THANKS ANDRE

US Open 2006, Men's Singles, 3rd Round, Benjamin Becker Defeated Andre Agassi 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5

That is how the final statsheet will be recorded against the greatest player to have played the game. But the scenes and emotions and tears and applause and the mutual affection the fans shared with Andre can never be summarized in words.

When Becker aced one down the middle on match point to signal the end of Agassi era, 23,000 + courtside fans stood up in unison and gave the 36 year old retiring legend a heartfelt standing ovation that lasted, not 1, not 2, not 3, not 5, but the whole of 8 minutes and then some more.

Agassi's transformation is a great story. From the 16 something, baggy short sporting, long maned loud mouthed punk from Las vegas to the genial smile in place, soft spoken, shaven headed 36 year old in classic tennis whites statesman of the game is a success story that can hardly be matched. Along the way, he won a Wimbledon, a French , 2 US and 4 Australian Open titles, an Olympic Gold and Davis Cups for US. While he was at it, he won a million hearts worldwide and practically inspired thousands like me to pick up a racquet and give it everything on the court. What makes his a greater story is that he lost his focus and fitness midway, and was written off. He found a way to learn from his mistakes and comeback and become what he is today. That right there is an inspiration - not just in sport, but one for everyday life any person would do well to follow. That is what life is all about, isnt it, second chances and taking them.

Another fact about Agassi is apparently he is a very nice man to know and be friends with. He still has the same circle of friends he had when he was very young, and that he has taken care of them financially too. He has started his own foundation to help kids with education and college preparation in 2001 and has donated millions to charities endorsed by peers.

The impact he had on the game was in evident display from the innumerable moving moments from his farewell after his loss to Becker. Agassi's speech couldn't have been better if it had been read from a prescript,but yet, it wasnt and it came from the heart. “The scoreboard said I lost today. What the scoreboard doesn’t say is how much I’ve found. I found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and in life. I’ve found inspiration. You’ve willed me to succeed. I’ve found generosity. You’ve allowed me to stand on your shoulders to reach my dreams. And I will take you in my memory for the rest of my life.” That should go down as one of the greatest speeches ever made by any person.

The applause from fellow players was no less.
Fellow Americans Roddick and Blake showed their respect by bowing to fans in the trademark Agassi fashion of bowing and blowing kisses to 4 sides of the court after their respective wins. Blake even dressed up as Agassi of yore, sporting a white bandana and a black, white and neon red combo top to go with spandex shorts and matching shoes.
19 year old stalwart Rafael Nadal came courtside to catch a peek of Agassi's last game, as did 50 year old legend Martina Navratilova. Nadal and Brit Andy Murray later confessed they were moved to tears watching the great man's farewell speech.
Andre was given a standing ovation all the way along the passage till the players lounge, from where the players took it up. The ones in the waiting room and locker rooms stood up and applauded and appreciated the great man.
“The greatest applause that any person will ever receive in their life is that which comes from their peers,” said Agassi “ It's not like we're a company who's working together to accomplish something. We're people that succeed, in some cases, at the demise of the other. To have them applaud you is the ultimate compliment.”
Even the media snobs in the pressroom stood up in unison and clapped for Agassi, a honour never extended to any other player in the history of sport.

As for me, the greatest Agassi moment was not his last match and farewell, not the first Wimbledon he won, neither his classic 4 tiebreak loss to Sampras nor his run to the finals in last year's US Open. Those are just standout events in a star studded career and nothing more. They voice his appetite for healthy competion and a never say die attitude, a trait every player should have, but do not define the man himself. In fact, it was an incident that made a small splash and hence forgotten. In the late 90s, Agassi was scheduled to play an ATP tour tournament final against Sampras. Sampras went down with food poisoning and offered to retire. Agassi would have none of it. He volunteered to wait till Sampras got better and they played the final a day later. Agassi won and quipped "Now, that feels much better" and Sampras appreciate the gesture with a suprsisingly witty reply "Now, i feel much better too". That, for me, epitomizes sportmanship, a respect for the spirit of the game and consideration and appreciation for a fellow competitor. That, for me, is what Andre Agassi is all about and that is the reason my email will always be andre_ram@yahoo.com

THANKS ANDRE.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES MATE.
YOU ROCKED 20 YEARS AGO AND YOU ROCK NOW AND YOU'LL ROCK FOREVER.

PS - I do not have the heart to put a picture of a crying Andre. He will always be the ever smiling and the most complete tennis player in my book/page.

Adios, Andre