks at this spot. Also, he was the first unseeded player since
1930 to win the U.S. Open in 1994.
BEST PART OF HIS CAREER…
Interestingly, the best part of his career, and even the history
of tennis was his tussle with archrival, Pete Sampras, one of his
contemporaries that include Jim Courier, Michael Chang, in the
nineties. Tennis circle knew very well that Agassi was not that
powerful server as Sampras or Courier, but was the finest returner
of serve in the game of tennis.
And this unrelenting star of the game had registered his first and
only win over Sampras, which occurred at the Australian Open singles
final in 1995 that yielded the first title for him at this open,
that too in his maiden appearance.
Records show Australian Open to be the favorite of Agassi, which he
won four times. He had won the U.S. Open twice but French Open and
Wimbledon eluded beyond only once each. Interesting feature here
is Agassi also won the Wimbledon title on his maiden appearance in
finals and that was also his only title win here.
He came out of the boycott of All England lawn event in 1992 to win
his first major title defeating Goran Ivanisevic in the finals. In
fact, his title tank was dry in his initial years of turning a pro.
His boycott of Wimbledon was in protest of all-white dress code.
Fortunes turned in his favor after this event, and he climbed up
ladders in rankings to fourth place from 25th. In all, he had entered
15 finals of Grand Slams and produced results of 8 to 7 win-loss ratio.
But it should be said that Agassi’s title chances soared even as his
relationship with Nick soured, and when he turned to fellow American
and pro Brad Gilbert to coach him. It clicked as he clinched two Grand
Slam trophies and an Olympic gold medal over the next couple of years.
However, his game took a beating when he squandered lavishly in
off-court activities. His career graph was on a declining trend with
his dating and marriage with famed Hollywood star Brooke Shields. The
affair that started in 1993 culminated eventually in marriage on
April 19, 1997.
During this period, his ranking plunged to 140s, and Agassi surprised
every one by returning to the arena. He made a humble effort of joining
the Challenger circuit and reviving his fortunes on the main Tour,
as he believed he had some more years left in him.
REEMERGENCE OF A STAR…
Rehabilitation by 1999 after breaking his marriage with the Shields
in annulment saw resurgence of fortunes for Agassi as he claimed the
French Open Grand Slam to become only the fifth man in tennis history
to have won all four. Many linked this success to his dating with
Steffi and subsequent marriage in 2001.
However, age did work against him as he faced chronic back problem.
That happened, it seems he is retiring without completing the full
circle of his career.
AGASSI CHARITY…
Andre Agassi revealed his other side long time back when he founded in
1994, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF | charts | news |
PowerRating) to provide recreational and educational opportunities
for at-risk children in Southern Nevada.
Since its inception, the Foundation has supported more than 20
organizations and raised more than $60 million for programs designed
to enhance a child’s character, self-esteem and career possibilities.
Because all of the Foundation’s operating costs are underwritten,
every penny raised goes directly towards improving the lives of
at-risk youth.
"I have been very blessed and had many opportunities available to
me," said Agassi. "Children today face so many obstacles. If I can
make a positive impact on at least one child’s life, then it has all
been worthwhile."
The Agassi Foundation is also promoting The Andre Agassi College
Preparatory Academy, a charter school for underprivileged children,
funding it jointly with the Nevada State Department of Education. The
academy opens in West Las Vegas.