BDAZ
Hall of Fame
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/n...een-during-a-match-at-the-news-photo/57311896
Andre was none too happy with his Ultimate Pro.
Andre was none too happy with his Ultimate Pro.
Agassi returning to Nike?!!!
- Thread starter FabulousDD
- Start date
i think he played david wheaton in the final and he was returning serves so hard with that racquet that wheaton couldnt even get to net fast enough and was hitting his 1st volleys in no mans land
Shaolin
G.O.A.T.
It's the honeymoon period..it gets us all! You play like a god for a while but once the novelty wears off you're grabbing your old racquets out of the bag as fast as possible.
vandre
Hall of Fame
thanks for the stroll down "memory lane" guys!
tw said (and i'm sure they'll jump in here if i misrepresent what they said) that "the pro one os limited edition was the iconic agassi frame and was more closely associated with him than the yellow and blue version" or something to that effect. since we're talking about different molds, perhaps there was a problem with locating/ working from the yellow/ blue mold (just spitballing)? i wasn't really happy about that but i still bought 2 of the tw orange and grey pro ones so they still got my moolahh! i was hoping at some point they would do a special run of pro ones with the yellow and blue pj (even if it was the limited edition copy) but i think it turned into a headache after they started (i kept hearing about problems with the grommets). when the donnay name was sold and the started mass producing sticks under it i figured tw was finally done with the pro one retro experiment.
i do have a couple of the yellow and blue fomula pros and a formula (back to the belgian donnays). i like them a bunch (but i only use them on "special occasions") but i can feel the frame flex in the throat on impact. i've never hit with the yellow and blue pro one but if it does the same thing there's no wonder he didn't like. what he says about it in his bio is that "Now, with the Donnay, I feel as if I am playing with a broomstick. I feel as if I'm playing left-handed, as if I've suffered a brain injury. Every thing is slightly off. The ball doesn't listen to me. The ball doesn't do what I say" (p. 128 ). The chronology in the book is a little different though. The book says that aa showed up at Indian Wells in 89 with a POG OS with a D stencil. The next day after losing in the quarters, 3 Donnay execs have a "come to Jesus" meeting with aa and tell him he has to stop using the pog. they then agree to duplicate the pog os and aa takes it to rome that year and beats sampras 2 and 1 with it (pp. 128-129). He might have been unhappy with the yellow/ blue pro one at somepoint though.
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ace0001a
Semi-Pro
Yeah those were some great racquets from back in the day. Actually I think people who wanted Yellow/Blue would've been with the "Limited Edition" mold, because when you think about it, the reworked version Agassi used was always the same mold through the 3 different paint jobs. I think he probably only used the original Pro One OS mold once and didn't like it...so it would've been cool if TW had made their reissue available in Yellow/Blue too too, but oh well. I did pick up one for myself as well. I also owned an Pink-Orange/Grey Ultimate Pro back in the day as well, think I sold it to a high school buddy as well.
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
There was a good article in Tennis Mag (back when they still put out a decent product) about Agassi's racquet change and potential suitors at that time. Pretty much everyone came to the table but I specifically remember Head, Yonex, Fox, Snauwaert and Donnay being mentioned. The little guys were trying to catch lightning in a bottle with Andre. Consequently, I remember Donnay going from a perimeter brand (if the shop even carried them) in most shops to commanding Babolat-level shelf space.
The Isomotion31
Semi-Pro
This image always fascinated me... I wonder why it never materialized?
I used to use that shirt when I played in high school. Memories!
vandre
Hall of Fame
i couldn't find that article, but i did find this one which said that aa got paid $6 million from donnay. http://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/28/s...ize-the-top-honors.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
not a bad chunk of change for '89, huh? :twisted:
anyway, sorry op for going donnay all over this thread....
....yes, it would be great to get some new aa inspired nike gear. i thought that these
sort of reminded me of these
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Yup. AT&T Challenge against Jaime Yzaga, if I'm not mistaken. Dang I have a weird memory...
FabulousDD
New User
Means that nobody has some valuable info about the original topic...I really wonder if it's true...or simple rumor from tennistv...
ucr_tennis90
Rookie
AA just posted a pic on his facebook of him standing under a nike sign that says "Back home"
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Sinner
Professional
http://nikeinc.com/news/tennis-icon-andre-agassi-rejoins-nike
NIKE, Inc. is delighted to announce an exciting new chapter with sports icon Andre Agassi. The renewed partnership will focus on a shared passion for tennis, along with a commitment to help kids become more active and realize their full potential through sports.
