I say that he will probably not win another major before he retires even though he won the Mercedes Benz Cup with no injuries to bother him. I think that there are just too many other good players on tour, and that his injuries will assuredly come back to haunt him. Even though I don't think he will win another major, I really hope he does since he is my favorite player.
Agassi for another major???
- Thread starter smkulyk
- Start date
Matthew
Professional
If there are some early upsets at the USO and his draw is favorable in that he wont have to worry about any 5 setters before a final, he could stand a chance. At this point that is asking a lot, he won't have a Top 8 seed which means he there would have to be some VERY early upsets.
No. Absolutely not. Could you really picture Agassi beating Federer? The road to the finals in grand slams inevitably goes through Roger, and no one in their right mind would believe Agassi could beat him at this stage. I don't even think Agassi has enough left in the tank to beat Roddick or Hewitt... Kinda a shame, he should've gone out when he was on top, like Sampras.
hoosierbr
Hall of Fame
Agassi wouldn't have much of a problem beating anyone in New York, including Roddick and Hewitt, except Federer.
However, let's remember that Federer and Andre played an epic two-day, five-setter last year that could have gone either way in the fifth set. Also, Federer will be going into Cincy without having played a match since Wimbledon. He'll undoubtedly be a little rusty and I don't expect him to make a run to the title.
As for New York, anything is possible. Last year Federer struggled in his first two matches against Albert Costa and Marcos Baghdatis. If his lack of match play and foot problems get the best of him then I can envision him going out early. If Federer is out then I think that makes AA, if not the favorite, then a major contender.
Finally, last year Andre had the misfortune of facing Federer in the QF's as the eigth seed. If Agassi stays where he is now, he won't have to worry about facing him before the semis or final. That might be enough to keep him relaxed and save his best stuff for a possible clash with the Fed Express.
However, let's remember that Federer and Andre played an epic two-day, five-setter last year that could have gone either way in the fifth set. Also, Federer will be going into Cincy without having played a match since Wimbledon. He'll undoubtedly be a little rusty and I don't expect him to make a run to the title.
As for New York, anything is possible. Last year Federer struggled in his first two matches against Albert Costa and Marcos Baghdatis. If his lack of match play and foot problems get the best of him then I can envision him going out early. If Federer is out then I think that makes AA, if not the favorite, then a major contender.
Finally, last year Andre had the misfortune of facing Federer in the QF's as the eigth seed. If Agassi stays where he is now, he won't have to worry about facing him before the semis or final. That might be enough to keep him relaxed and save his best stuff for a possible clash with the Fed Express.
I remember when Federer said (and i paraphrase) he would have never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would win the US Open. It's almost like he thinks winning the US is harder for him than the French. I dunno how much that'll factor mentally for him in this year at the USO but remember when everyone discounted Sampras a couple years. Sampras made them eat crow.
I honestly believe when Dre's on and the adrenaline is pumping, throw in some crazed NY fans and AA can stil beat just about anyone on the hard courts. The two biggest roadblocks would be the day in day out grind of winning 7 matches in a row and of course Roger Federer.
I honestly believe when Dre's on and the adrenaline is pumping, throw in some crazed NY fans and AA can stil beat just about anyone on the hard courts. The two biggest roadblocks would be the day in day out grind of winning 7 matches in a row and of course Roger Federer.
krnboijunsung
Semi-Pro
With Federer out there, it's probably a no chance. Because Agassi can't play long games, and there are plenty of players that are more fit and ready to play.
But it'd be nice for him to win another one, I just don't see it happening.
But it'd be nice for him to win another one, I just don't see it happening.
tommytom11
Rookie
it all comes down to him getting thru to the last weekend without expending all his energy or getting beat up. the sat-sun semi/final thing is also a problem.
joe sch
Legend
Yes, I know this is what motivates AA and would love to see him accomplish such a feat at 35+. If he wins this years USO, which would be a surprise, I think he may just retire like Pete did. Then again, he just got his big Adidas contract and surely has lots more winning tennis in his body. Keep going AA !
BaseLineBash
Hall of Fame
Damn right he can. Belief in ones' self is the ultimate factor and always has been. Go Andre you're still the one.
I believe those days are gone now. He can still produce great tennis. But I don't think he can produce great tennis for the first four rounds of a major and then follow that with three more rounds of greater tennis against the game's top players.
I always felt that the AO was his best chance and that he had an outside chance in the US Open. The AO always set up best for Andre. Perfect bounce and speed off the bounce for his game. But what produces the perfect ball also takes a toll on the body. Agassi's years on tour are manifesting themselves in more and more joint/back problems and the "sticky" courts in Melbourne are maybe the hardest on those areas. Plus with the arrival of Nadal, Agassi will have yet another top contender down under as I believe the pace of the courts there will serve Raf's game nicely too.
