Why am I not an Agassi fan?

[hoodjem]

I think it is for four reasons, all of which are facets of the same underlying predilection:
1) I dislike those "image is everything" Canon commercials, because he seems to have believed it
2) I find distasteful his doing drugs and hiding it from authorities
3) his toupee shenanigans suggest that he was vain and shallow
4) there seems to have been a period when he did not seem very dedicated to tennis.

 

[David Le]

@macattack Thoughts?

 

[Sup2Dresq]

IMO.

People grow or change over time. For better or for worse. He was young, matured and turned into a pretty reputable person. His charitable work and late career charge is something to admire.

Lets not forget that 1999 French Open victory. His expression after match point still puts a smile on my face. Great work Andre.

 

[pc1]

I think it is for four reasons, all of which are facets of the same underlying predilection:
1) I dislike those "image is everything" Canon commercials, because he seems to have believed it
2) I find distasteful his doing drugs and hiding it from authorities
3) his toupee shenanigans suggest that he was vain and shallow
4) there seems to have been a period when he did not seem very dedicated to tennis.

There's no law that says you have to be an Agassi fan. I liked his general style of play with the great backhand and forehand. I did not like it when I felt he didn't live up to his great talent mainly I think because of your number four reason. I also felt that he wasn't as mentally strong as some like for example a Sampras.

He's probably one of the top few pure ball strikers I've seen.

 

[macattack]

I think it is for four reasons, all of which are facets of the same underlying predilection:
1) I dislike those "image is everything" Canon commercials, because he seems to have believed it
2) I find distasteful his doing drugs and hiding it from authorities
3) his toupee shenanigans suggest that he was vain and shallow
4) there seems to have been a period when he did not seem very dedicated to tennis.

I don't know, man. You sound like a square.

But seriously.

1. He was a kid when he did that campaign. And if you read his autobiography, he mostly did all those shenanigans to be a dick and because he was wildly insecure. I don't know if you remember things you did when you were 20, but good lord I was an *******.
2. Let's be real, meth is not a performance enhancing drug. Can we dispel that myth?
3. Again, you're reading this completely wrong. His toupee suggested that he was insecure after being thrust into the national spotlight. I don't know Andre, but I've meet him a few times and I can say he isn't within a country mile of being vain.
4. Do you know what his dad did to him? I'm surprised he didn't give up the game before turning pro.

With all of that said, you don't have to be an Agassi fan. That's totally ok! I'm just trying to offer some counterpoints here.

 

[atatu]

What makes you think anyone cares whether some 3.0 player is an Agassi fan or not ? Do you really need to start an entire thread to justify your dislike of him ? Nobody cares, he's won multiple grand slams and has done for more at risk kids than 99% of all former athletes, and you're judging him on some commercial he was in when he was a teen aged kid ?

 

[Limpinhitter]

I think it is for four reasons, all of which are facets of the same underlying predilection:
1) I dislike those "image is everything" Canon commercials, because he seems to have believed it
2) I find distasteful his doing drugs and hiding it from authorities
3) his toupee shenanigans suggest that he was vain and shallow
4) there seems to have been a period when he did not seem very dedicated to tennis.

But, you're a Pancho fan? Anyway, I'm an Agassi fan based on his game and what he did on the court. I think he was one of the most naturally talented players of all time, but, didn't fully exploit his own talent and abilities.

 

[JCat]

What makes you think anyone cares whether some 3.0 player is an Agassi fan or not ? Do you really need to start an entire thread to justify your dislike of him ? Nobody cares, he's won multiple grand slams and has done for more at risk kids than 99% of all former athletes, and you're judging him on some commercial he was in when he was a teen aged kid ?

Geez, are you defensive or what? Did he strike a nerve about your favorite player? This whole message board system is full of threads about why or why not people liked certain players. That's what these boards are for...debating.

