Amazing to see Andre Agassi about to retire from pro tennis. I've been watching the guy since he came up in the late 80s. Long flowing hair, big attitude... piss and vinegar kind of thing.

Now he's retiring as the Zen master of tennis.

At least he made the transformation. John MacEnroe was always a tool and still is. Jimmy Connors was the first "bad boy" but he did alright toward the end becoming an adult.

Still, my favorite player of all time is Pete Sampras. I never saw anyone fight harder and show more champion spirit than that guy. There must be some statistic for most championship matches going into tiebreakers... Pete was unbelievable.

Anyway, kudos to Andre for a very long and distinguished men's singles career. I'm sure we'll continue to see a lot of him in the future.

 

 

I agree about Pete Sampras. The guy has class.

And a hot wife.

 

^ So true.

Interestingly, I just read in the wikipedia that Pete has some sort of energy-sapping congenital disorder. If that's true, it makes his accomplishments all the more amazing....

After watching him hurl in the upteenth tiebreaker with Boris Becker years ago (and winning!), I remain convinced that Pete's the man.

Agassi, though, outlasted him by 5 years, plus Agassi conquered the French Open (on clay i think), which Sampras could never do.

Sometimes I'm proud to be an American... Mostly not, but with these guys I am.

 

Image is everything....

 

Until of course you are reduced to a bald man not on top of your game anymore.

 

Oh like that would ever happen to me!

 

Not a chance, Mike.

 

Thanks, Andre, for 21 years.