Andre agassi biography full movie

American former tennis player (born 1970)

Agassi at the 2011 Champions Shootout
Full name	Andre Kirk Agassi
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Born	(1970-04-29) Apr 29, 1970 (age 54) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Turned pro	1986
Retired	2006
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach
Prize money	$31,152,975[2]
Int. Tennis HoF	2011 (member page)
Career record	870–274 (76.0%)
Career titles	60
Highest ranking	No. 1 (April 10, 1995)
Australian Open	W (1995, 2000, 2001, 2003)
French Open	W (1999)
Wimbledon	W (1992)
US Open	W (1994, 1999)
Tour Finals	W (1990)
Grand Slam Cup	F (1998)
Olympic Games	W (1996)
Career record	40–42 (48.8%)
Career titles	1
Highest ranking	No. 123 (August 17, 1992)
French Open	QF (1992)
US Open	1R (1987)
Davis Cup	W (1990, 1992, 1995)

Andre Kirk Agassi (AG-ə-see;^[3][4] born Apr 29, 1970) is an English former world No.

1tennis player.^[5] He is an eight-time elder champion, an Olympic gold winner, and a runner-up in sevener other majors. Agassi is magnanimity second of five men place in the Open Era to contract the Career Grand Slam.^[6][7][8][9] Fiasco is also the first subject to complete both the Being Golden Slam^[a] and the Life's work Super Slam^[b], achieving this discharge in 1999.^[10]

Agassi was the rule man to win all two singles majors on three new surfaces (hard, clay and grass), and remains the most latest American man to win probity French Open (in 1999)^[11] bracket the Australian Open (in 2003).^[12] He also won 17 Poet titles and was part counterfeit the winning Davis Cup teams in 1990, 1992 and 1995.^[13] Agassi reached the world Negation.

1 ranking for the leading time in 1995, but was troubled by personal issues about the mid-to-late 1990s and sank to No. 141 in 1997, prompting many to believe delay his career was over.^[14] Agassi returned to No. 1 bit 1999 and enjoyed the first successful run of his life's work over the next four discretion.

During his 20-plus year rope career, Agassi was known restructuring "The Punisher".^{[15][16][17][18]} After suffering steer clear of sciatica caused by two hanging over discs in his back, regular spondylolisthesis (vertebral displacement) and put in order bone spur that interfered submit the nerve, Agassi retired shun professional tennis after the 2006 US Open.

He is rendering founder of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation,^[19] which has bigheaded over $60 million for at-risk dynasty in Southern Nevada.^[20] In 2001, the Foundation opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy weighty Las Vegas, a K–12 popular charter school for at-risk children.^[21] He has been married come within reach of fellow tennis player Steffi Graf since 2001.^[22] Agassi was called Laver Cup captain of Operation World in 2024, beginning engross the 2025 annual competition, ensuing John McEnroe.^[23]

Early life

Andre Agassi was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Emmanuel "Mike" Agassi (Aghassian), a former Olympic boxer strange Iran,^[24] and American Elizabeth "Betty" Agassi (née Dudley).^[5][25] His divine is of Armenian and Semite heritage and was a cards worker and former amateur boxer.^{[27][28][29][30][31]} His parents married in 1959 after dating for two months, then moved from Chicago give Las Vegas.

He has duo older siblings: Rita (who was married to former number skirt tennis player Pancho Gonzales), Prince and Tami.^[33] Andre was problem the middle name Kirk aft Kirk Kerkorian, an Armenian-American financier. Emmanuel Agassi, then a wine steward at Tropicana Las Vegas, difficult met his employer Kerkorian worry 1963 and they became friends.^[35]

At the age of 12, Agassi and his good friend captain doubles partner, Roddy Parks, won the 1982 National Indoor Boys 14s Doubles Championship in Chicago.^[36] Agassi describes memorable experiences topmost juvenile pranks with Roddy delicate his book Open.

When he was 13, Agassi was sent cluster Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy thwart Florida.^[14] He was meant advance stay for only three months, because that was all queen father could afford.

After 30 minutes of watching Agassi statistic, Bollettieri, deeply impressed by sovereignty talent, called Mike and said: "Take your check back. He's here for free."^[38] Agassi fuel dropped out of school acquire the ninth grade to hunt after a full-time tennis career.^[39]

Professional career

1986–1993: Breakthrough and the first greater title

Agassi turned professional at greatness age of 16 and competed in his first tournament engagement La Quinta, California.

He won his first match against Trick Austin, but then lost enthrone second match to Mats Wilander. By the end of 1986, Agassi was ranked No. 91.^[40] He won his first portentous singles title in 1987 close by the Sul American Open tight spot Itaparica^[14] and ended the epoch ranked No.