 

[macattack]

Geez, are you defensive or what? Did he strike a nerve about your favorite player? This whole message board system is full of threads about why or why not people liked certain players. That's what these boards are for...debating.

I agree. I'm a die-hard Agassi fan and this thread was less offensive than like 90% of the General Pro Player board. Don't worry @hoodjem, we'll help you find your way!

 

[SinjinCooper]

Agassi didn't write the "Image is everything" media campaign. Canon's copywriters did, then Canon payed Agassi a fortune to read the lines. Agassi didn't become the highest-earning tennis player of all time by turning down free money.

 

[penguin]

but Agassi was a gud playur?

 

[BorgCash]

I think it is for four reasons, all of which are facets of the same underlying predilection:
1) I dislike those "image is everything" Canon commercials, because he seems to have believed it
2) I find distasteful his doing drugs and hiding it from authorities
3) his toupee shenanigans suggest that he was vain and shallow
4) there seems to have been a period when he did not seem very dedicated to tennis.

Because you're a Laver fan

 

[big ted]

I wouldn't put that much into those commercials..he was a teenager without a high school degree that burst on the scene like few others..at that time im sure everyone and their own mother were trying to exploit & make money off of him.. he probably had very little input in his endorsement deals, including switching to that donnay racquet

 

[pabletion]

But you should say youre not a pre 1998 Agassi fan.... his career after that was a thing of beauty, he got rid of that "image is everything" crap, wig, flashy clothes and all, and just dedicated himself to PLAY and work his behind off, and it showed. It was one of the greatest comebacks, I remember it perfectly because I started playing/watching tennis around 96-97, saw Agassi's downhill and rise from the dead. I dont think I missed one of his matches on that 99 French Open (still have some vids of his in VHS, the 99 USO final, against Pete at LA... all of them on youtube now, dont have the heart to throw them away).

Watching him hit out from both wings with such precision is a thing of beauty, one of the cleanest strikers ever, and his battles against the new commers are magnificent.

He is the reason I started taking an interest in tennis. Long live Andre!

 

[Limpinhitter]

Because you're a Laver fan

Why can't someone be a Laver fan and an Agassi fan?

 

[macattack]

So did the OP just peace out? Seemed like he wanted to have an actual discussion.

 

[hoodjem]

So did the OP just peace out? Seemed like he wanted to have an actual discussion.

Yep, I peaced out. (AKA, I just got off work.)

I don't need to be talked out of or into liking Agassi. Sorry, maybe I should not have started the post. It was early this morning and I was just wondering if anyone felt similarly. If not, that's okay.

Maybe I should appreciate the post-1998 Agassi, but by then I had given up on him. Maybe I will come to appreciate the post-2017 Kyrgios, but I've given up on him as well.

Why can't someone be a Laver fan and an Agassi fan?

But this is a good point.

(Yes, I am a Laver fan. I esteem honesty, authenticity, and greatness with humility. If that makes me a square, then I'm a square. So be it. So I probably like other squares. Maybe Laver is a square. I still like him. )

 

[macattack]

Yep, I peaced out. (AKA, I just got off work.)

All good! I was just giving you crap. All in good fun.

 

[BorgCash]

Why can't someone be a Laver fan and an Agassi fan?

Why can't someone be a Laver fan and an Agassi fan?

Of course someone can, someone even can be a fan of Serena as well. But if he has Rod in his avatar, which playing style is very different from Andre, i suggested above mentioned.

 

[NatF]

Of course someone can, someone even can be a fan of Serena as well. But if he has Rod in his avatar, which playing style is very different from Andre, i suggested above mentioned.

How many types of music do you like?

 

[BorgCash]

How many types of music do you like?

Many but good, no way i can like rap or Murray's playing style.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Of course someone can, someone even can be a fan of Serena as well. But if he has Rod in his avatar, which playing style is very different from Andre, i suggested above mentioned.

