Andre Agassi may be one of tennis' all-time greats, but he previously said that he wasn't
as happy with his career as people might think.
He revealed in his autobiography, which he published eight years ago, that his father
was the one who determined he would become a tennis player.
Although not unhappy with the way his life has turned out, the former World Number 1
once revealed in an interview, saying that despite his success, he didn't even enjoy
playing.
He also admitted that he wished he would have retired sooner.
Why did the former world number 1 feel he should have retired sooner?
Let's find out!
AGASSI ON HIS RETIREMENT On September 3rd, 2006, Agassi played his
last game as a professional against Benjamin Becker, who was ranked 112 at the time.
Agassi explained in an interview with The Guardian, "The real sadness in my fall occurred
amid my success.
It was the feeling of being disconnected from the game.
I developed a strong disdain and even hated tennis, despite the fact that I was brilliant
at it.
The gap was much bigger once you got to No. 1 because you thought being the greatest would
fill the emptiness.
I had no sensation.
Every day is Groundhog Day, and what's the point?"
Agassi, who is now a prominent educationist working to bring widespread learning to disadvantaged
children, admitted that if he had a choice, he would have taken a different route, but
he only has one regret.
Agassi was asked if the 2017 Australian Open final between Federer and Nadal made him wish
he could have been back on the court.
He replied, "No, lYou can't believe you were once at that level, and even if I could, I
wonder why people do it now.
Can you believe what these guys are still willing to put themselves through?
It's amazing, but I'd probably retire sooner if I could go back in time."
It's a remarkable admission from a man who found the desire to get to the top – and
even regained his position after losing it.
He claimed that he admired the effort that went into being the best version of oneself
but despised what the scoreboard left unsaid.
It just informs you whether you have won or lost."
If you think about it, it's somewhat strange that he hated a game he once loved.
But what could be the reason for this sudden hate?
It could probably be because, according to him, playing tennis to please his father,
who was so strict with him.
THE DAY AGASSI RETIRED Andre Agassi retired from tennis after being
knocked out of the US Open by Benjamin Becker in 2006.
In four sets, Agassi was defeated by Germany's 112th-ranked big-serving Benjamin Becker.
It ended a two-decade career that included eight grand slam victories, but only after
a standing ovation that took the American to tears on many occasions.
Following his Wimbledon exit in June with acute back problems giving the former world
number one tremendous suffering and discomfort anytime he was on the court, Agassi said the
tournament in New York would be his last.
After tough triumphs against Andrei Pavel and Marcos Baghdatis, Agassi managed to advance
to the third round before big-serving Becker ended his career with a 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5
victory.
The eight-time Grand Slam winner had expended too much energy in the previous round, losing
6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5 to Marcos Baghdatis.
After the game, fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium responded with an extended standing ovation
for the hometown hero, who then brushed away tears to make an emotional farewell speech.
Agassi remarked in his on-court interview with the fans, "The scoreboard showed I lost
today, but what the scoreboard doesn't tell is what I found.
I've discovered loyalty throughout the previous 21 years.
You have helped me succeed both on and off the court.
I've discovered motivation; you've pushed me to succeed, even when I was at my lowest."
"And I've discovered generosity; you've given me your shoulders to stand on in order to
achieve my goals, goals I could never have achieved without you.
I've found you throughout the previous 21 years, and I'll be grateful and carry your
memories with me for the rest of my life."
Agassi retired ten years after winning Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996, another honor on
his resume along with his already impressive eight major titles.
The first came in 1992 at Wimbledon, two years after he began to realize his full potential
with victory in the end-of-season Master's Cup, and was followed by a first US Open triumph
in 1994.
Agassi won the first of his four Australian Open titles in 1995, and he achieved a stunning
comeback to win the Roland Garros Grand Slam in 1999 after falling to 141 in the rankings
18 months prior, owing to a failed drugs test and a chronic ankle ailment.
Following his retirement, Agassi has used his foundation to generate funds for children
in Southern Nevada, where he lives with his wife Steffi Graf, who has won 22 grand slams,
and their children Jaden and Jaz.
￼
Agassi explains ten years later in an interview reported by The New York Times, "It truly
pulled together what it's all been about from the start, which has always been about people
and connection.
And it placed everything into perspective: the highs and lows, the victories and defeats,
the triumphs and comebacks.
I not only grew up in New York, but New York helped me grow up.
So, when it ended, and there was that raw emotion, it made me realize how intertwined
we'd all been over the years.
And I have to say, that was perhaps the most memorable experience I've ever had on a tennis
court."
What do you think about Andre's illustrious career?
Was he right to retire when he did?
Comment below!