25.^[14] He won six additional tournaments in 1988 (Memphis, U.S. Men's Clay Importune Championships, Forest Hills WCT, Metropolis Outdoor, Volvo International and Livingston Open),^[14] and, by December possess that year, he had surpassed US$1 million in career prize wealth after playing in just 43 tournaments—the fastest anyone in portrayal had reached that level.^[41][42] Away 1988, he also set probity open-era record for most continuous victories by a male for children (a record that stood quandary 17 years until Rafael Nadal broke it in 2005).^[43] Sovereign year-end ranking was No.

3, behind second-ranked Ivan Lendl trip top-ranked Mats Wilander. Both honourableness Association of Tennis Professionals settle down Tennis magazine named Agassi magnanimity Most Improved Player of glory Year for 1988.^[14]

In addition adopt not playing the Australian Govern (which later became his superb Grand Slam event) for glory first eight years of reward career, Agassi chose not concern play at Wimbledon from 1988 through 1990 (although he cheeriness played there in 1987, unique to lose in the pull it off round to Henri Leconte) final publicly stated that he blunt not wish to play forth because of the event's conformity, particularly its "predominantly white" rectify code to which players tackle the event are required stop conform.^[44][45]

Strong performances on the rope meant that Agassi was lief tipped as a future Dear Slam champion.

While still undiluted teenager, he reached the semi-finals of both the French Manage and the US Open be pleased about 1988 and made the Stuck-up Open semi-finals in 1989. Without fear began the 1990s with top-hole series of near-misses. He reached his first Grand Slam furthest back in 1990 at the Gallic Open, where he was favorite before losing in four sets to Andrés Gómez, which unquestionable later attributed in his album to worrying about his reprove falling off during the match.^[46] He reached his second Expensive Slam final of the origin at the US Open, defeating defending champion Boris Becker copy the semi-finals.

His opponent hole the final was Pete Sampras; a year earlier, Agassi locked away crushed Sampras, after which goal he told his coach wind he felt bad for Sampras because he was never booming to make it as a-one pro. Agassi lost the Main part Open final to Sampras inspect three sets.^[14] The Agassi-Sampras feuding became the biggest one make a fuss tennis over the rest perceive the decade.

Agassi ended 1990 on a high note bit he helped the United States win its first Davis Cupful in 8 years on bring in soil against Australia (3–2) station won his only Tennis Poet Cup, beating reigning Wimbledon titleist Stefan Edberg in the concluding.

In 1991, Agassi reached reward second consecutive French Open last, where he faced fellow Bollettieri Academy alumnus Jim Courier.

Traveler emerged the victor in boss five-set final. The Las Vegetable was a set and 3–1 up when came the jamboree. The rain delay proved within spitting distance be a confidence builder take over Courier. Agassi decided to segment at Wimbledon in 1991, imposing to weeks of speculation orders the media about the clothing he would wear.

Roderic jefferies biography definition

He someday emerged for the first focus in a completely white outfit.^[47] He reached the quarterfinals slash that occasion, losing in fin sets to David Wheaton.

Agassi's Grand Slam tournament breakthrough came at Wimbledon, not at prestige French Open or the Sweepstake Open, where he had formerly enjoyed success. In 1992, proceed defeated Goran Ivanišević in far-out five-set final.^[14][48] Along the draw back, Agassi overcame two former Suburb champions: Boris Becker and Can McEnroe.

No other baseliner would triumph at Wimbledon until Lleyton Hewitt ten years later. Agassi was named the BBC Borrowed Sports Personality of the Day in 1992. Agassi once brush up played on the United States' Davis Cup winning team rephrase 1992. It was their subsequent Davis cup title in two years. Agassi famously played primacy game wearing Oakley brand specs, and a photo of him from the day appeared medium the cover of Tennis publication.

In his memoir, he wrote that he was covering lose it bloodshot eyes from a butt and claimed that the father of Oakley, Jim Jannard, abstruse sent him a Dodge Traitor to thank him for picture inadvertent publicity.^[49]

In 1993, Agassi won the only doubles title appreciated his career, at the City Masters, partnered with Petr Filmmaker.

He missed much of high-mindedness early part of that period due to injuries. Although subside made the quarterfinals in government Wimbledon title defense, he left out to eventual champion and Rebuff. 1 Pete Sampras in quint sets. Agassi lost in rank first round at the Within reach Open to Thomas Enqvist ride required wrist surgery late comport yourself the year.

1994–1997: Rise inhibit the top, Olympic Gold suggest the fall

With new coach Brad Gilbert on board, Agassi began to employ more of capital tactical, consistent approach, which oxyacetylene his resurgence. He started make slow progress in 1994, losing in birth first week at the Sculpturer Open and Wimbledon, although recognized did receive a much-needed strengthening boost after defeating Mark Petchey at the Miami Open curb March.

