Thanks Andre for the memories. Image isn't everything

[stalliondan]

for all these pansies, and yes you are pansies, that are actually think Agassi is faking or exagerating this you guys have never really played tennis or watched Agassi. Have you ever seen a stadium that filled at 12:30 at night with people going that nuts. I was at the Players hotel yesterday and about 20 of the players were watching the match downstairs and going just as nuts as everyone else. They see tennis everyday but they were all glued to the set. They all know how incredible it is that this 36 year old is doing what he is doing.
I don't know that many people that cry during tennis matches but Dre's performance is like something you see in an awesome sports movie except one huge difference.......this is real life. There might be players with more slams, more wins, more $ than him but in many, many people's hearts Dre is the ultimate champion.
Even he loses the next match we need to thank him for all the memories that he has given us. Even if you are not a supporter you cannot deny what he has done for the sport. He was the reason that many of us including me got into the sport and he will be truly missed. Thanks again Andre. Image isn't everything.

 

[tops'ltennisguy]

Well said. It seems that it isn't "cool" on this board to like Andre. Count me in as one of the uncool.

 

[drakulie]

Me too. Andre is awesome!

 

[127 mph]

I guess that I am the uncoolest of everyone in the world then. Well said.

 

[jaykay]

Stalliondan: Great post! Totally agree w/ you.

Many on this board to indeed feel that it is 'uncool' to root for Andre.

As for me, I was undecided on who to support; till after 2 sets I made up my mind that I'd just sit back and enjoy the unbelievable shot-making from both players. This was one EPIC match.

While I really, really hope that Agassi does well in this swansong tournament and goes deep, I'd like to salute Baggy-the-warrior for his sheer effort, this guy is truly a class act.

Notwithstanding the moronic, rambunctious US Open fans at Flushing Meadows and the lame attempts by 'cool' people on this TW board to diss Agassi, tennis was surely the winner.

 

[Janne]

Well put, you are totally right! GOO ANDRE!

 

[couch]

I've been rooting for Andre ever since he came on the scene. I didn't grow up playing tennis and when he came on the scene he actually made tennis kinda cool. He's the one and only reason I started playing tennis at the age of 18 and I haven't stopped since. Now my wife plays and my children will hopefully play and we will enjoy the sport for a lifetime.

He's had some issues in the past but so does everyone. He has really matured into a great champion and great role model and I, for one, will be sad to see him go.

It really is too bad that his body is giving out on him because it's definitely apparent that he can still play extremely high-level tennis.

 

[coach]

I have always liked Andre but didn't follow him much in the early days of his (long hair) career. Part of his likability today is that he is humble, something that from what I hear, he was not in his early days. THis is common, with youth comes a lot of testosterone and bravado, but with age, experience (and number of injuries) comes the reality that indeed everyday is a gift-- an attitude that Andre seems to realize and espouse.

 

[Gilgamesh]

Well said. It seems that it isn't "cool" on this board to like Andre. Count me in as one of the uncool.

WTH I don't get that impression at all.

Most of the good posters on this board respect Agassi. The guy is a legend.

Let him have his day. We are all priviledged to watch his final moments on the tour.

 

[Gilgamesh]

Many on this board to indeed feel that it is 'uncool' to root for Andre.
.

Well everybody has the right to root for whoever they want but you have to be a fool to not respect what Agassi has done for the game. His legacy is one of the most celebrated in tennis history.

But seriously I don't frequent these boards that much but how old are the people who think it is 'uncool' to root for Andre??? I understand rooting against him or not rooting for him at all but to associate that with a cool or uncool trend is what highschool?

Agassi is an all-time great. People cheer for him as a celebration for all he has accomplished in his career and done for the sport. Like I said you have to be a fool not to respect that.

 

[milo]

i always love andre, how he plays nowadays is making me to appreciate him more. he did not quit early but still fighting.