The collaboration is the latest in a long and successful relationship between Nike and Agassi that dates back 25 years. From the early days of his sporting career in 1988, Nike proudly supported Agassi as he established himself as a one of the greatest players in tennis history. The winner of no less than 60 career titles, Agassi's powerful style of play and charismatic personality helped to draw a new, global audience to the game of tennis. By the end of his professional career, he had inspired a new generation to take to the courts.
NIKE, Inc. co-founder and chairman Phil Knight is excited to have Agassi back in the Nike family.
“As one of the world’s greatest tennis players, Agassi embodied the passion, dedication and determination of the Nike brand. As a philanthropist and campaigner, he continues to share Nike’s commitment to inspire the young generation with his Just Do It spirit. We are honored to welcome him back.”
Off the court, Agassi’s achievements have been equally inspiring. Since his retirement from the game, Agassi has worked tirelessly to create an education model that combines a diverse curriculum with physical activity throughout the school day to help curb a growing epidemic of physical inactivity around the world. Agassi will team with Nike to advocate for change, leveraging the Designed to Move framework for action that Nike helped create with more than 70 expert organizations in the fields of physical education, health and the built environment (e.g., parks, green spaces and public transportation).
“The past was exciting, emotional and life-changing for all of us. The future, however, is a landscape filled with unlimited opportunity and a canvas anxiously waiting to be filled in,” Agassi says. "Designed to Move has opened new horizons. Coming back together with Nike through this partnership will have a multiplying effect on this and future generations.”
#BACKHOME. @niketennis @nike twitter.com/AndreAgassi/st…
— Andre Agassi (@AndreAgassi) May 13, 2013
NIKE, Inc. is delighted to announce an exciting new chapter with sports icon Andre Agassi. The renewed partnership will focus on a shared passion for tennis, along with a commitment to help kids become more active and realize their full potential through sports.
The collaboration is the latest in a long and successful relationship between Nike and Agassi that dates back 25 years. From the early days of his sporting career in 1988, Nike proudly supported Agassi as he established himself as a one of the greatest players in tennis history. The winner of no less than 60 career titles, Agassi's powerful style of play and charismatic personality helped to draw a new, global audience to the game of tennis. By the end of his professional career, he had inspired a new generation to take to the courts.
NIKE, Inc. co-founder and chairman Phil Knight is excited to have Agassi back in the Nike family.
“As one of the world’s greatest tennis players, Agassi embodied the passion, dedication and determination of the Nike brand. As a philanthropist and campaigner, he continues to share Nike’s commitment to inspire the young generation with his Just Do It spirit. We are honored to welcome him back.”
Off the court, Agassi’s achievements have been equally inspiring. Since his retirement from the game, Agassi has worked tirelessly to create an education model that combines a diverse curriculum with physical activity throughout the school day to help curb a growing epidemic of physical inactivity around the world. Agassi will team with Nike to advocate for change, leveraging the Designed to Move framework for action that Nike helped create with more than 70 expert organizations in the fields of physical education, health and the built environment (e.g., parks, green spaces and public transportation).
“The past was exciting, emotional and life-changing for all of us. The future, however, is a landscape filled with unlimited opportunity and a canvas anxiously waiting to be filled in,” Agassi says. "Designed to Move has opened new horizons. Coming back together with Nike through this partnership will have a multiplying effect on this and future generations.”
#BACKHOME. @niketennis @nike twitter.com/AndreAgassi/st…
— Andre Agassi (@AndreAgassi) May 13, 2013
RCizzle65
Hall of Fame
Why would Addidas drop him? They jumped on him when Nike didn't want to pay up, and they even helped out with his charity. There's also the point that was brought up, what about him training the tennis pros signed to Addidas with Gil Reyes? Huge blow to Addidas.
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Thepunisher
New User
This is the best news from Nike Tennis since they were dumb to not support his charity until now. So psyched!!! The line has never been the same since he left. I can't for the retros again!!! They haven't released many of his since the the Lavas and then hybrids.
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estigma2001
Hall of Fame
Cool!!! now bring back this!!!
The Isomotion31
Semi-Pro
FINALLY Been coming into this threat hoping for the news! This is awesome! Can't wait to see what comes out.
Thepunisher
New User
I still have the shirt new with tags. One of my favorites of all time!
FabulousDD
New User
Hey hey!
I'm pretty proud of my info lol. Now it's official.
I told you so
Back home, feel so true.
#Happy
I'm pretty proud of my info lol. Now it's official.
I told you so
Back home, feel so true.