Maybe there are more similarities to the Laver and Agassi games than there are differences. But, that doesn't mean you can't be a fan of players with disparate styles in any event. Further, you don't have to like a player's style to be a fan for some other reason.

 

[BorgCash]

Maybe there are more similarities to the Laver and Agassi games than there are differences. But, that doesn't mean you can't be a fan of players with disparate styles in any event. Further, you don't have to like a player's style to be a fan for some other reason.

Correct, but playing styles of Laver and Agassi were quite different. Especially at the net.

 

[Mainad]

For me, the interesting thing about Agassi is that he grew and matured as a player and as a person over time. Started off as a bit of a cocky brat with too much hair and attitude, then gradually evolved into someone much more mature and likeable. In fact his likeability seemed to increase in inverse proportion to the amount of hair on his head!

Not least he managed to snare Steffi, the shy, aloof ice-queen of women's tennis. No less than 30 Grand Slam singles titles went into that match! How likely was that?

 

[tennisaddict]

How come the OP did not talk about the Sampras tipping part for the valet ? I thought that was truly a low moment for Agassi

 

[vanioMan]

For me, the interesting thing about Agassi is that he grew and matured as a player and as a person over time. Started off as a bit of a cocky brat with too much hair and attitude, then gradually evolved into someone much more mature and likeable. In fact his likeability seemed to increase in inverse proportion to the amount of hair on his head!

Not least he managed to snare Steffi, the shy, aloof ice-queen of women's tennis. No less than 30 Grand Slam singles titles went into that match! How likely was that?

That's why I love Andre. You see the progress, the evolution. You see where he started off and where he is now. You also see the struggle, the pain, the hard times. That's just incredible. To grow so much as a person is helluva lot tougher than to win 14/17/24 Slams or be #1 for 6-7 years.

 

[90's Clay]

My only problem with Agassi is his biased opinion in his retired years. And his obvious "butthurtness" over Pete

Besides that we has one of the most talented players you could ask for. Uncanny ability to take the ball early.. Hand-eye coordination of the gods. Tremendously charismatic. Pete did ruin his career though. Imagine a motivated, in shape Agass in his 20s between 1995-1999

 

[scootad.]

Agassi circa 1994-1995 was one of the main reasons I fell in love with tennis. When he came out of the dumps to win the '94 USO then shaved his head looking like a pirate and won AO '95 with the extremely high quality and entertaining battles with Sampras, this was the golden era of tennis for me. This was right befor Sampras started to pull away in the rivalry. Excellent drama, contrast of styles, and competition.

 

[KaiserW]

I think it is for four reasons, all of which are facets of the same underlying predilection:
1) I dislike those "image is everything" Canon commercials, because he seems to have believed it
2) I find distasteful his doing drugs and hiding it from authorities
3) his toupee shenanigans suggest that he was vain and shallow
4) there seems to have been a period when he did not seem very dedicated to tennis.

Have you read his book Open? Great book which explains a lot about the way he acted at times.

He was young then we all do stupid things growing up. He has turned into a great person that has given a lot back to the community.

 

[joekapa]

My only problem with Agassi is his biased opinion in his retired years. And his obvious "butthurtness" over Pete

Besides that we has one of the most talented players you could ask for. Uncanny ability to take the ball early.. Hand-eye coordination of the gods. Tremendously charismatic. Pete did ruin his career though. Imagine a motivated, in shape Agass in his 20s between 1995-1999

Pete didn't ruin his career. Agassi has 8 slams. No small feat. It's just that Pete was better.

 

[joekapa]

Agassi was a great player, and set the template (probably Lendl did first) for todays baseline play. Without Agassi, there wouldn't be a Djokovic, Nadal, Murray.

However he was an a**hole to the nth degree. Even today I feel that he is. He has a deep inferiority complex, and that showed early. He never liked anybody really. The fact he had a fued with Becker, was enough for me not to like his character.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Agassi was a great player, and set the template (probably Lendl did first) for todays baseline play. Without Agassi, there wouldn't be a Djokovic, Nadal, Murray.

