Agassi loses in 3rd Round to finish his career

#1

Posted: Sunday, September 3rd

Moving poorly and with great effort, Agassi lost the last match of his glorious career, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5. His career trademark was taking the ball early, on the rise, but on this day he was too often too late. Despite his inability to reach many shots at the edges of the court, he managed to stay in the match all the way to the end.

Amid a sustained standing ovation, Agassi, tears beginning, walked to the middle of the court and issued his signature four-corners, bow-and-kisses routine. Then he returned to his seat and, finally, he began to sob. The applause continued -- Becker never stopped -- and Agassi walked out for a second salute. He sat back down and buried his face in a towel and, still, the love flowed.

"I was sitting there realizing that I was saying goodbye to everybody out there," he said later, "and they were saying goodbye to me. Nothing I've ever experienced before. Overwhelmed -- was overwhelmed with how they embraced me at the end."

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis ... id=2571758

#2

damn i was hopin he would make the final again this yr at least.....

i loved watching him n courier n sampras play... after sampras retired i only really watched him for a while before i completely lost interest in the sport.....

but 36 is pretty damn old for a pro athlete....

#3

Yeah, those young guys dominate that sport man...I have alot of respect for tennis players, those guys are phenomenal athletes....

#4

I know I am getting old when the guys I used to watch as a kid are too old to compete anymore. Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras dominated tennis in the way that made me want to watch it. I wasn't old enough to enjoy John McEnroe, but I am glad I got to see Agassi and Sampras play in their prime.

#5

That was an emotional end to a great career. I am glad that the younger guys seem to understand how much he meant to tennis. Hopefully there will be others to fill his shoes.