#Happy
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
'Return on investment'? Can you prove that AA gave Adidas any boost?
+1. Dri-fit fake jean shorts?
vandre
Hall of Fame
you should have been here long enough to know these board is comprised almost entirely of fanboys of some player or another. if all the fed fanboys can go crazy over fed's 2006 uso night outfit or whatever, then we agassi fanboys are entitled to get a little crazy over a big announcement such as this. you aren't required to like it and you aren't required to post on this thread either. if you don't happen to like it, your browser comes equipped with a "back" button. i suggest you learn to use it.
btw, "dry-fit fake denim shorts" just might be possible. years ago, yonex put these out
brinkeguthrie
Hall of Fame
so did adidas drop him? And what about steffi?
theyve released alot of air trainers and air challenge shoes without him, and modern technology with lava designs so not sure what else people are looking for...also the last few years he was with them, i dont think he had his own signature clothes anymore, they were already focused on federer and hewitt.. so not sure what agassis going to bring to the table this time around..
Jack the Hack
Hall of Fame
For those of you that want some more background information, I am a rank and file Nike employee, and I was at the special lunch visit that Phil Knight and Andre Agassi had for employees at the Nike World Headquarters this afternoon where the reunion was announced. On the company intranet site last week, they had advertised a "surprise athlete" visitor would be coming, and where he or she would be appearing, but they only gave a few hints. (Many were speculating that it would be a track and field athlete, giving away tickets to the upcoming NCAA track championships in Eugene. However, when I heard that Phil Knight was going to be there, I knew it was going to be big).
Here are some of the things I saw today:
Here is a fuzzy picture I took on my phone of the event:
Here are some of the things I saw today:
- When Andre came up on the stage, Mr. Knight told a short story of how Andre had called him last month, not asking for any money or making contract demands. Rather, Andre just told him that he wanted to come "home to Nike, and be part of the family again." At that point, both Andre and Phil had tears in their eyes, and embraced emotionally. The crowd of employees in attendance erupted in cheers, and there was the euphoria of seeing a very special, genuine, moment.
- Andre started out by saying that neither he, nor Phil, needed this (financially), but both really wanted the reunion to happen. He stated that Nike was there to support him when he was just a kid, all the way through the highs and lows of his career, and that he felt bad in the way things had gone in the end... so he wanted to make it right.
- Andre told a couple funny stories about his kids, and said that nobody was more excited that he was back with Nike than his son, who has always preferred the Swoosh.
- Andre told a few short tennis related stories. One of them was about how his wig/weave and Nike hat were a nasty mess when he won the US Open in 1994. Apparently, he had worn the same thing for all the matches in that tournament, partially out of superstition, and that it was pretty gross by the time he got to the final. When he won, Michael Stich had given him a hug... and the first words he said were "wow, you really smell bad." Andre also talked about his relationship with Jimmy Connors, which is not on the best of terms. Connors has said "Agassi is not my kind of guy," and Andre said that the feeling is mutual.
- Andre talked about the importance of education, and the $175 million he was able to raise for his charter school in Las Vegas, and the positive impact it has had on thousands of children since the doors opened. However, he also talked about how they can only serve 1,300 kids at that school each year, and that there are 2,500 kids on the waiting list. Therefore, he's been working on ways to scale up the college prep program in underpriviledged areas across the US. To that end, his team has found an innovative way to fund new schools and has raised over $1 billion to start building new facilities around the country.
- Andre and Phil talked about how Andre's role at Nike will not only be for promoting tennis as an icon, but also the fitness movement for families across the country to combat obesity.
Here is a fuzzy picture I took on my phone of the event:
MAXXply
Hall of Fame
Whilst it's nice to see Agassi return as a "heritage" endorsee, I hope we're not gonna see him merely as a pitchman for generic activewear a la Livestrong apparel - you know, Dri-Fit running shirts with only "Agassi Foundation" printed on the chest etc...
Already, as you can see above, Nike clothed him in the simple Futura logo tee (murdered out colorway). A good declaratory photo statement but I'd hope down the track he becomes a frontman for more exciting and colourful designs that speak not necessarily to "tennis" but to his "rock 'n roll image" back in the day. And that can only mean lots more lava and neon brightness. I'm thinking hybrid designs like the Challenge Court black/lava vertical stripes on the more "mature" Pinwheel logo Grand Slam collared polo etc
Gavna and others: obviously this has aroused the excitement of Nike fanboys/fanbois(?) and there will be a polarity of opinions about what Andre's return will mean for the apparel fanatics. If Nike goes all out in re-introducing Agassi/Challenge Court stuff (which they won't) it will introduce a whole new generation to designs that - despite being vintage - will still be more exciting than the Fedal crap spewed out every 3 months.