However he was an a**hole to the nth degree. Even today I feel that he is. He has a deep inferiority complex, and that showed early. He never liked anybody really. The fact he had a fued with Becker, was enough for me not to like his character.

Yes, and Becker is a clean, charming character in his own right.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

My only problem with Agassi is his biased opinion in his retired years. And his obvious "butthurtness" over Pete

Besides that we has one of the most talented players you could ask for. Uncanny ability to take the ball early.. Hand-eye coordination of the gods. Tremendously charismatic. Pete did ruin his career though. Imagine a motivated, in shape Agass in his 20s between 1995-1999

>Federer better than Sampras.
>Biased.

 

[joekapa]

Yes, and Becker is a clean, charming character in his own right.

Becker has his flaws, he is a womanizer, a confidence about him, and obviously a man who has been around the block a few times. But he doesn't have one iota of an inferiority complex about him. Agassi has.

The difference between the two, is that Agassi married Brooke Shields. Becker would have bedded her (or any Hollywood starlet for that matter), and not said a word.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Becker has his flaws, he is a womanizer, a confidence about him, and obviously a man who has been around the block a few times. But he doesn't have one iota of an inferiority complex about him. Agassi has.

Becker's flaws stretch across many valleys, what you provided wouldn't make it over one. For one even Djokovic thought he was a joke like 80 percent of the time. I doubt he even needed him in his coaches chair in 2015 anyway, he just went along for the ride in order to boost his public image; which is something you've used to attack Agassi.

The difference between the two, is that Agassi married Brooke Shields. Becker would have bedded her (or any Hollywood starlet for that matter), and not said a word.

The difference between the two is that Andre Agassi was and probably still is a better player than Boris Becker and has had a more successful life on and off the court. How many facilities has Becker opened compared to Agassi?

 

[joekapa]

Becker's flaws stretch across many valleys, what you provided wouldn't make it over one. For one even Djokovic thought he was a joke like 80 percent of the time. I doubt he even needed him in his coaches chair in 2015 anyway, he just went along for the ride in order to boost his public image; which is something you've used to attack Agassi.


The difference between the two is that Andre Agassi was and probably still is a better player than Boris Becker and has had a more successful life on and off the court. How many facilities has Becker opened compared to Agassi?

Boris had a major affect on Djokovic. His serve improved immensely, same as his volleying.

As for the other things about Agassi's philanthropy. Good on him.

But I know who I would rather share a beer with.

 

[hoodjem]

Have you read his book Open? Great book which explains a lot about the way he acted at times.

He was young then we all do stupid things growing up. He has turned into a great person that has given a lot back to the community.

No, I have not.

I am glad to hear that.

 

[Mainad]

Becker has his flaws, he is a womanizer, a confidence about him, and obviously a man who has been around the block a few times. But he doesn't have one iota of an inferiority complex about him. Agassi has.

The difference between the two, is that Agassi married Brooke Shields. Becker would have bedded her (or any Hollywood starlet for that matter), and not said a word.

I don't think beds were ever an essential item.

 

[TheFifthSet]

I mostly like Agassi, although that incident with Sampras in 2010 soured me a little. Really petty move.

 

[90's Clay]

Pete didn't ruin his career. Agassi has 8 slams. No small feat. It's just that Pete was better.

Pete knocked him into the middle of next week after the USO 1995 and mentally destroyed him for a good 3 year period.

 

[PDJ]

What makes you think anyone cares whether some 3.0 player is an Agassi fan or not ? Do you really need to start an entire thread to justify your dislike of him ? Nobody cares, he's won multiple grand slams and has done for more at risk kids than 99% of all former athletes, and you're judging him on some commercial he was in when he was a teen aged kid ?