 

[coach]

It really is too bad that his body is giving out on him because it's definitely apparent that he can still play extremely high-level tennis.

ah,, the failing body..... -- "the spirit is willling but the flesh is weak"- Mark 14:38

there have been others that have at an advanced age made great athletic accomplishments-- you can somewhat write off Ken Rosewall making the '74 U.S. Open at 39 years, 310 days old, because you can say that was during a less athletic time.

Looking at another sport though, marathon running, something amazing happenned in '85. Carlos Lopes from Portugal won the men's marathon in Roderdam, at 2:07:12, the first to ever run under 2:08. He was 38 years old. I know, no lunging or lateral movement but from a purely physical standpoint, that was an incredible feat- that record stood for 3 years.

 

[Rhino]

I haven't noticed very many people against Agassi around here, in fact off hand I can't remember any really anti-Agassi posts. I see a lot of love for him and people who respect him.
Personally I can't think of many other players who have brought more 'cool' to the sport of tennis over the years. He's been a true tennis rock-star.
It may be that some people are just seeing the cheesey side of the 'Agassi spectacle' as portrayed by the US media, who are making it into some kind of fairy tale, or the great American dream, etc. Europeans and many other nations have a much much lower threshhold for how much tastelessly showy coverage that they are willing to accept; but Agassi himself is loved the world over.

 

[oberyn]

I've never been a huge Agassi fan. I was always a Sampras guy.

I respect his accomplishments both on and off the court. He's been a great ambassador for the sport and an all-time great player. He will definitely be missed.

That being said, the Agassi love-fest has been a bit much, IMO. It's not Agassi's fault, it's the media blitz and the network coverage. Just after a while, I do find it annoying (during a match) to keep hearing how it's Andre's tournament, Andre's crowd, Andre's house, etc.

 

[WhiteKnight]

I've never been a huge Agassi fan. I was always a Sampras guy.

I respect his accomplishments both on and off the court. He's been a great ambassador for the sport and an all-time great player. He will definitely be missed.

That being said, the Agassi love-fest has been a bit much, IMO. It's not Agassi's fault, it's the media blitz and the network coverage. Just after a while, I do find it annoying (during a match) to keep hearing how it's Andre's tournament, Andre's crowd, Andre's house, etc.

Didn't this happen when Sampras play during his last year? I fail to see the difference here. I got into tennis when Michael, Jim, Andre and Pete started making history of their own in tennis. Andre is the last of them to retire now, it's been an amazing run from American tennis perspective and the impact they made on the young and future generation of American players to come.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

I distinctly remember several phases of his career. The last being by far his best for previously, he was an insufferable tool

80s - Biggest thqueer, "image is everything", prima donna

I wanted anyone and everyone to beat him: lendl, courier, mcenroe, ivanisovic, becker, anyone please beat the crap of this fool.

early 90's - Sampras/Agassi go head to head and Andre begins to realize if he doesn't grow up and get serious, he's toast.

mid 90's to present - Andre Agassi finally decides to grow up and dedicate himself to tennis, Gilbert helps him out, and he transcends the "I am the th-center of the th-universe" fulfilling his potential.

Its this phase that I respect him for. Not the first 10 years when he was in my opinion bad for himself and tennis (even if he won some big matches).

And he is the first to admit he was a major tool back in the day and that he had a lot of growing up to do.

He deserves everything he has earned, especially these past 10 years.

 

[oberyn]

Didn't this happen when Sampras play during his last year? I fail to see the difference here.

I thought the coverage of Sampras' 2002 title run was over the top, as well.

Still, Pete didn't announce his retirement until well into 2003, however, so no one knew at the time it was going to be his last tournament. It didn't become a love fest until the later rounds. And even then it didn't really compare.

Andre has added pressure, but also a lot more support. There's more hype surrounding each match since, as we're constantly told, this could be the last time we see him, etc.

I got into tennis when Michael, Jim, Andre and Pete started making history of their own in tennis. Andre is the last of them to retire now, it's been an amazing run from American tennis perspective and the impact they made on the young and future generation of American players to come.