The difference between myself and today's apparel collectors/flippers/aficionados is that back in the pre-internet, pre-TW days I had no-one to share my delight at acquiring the latest Lendl/Edberg shirts and Challenge and Supreme Court goodies. These days, the kids jump online and wax lyrical about the lastest Rafa shirt update, which is usually just a Pantone colourtone change.
Already, as you can see above, Nike clothed him in the simple Futura logo tee (murdered out colorway). A good declaratory photo statement but I'd hope down the track he becomes a frontman for more exciting and colourful designs that speak not necessarily to "tennis" but to his "rock 'n roll image" back in the day. And that can only mean lots more lava and neon brightness. I'm thinking hybrid designs like the Challenge Court black/lava vertical stripes on the more "mature" Pinwheel logo Grand Slam collared polo etc
Gavna and others: obviously this has aroused the excitement of Nike fanboys/fanbois(?) and there will be a polarity of opinions about what Andre's return will mean for the apparel fanatics. If Nike goes all out in re-introducing Agassi/Challenge Court stuff (which they won't) it will introduce a whole new generation to designs that - despite being vintage - will still be more exciting than the Fedal crap spewed out every 3 months.
The difference between myself and today's apparel collectors/flippers/aficionados is that back in the pre-internet, pre-TW days I had no-one to share my delight at acquiring the latest Lendl/Edberg shirts and Challenge and Supreme Court goodies. These days, the kids jump online and wax lyrical about the lastest Rafa shirt update, which is usually just a Pantone colourtone change.
High street sw19
Rookie
Now for Prince !
Meanmachine22
New User
14 May, 2013 -> The Universe is back to normal !
AA back where he belongs !!!
When i am home later on today i will resurrect my Air Trainer 1 for a casual walk in the park. While doing this i will recall all the `Agassi inspired `wins i had in my youth.
There is a god above and he wears Nike
AA back where he belongs !!!
When i am home later on today i will resurrect my Air Trainer 1 for a casual walk in the park. While doing this i will recall all the `Agassi inspired `wins i had in my youth.
There is a god above and he wears Nike
vandre
Hall of Fame
gotta love the trolls...now why don't you toddle on off and start a thread pining for sergio tacchini to re-release those hideously lame airbrushed polos sampras wore at the 1990 uso (you know the ones that looked like they were copied from the side of some '70s stoner's van). you have to remember those, they sold like 6 of them (4 of them were to pete's mom though, so i guess that leaves 2 for you sampras fanboys).
Thepunisher
New User
It's ok to admit it. Pete followed Andre to Nike. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. No matter if Pete was ranked #1 at any point, Andre was always on center court if they had a match at the same time. He brought fashion and trend to tennis so this obviously is huge news. Nike wasn't the same when he left and clearly they realized what a void Nike Tennis had until now.
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cluckcluck
Hall of Fame
From the TW facebook page:
"It's official! Andre Agassi is back with Nike Tennis!"
"It's official! Andre Agassi is back with Nike Tennis!"
heftylefty
Hall of Fame
Very Cool from Agassi; but I hope we don't see Graf in Nike stuff. Hopefully Graf Adidas contract is lifetime.
When I think of Nike, I think brash. Adidas is classy and understated. Just like Graf.
When I think of Nike, I think brash. Adidas is classy and understated. Just like Graf.
Babolast
Legend
Interesting shirt... never seen it before. Don't think Andre ever wore this. Not the 1991 RG shirt... or the 1991 Wimbledon shirt either.
I think TW will carry a retro Agassi line for Fall 13.
TennisCanada1
Professional
So you're implying that people the small majority of people like you that will judge the quality of a brands apparel based on the noticeable physical implications of one man, which he had before re-signing with that brand, is a greater cost than the benefit of appealing to a vast target market of middle-aged people who watched Agassi growing up, in addition to adding to the prestige tied to the brand in terms of legendary/well known players that they have been known to sign like Roger, Rafa, Sharapova, Serena, and Sampras?
vandre
Hall of Fame
Interesting shirt... never seen it before. Don't think Andre ever wore this. Not the 1991 RG shirt... or the 1991 Wimbledon shirt either.
sinner, i think that might be a slight variant on aa's 91 wimbly shirt (iirc the bottom of the shirt tail was much lighter than that/ kinda washed out looking but the design was still there).
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