I have gotten a few emails asking why I like Andre Agassi so much.
First, I like tennis. I like playing it and I like watching it. It is exciting, challenging, and a lot of fun.
Second, Andre Agassi is the first real athlete in any sport who I followed through their entire career. He was coming about at the time I was "mature" enough to pay attention and appreciate the game he was playing and how he played it. He was exciting, talented, a little cocky, and very entertaining. But there was something more - I still remember him overturning points called in his favor that were clearly his opponents; he wanted to win but did it with honor.
Over the years I watched him "grow up". He became #1. But he was very human - he struggled with the challenges we all struggle with, and tumbled from #1 to #141. But then he fought his way back to the top. His cocky "rebel" image changed to that of a legend, and an ambassador for the sport. And the people grew to love him - perhaps more than any other player who has ever played the game. It didn't matter if he was in the U.S. or England or France.
Which brings me to my third and most important point - Andre Agassi has HEART. He may not be the best tennis player ever, although his record speaks for itself. He is one of only five to win all four Grand Slam singles events during his career, and he is the only player in my lifetime to win every Grand Slam singles title, the Tennis Masters Cup, the Davis Cup, and an Olympic gold medal. Still, he may not be the best. But his heart makes him one of the (maybe THE) greatest ever.
And that is a life lesson we can all learn - approaching what you do with heart can make all of the difference between success and failure. Regardless of whether you play tennis, trade stocks, or raise your kids; if you do it with HEART you can overcome almost any obstacle.
P.S. - I didn't even mention that he is one of the few athletes that can actually be considered a role-model. Or his charitable ventures that he has become famous for...
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7 comments:
Wow... sure glad you posted that video. I completely echo your sentiments regarding Agassi. I too, grew up with Agassi (we're the same age) and when I was very active in tennis I would spend hours looking at his recorded (VHS no less) matches and playing points back in slow motion so I can mimmick his swing. Like you, I've seen him grow up, as I have, from a young 'punk' refusing to play Wimbledon because he didn't want to wear all-white to the man he is today that serves (or should) as a role model for not just tennis fans... but to anyone who's ever wanted to make a difference. I read somewhere that Agassi has raised over $20 million (may be higher) for charitable foundations... that's more than any other sports athlete - ever. Also, he switched from Nike to Addias just because Addias included that they would donate a portion of the proceeds to charity. I've been lucky enough to see him play at the US Open, Nasdaq-100 and at the French Open. He is a person to be admired for not only his tennis skills but for what he's done to make other lives better. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of him and with the Agassi-Graf genes... we may see another Agassi play in 12 years or so.
Great post, great correlation.
Good comments em. Thanks!
I don't believe he has won a grand slam. A grand slam is achieved by winning the Australian,French,Wimbledon and U.S. Open in the same calender year. Agassi has won all four of these slams but not in the same calender year.
edit made, anonymous...
good site
Andre currently ranks 7th on www.rankopedia.com in the ranking for "Best tennis player ever". The leader is Roger Federer.
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