I'm not trying in any way, shape, or form to diminish or minimize that impact. I just think that, during the match, it gets done to death. Understandable, and not Andre's fault, certainly, I just find it a tad annoying.

 

[RadekStepanekTheKing]

for all these pansies, and yes you are pansies, that are actually think Agassi is faking or exagerating this you guys have never really played tennis or watched Agassi. Have you ever seen a stadium that filled at 12:30 at night with people going that nuts. I was at the Players hotel yesterday and about 20 of the players were watching the match downstairs and going just as nuts as everyone else. They see tennis everyday but they were all glued to the set. They all know how incredible it is that this 36 year old is doing what he is doing.
I don't know that many people that cry during tennis matches but Dre's performance is like something you see in an awesome sports movie except one huge difference.......this is real life. There might be players with more slams, more wins, more $ than him but in many, many people's hearts Dre is the ultimate champion.
Even he loses the next match we need to thank him for all the memories that he has given us. Even if you are not a supporter you cannot deny what he has done for the sport. He was the reason that many of us including me got into the sport and he will be truly missed. Thanks again Andre. Image isn't everything.

Great great post!

 

[WhiteKnight]

I distinctly remember several phases of his career. The last being by far his best for previously, he was an insufferable tool

80s - Biggest thqueer, "image is everything", prima donna

I wanted anyone and everyone to beat him: lendl, courier, mcenroe, ivanisovic, becker, anyone please beat the crap of this fool.

early 90's - Sampras/Agassi go head to head and Andre begins to realize if he doesn't grow up and get serious, he's toast.

mid 90's to present - Andre Agassi finally decides to grow up and dedicate himself to tennis, Gilbert helps him out, and he transcends the "I am the th-center of the th-universe" fulfilling his potential.

Its this phase that I respect him for. Not the first 10 years when he was in my opinion bad for himself and tennis (even if he won some big matches).

And he is the first to admit he was a major tool back in the day and that he had a lot of growing up to do.

He deserves everything he has earned, especially these past 10 years.

His youthful days was what got a lot of young players into tennis. You may call it "prima donna" but it's not to many of us. His early career and attitude is what transform a boring "rich people only" country club sport appealing to city kids. Take a good look at Nadal, his overflowing self-confidence resembles that of Andre in his younger days. It is this type of attitude that draw more fans into tennis. It adds a lot of color to a sport that must be play in silence

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

His youthful days was what got a lot of young players into tennis. You may call it "prima donna" but it's not to many of us. His early career and attitude is what transform a boring "rich people only" country club sport appealing to city kids. Take a good look at Nadal, his overflowing self-confidence resembles that of Andre in his younger days. It is this type of attitude that draw more fans into tennis. It adds a lot of color to a sport that must be play in silence

The mid 80s to mid 90s had so many great inspiring players with varied games, styles, and great matchups.

But, one man's swill is another man's champagne. What else can I say.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Didn't this happen when Sampras play during his last year?

No. Not really. Sampras didn't announce his retirement in advance of the USO. In fact, he didn't "retire" until the next year ... even though he'd be entered in numerous tourneys, only to drop out before play began. Finally, he admitted he was finished.

I got into tennis when Michael, Jim, Andre and Pete started making history of their own in tennis. Andre is the last of them to retire now, it's been an amazing run from American tennis perspective and the impact they made on the young and future generation of American players to come.

Of these players, I think Jim and Andre will have the most long term impact on the sport's popularity in the U.S. The "Glory Days" of USA tennis, IMO, were the '70s and early '80s. Connors, Evert, Mac, Vitas, Tracy, Andrea, Jennifer, Chang ... and Andre and Pete.

I really hope Andre's legacy carries over to contributing to Roddick, Blake, Ginepri, Venus and Serena generating a new "wave" of tennis popularity. (But I'm not "standing in wet cement....")

- KK