Not Quite the End of an Era...

For the record, i have been a tennis player for 22 of my 30 years on this Earth. And for most of those years, I have considered myself a tennis purist. I don't believe in the idea of "rock 'n' roll" tennis, I don't like to see players on the court in jean shorts and shirtless, and I believe all white at Wimbledon is still a great idea that will never fall behind the times (now equal pay is a different story, but not for this entry). So needless to say, I was not a big fan of Andre Agassi when he hit the tennis scene some 20 years ago. The idea of long hair and spandex on the tennis court, combined with the unrivaled egoism of "Image is Everything" was enough to keep this tennis fan from supporting the "Andre" movement in the 1980's. I found it completely fitting, yet totally ironic that Agassi was not able to win his first Grand Slam title until 1992, when stripped of his image and clad totally in white, he beat Goran Ivanisevic in an epic struggle at Wimbledon. Yet as a fan of tennis, and more specifically American tennis, I feel almost forced to applaude the rebirth of Andre Agassi over the last 8 years, and applaude the effort last night as yet another great moment in the twilight hours of a great career.

For those outside the tennis world, Andre Agassi announced at Wimbledon this year that the US Open would be his last tournament as a professional. He has since then spent much of the summer working to become healthy enough to even complete, suffering through a 20 minute needle treatment on his back just three days ago. After his mediocre performance in the first round of the Open, most thought last night's match with 8th seeded Marcos Baghdatis under the lights would be his last. What happened instead was a display of superior tennis from Agassi, overcoming a younger and more powerful Baghdatis in five sets. Agassi knew that the US Open would be his last great chance to do well in a tournament. He knew the crowds and the media would support him and the USTA would give him all the opportunities to shine under the lights each and every match. And so far his plan has worked out. Agassi faces a newcomer from Germany in the third round, Benjamin Becker (no relation to Boris). Becker is 139th in the world, and a prime target to be overwhelmed by the power of night tennis in Flushing Meadows.

If Andre survives his third round match, he sets up a possible primetime fourth round showdown with Andy Roddick, who is trying to regain his own form under the watchful eye of tennis legend Jimmy Connnors. To me, the outcome of that match does not matter. Last night was all the tennis from Andre Agassi I needed to see to know that this US Open has been special and Andre can consider it a successful farewell. After all the support and cheers he has received from the fans at the US Open and around the country, Andre Agassi decided to give something back. He gave all of us a wonderful night of tennis from an aging American tennis icon, and for that I am grateful.