Rude much!
And, you're gonna have a pretty hateful time on a forum that is at least 60% (generous?) posts on disliking any particular player.
Plus @hoodjem post isn't especially contentious, just an opinion.
Lord, I've read some unbelievably obnoxious posts at times.... Oh wait, you'll fit right in.
Welcome.

 

[PDJ]

Of course someone can, someone even can be a fan of Serena as well. But if he has Rod in his avatar, which playing style is very different from Andre, i suggested above mentioned.

A fan of Serena?..... That's a bridge too far

 

[BorgCash]

A fan of Serena?..... That's a bridge too far

Yeah, man, just mentioned this to show the contrast.

 

[MLRoy]

I'd like to add my petty reasons to the mix, please. I don't think these have been listed:
-- He did Barbra Streisand!
-- He has the ugliest legs I've ever seen on a male tennis player. He's the only male player I've felt that way about.
-- My brother's best friend met him, and said he was a _rick. Very elitest, but that's not a surprise.
-- TACKY earring. Not even a "stud"; a frigging "dangler"! I think it was of a pyramid(?). Gross, evil, ugly hump.

Good. I feel better. I wanted to use all of those adjectives/nouns on my mother-in-law yesterday (she didn't do Barbra Streisand, I don't think). Like poison, it just had to come out. Oh, here's another one:

-- His wife's a better player!

 

[macattack]

I'd like to add my petty reasons to the mix, please. I don't think these have been listed:
-- He did Barbra Streisand!
-- He has the ugliest legs I've ever seen on a male tennis player. He's the only male player I've felt that way about.
-- My brother's best friend met him, and said he was a _rick. Very elitest, but that's not a surprise.
-- TACKY earring. Not even a "stud"; a frigging "dangler"! I think it was of a pyramid(?). Gross, evil, ugly hump.

Good. I feel better. I wanted to use all of those adjectives/nouns on my mother-in-law yesterday (she didn't do Barbra Streisand, I don't think). Like poison, it just had to come out. Oh, here's another one:

-- His wife's a better player!

Good lord.

 

[metsman]

Pete knocked him into the middle of next week after the USO 1995 and mentally destroyed him for a good 3 year period.

Agassi made a big mistake overplaying that summer. He was out of gas in the USO final and the organizers did him no favors as well by scheduling him as the late semi against Becker. Wonder what might have happened if he was fully rested in that match. I think Pete would still win but it would have been much closer, the first 2 sets were no contest.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I'd like to add my petty reasons to the mix, please. I don't think these have been listed:
-- He did Barbra Streisand!
-- He has the ugliest legs I've ever seen on a male tennis player. He's the only male player I've felt that way about.
-- My brother's best friend met him, and said he was a _rick. Very elitest, but that's not a surprise.
-- TACKY earring. Not even a "stud"; a frigging "dangler"! I think it was of a pyramid(?). Gross, evil, ugly hump.

Good. I feel better. I wanted to use all of those adjectives/nouns on my mother-in-law yesterday (she didn't do Barbra Streisand, I don't think). Like poison, it just had to come out. Oh, here's another one:

-- His wife's a better player!

With that, this thread has officially "Jumped the Shark."

 

[abmk]

Agassi made a big mistake overplaying that summer. He was out of gas in the USO final and the organizers did him no favors as well by scheduling him as the late semi against Becker. Wonder what might have happened if he was fully rested in that match. I think Pete would still win but it would have been much closer, the first 2 sets were no contest.

IIRC, the 1st set was close, until that last game ..

 

[MLRoy]

With that, this thread has officially "Jumped the Shark."

What a limp comment.

 

[beltsman]

I want to like Agassi, and usually when I see him I do, but something is just "off" and fake-seeming to me about him. I'm not really sure what it is. I feel like he's a bit of a poser. Maybe I'm just jealous that he (somehow) got Steffi.

The tipping incident with Pete really was bizarre though. Truly inappropriate behavior. Inexplicable and embarrassing.