Its even less likely to happen for AA at the US Open.
But with a good draw and if maybe two top seeds in his half of either the US Open or AO, are eliminated by others, Agassi's chances increase markedly. He'd get a lift seeing he had a chance for one last hoorah. But everything would have to break just right for AA to have a real chance IMO.
I always felt that the AO was his best chance and that he had an outside chance in the US Open. The AO always set up best for Andre. Perfect bounce and speed off the bounce for his game. But what produces the perfect ball also takes a toll on the body. Agassi's years on tour are manifesting themselves in more and more joint/back problems and the "sticky" courts in Melbourne are maybe the hardest on those areas. Plus with the arrival of Nadal, Agassi will have yet another top contender down under as I believe the pace of the courts there will serve Raf's game nicely too.
Its even less likely to happen for AA at the US Open.
But with a good draw and if maybe two top seeds in his half of either the US Open or AO, are eliminated by others, Agassi's chances increase markedly. He'd get a lift seeing he had a chance for one last hoorah. But everything would have to break just right for AA to have a real chance IMO.
arosen said:Unless Andre does something spectacular to his serve to end points quicker (what are the chances, at this stage of his career) he is very unlikely to be able to sustain the grind of 7 potential 5setters. Sadly.
Did you see Andre in the Mercedez Cup? His first serves were ranging in the 120s with the top speed of 127 mph. According to Mike Agassi, Andre's new coach Darren Cahill has been working on Andre's serves, which Gilbert hardly ever did, and even convinced Andre to switch to a racquet with a smaller head (though not as small as Mike would like).
Andre's problem is not with his stamina but with his back/hip pain. Judging from how he has fared against the top players, I like a healthy Andre's chances better than those of Roddick and Hewitt. Andre hasn't had a win over Fed in quite some time, but I would love to see those two go at it again. The Andre-Nadal matchup will be very interesting, too. I just hope Andre stay healthy.
agassi can still beat any player on tour except federer, and he can prob beat him if his game and confidence and everything is dead on that day... i think he will get to the semi's in the uso,, i can only see safin or federer or a big server taking out agassi, and i don't mean roddick cuz agassi owns roddick right now....
doriancito
Hall of Fame
at this level he could get to semi's doing a hard work
Speedy_tennis
Semi-Pro
Forever Agassi
The tennis guy
Hall of Fame
hoosierbr said:
1. Federer didn't play a match since US Open last year until in Thailand. He was so rusty that he won the last two titles he played including The Master. To wait for him to be rusty, you need more than 2 months layoff.
2. Last year US open match was playing in two days with gusty wind up to 30 mph. It wasn't a reflection of true tennis. Look at their match up since then, Agassi couldn't take a set off Federer.
3. Federer's foot problem is not serious. Read his most recent interview. He didn't want to play too much before a grand slam tournament. He withdrew from a master event on clay before French, he is doing the same thing here before US Open.
4. Agassi won't be seeded in top 4 in this year's US Open either. Anyone seeded 5-8 has the same odds meeting Federer in quarterfinal.
For Agassi to win, other players have to help him.
hoosierbr
Hall of Fame
The tennis guy said:
I read Federer's interview where he said his foot problem was not serious and I'm glad. Last thing tennis needs is another great player broken down by injury. But I also remember him saying that he felt his foot problem cost him a shot at defending his Aussie title. Federer's biggest asset and weapon is his movement and any problem, big or small, that can mess with that is cause for a little concern. Plus, these are hardcourts and they beat up the body more than any surface.
As for Agassi and Federer, it's true Andre hasn't taken a set off of him this year but has Hewitt? Roddick? Henman? Federer owns everyone right now, with the exception of Nadal. My point is that if one compares Federer's matches with AA they're a helluva lot closer than any of his recent matches with Hewitt and Roddick and, therefore, Andre has the best chance of beating him. Safin, coming off knee surgery, is a question mark.
Put Andre and Federer under the lights of Flusing Meadows once more and you've got another great show.
Finally, I agree with you that Andre's best shot at a major is with Federer out of the way thanks to another player getting his scalp. But as that doesn't happen too often it may very well up to Andre.
The tennis guy
Hall of Fame
hoosierbr said:
That's true if only one match against Federer. However, in a tournament, you have to play more matches. Hewitt, Roddick are younger, thus recover faster.
So I would put Hewitt and Roddick overall chance of winning the title slightly ahead of Agassi, with Federer as the big favorite.