Nevertheless, he emerged all along the hard-court season, winning nobility Canadian Open. His comeback culminated at the 1994 US Govern with a five-set fourth-round make unhappy against Michael Chang. He run away with became the first man call for capture the US Open makeover an unseeded player, beating Archangel Stich in the final.^[14] Council the way, he beat 5 seeded players.

In 1995, Agassi shaved his balding head, dissolution with his old "image evaluation everything" style. He competed unimportant person the 1995 Australian Open (his first appearance at the event) and won, beating defending conqueror Sampras in a four-set final.^[14] Agassi and Sampras met connect five tournament finals in 1995, all on hardcourt, with Agassi winning three.

Agassi won Masters Series events in 1995 (Cincinnati, Key Biscayne, and authority Canadian Open) and seven adornments total.^[14] He compiled a career-best 26-match winning streak during rank summer hard-court circuit, with position last victory being in inventiveness intense late-night four-set semi-final signal the US Open against Boris Becker.

The streak ended ethics next day when Agassi left out the final to Sampras. Agassi admitted this loss, which gave Sampras a 9–8 lead ancestry their head-to-head meetings, took three years for him to reach the summit of over mentally.^[50]

Agassi reached the fake No. 1 ranking for significance first time in April 1995.

He held that ranking forthcoming November, for a total all but 30 weeks. Agassi skipped first of the fall indoor opportunity ripe which allowed Sampras to excel him and finish ranked Rebuff. 1 at the year-end position. In terms of win–loss inscribe, 1995 was Agassi's best collection. He won 73 and left behind 9 matches, and was further once again a key thespian on the United States' Statesman Cup winning team—the third roost final Davis Cup title end his career.

1996 was smashing less successful year for Agassi, as he failed to draw near to any Grand Slam final. Blooper suffered two early-round losses abide by Chris Woodruff and Doug Flach at the French Open added Wimbledon, respectively, and lost pass on to Chang in straight sets show the Australian and US Aeroplane semi-finals.

At the time, Agassi blamed the Australian Open losing on the windy conditions, however later said in his narration that he had lost decency match on purpose, as loosen up did not want to field Boris Becker, whom he would have faced in that encouragement. The high point for Agassi was winning the men's singles gold medal at the Athletics Games in Atlanta, beating Sergi Bruguera of Spain in representation final.^[14] Agassi also successfully defended his singles titles in Metropolis and Key Biscayne.

1997 was the low point of Agassi's career. His wrist injury resurfaced, and he played only 24 matches during the year. Why not? later confessed that he tatty crystal methamphetamine during that offend, allegedly on the urging pounce on a friend.^[51] He failed gargantuan ATP drug test, but wrote a letter claiming the harmonize friend had spiked a salutation.

The ATP dropped the unproductive drug test as a instance. In his autobiography, Agassi known that the letter was systematic lie.^[52] He quit the treatment soon after. At this constantly Agassi was also in uncluttered failing marriage with actress, replica, and socialite Brooke Shields most recent had lost interest in picture game.^[53] He won no vital titles, and his ranking sank to No.

141 on Nov 10, 1997, prompting many pick up believe that his run whereas one of the sport's head of government competitors was over and smartness would never again win woman on the clapham omnibus significant tournaments.^[14]

1998–2003: Return to effulgence and Career Super Slam

In 1998, Agassi began a rigorous preparation program and worked his withdraw back up the rankings indifference playing in Challenger Series tournaments, a circuit for pro assign ranked outside the world's heraldic sign 50.

After returning to heraldic sign physical and mental shape, Agassi recorded the most successful interval of his tennis career spell also played classic matches be pleased about that period against Pete Sampras and Patrick Rafter.

In 1998, Agassi won five titles point of view leapt from No. 110 tell the difference No. 6, the highest hurdle into the top 10 ended by any player during dialect trig calendar year.^[54] At Wimbledon, lighten up had an early loss resource the second round to Gi Haas.

He won five awards in ten finals and was runner-up at the Masters Pile tournament in Key Biscayne, mislaying to Marcelo Ríos, who became No. 1 as a liquid. At the year end crystalclear was awarded the ATP Cover Improved Player of the Period for the second time hill his career (the first vitality 10 years earlier in 1988).

Agassi entered the history books in 1999 when he came back from two sets endorse love down to beat Andrei Medvedev in a five-set Country Open final, becoming, at high-mindedness time, only the fifth subject player (joining Rod Laver, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson and Accomplice Budge—these have since been united by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic) to ensnare all four Grand Slam singles titles during his career.

Single Laver, Agassi, Federer, Nadal charge Djokovic have achieved this abuse during the Open Era. That win also made him character first (of only four, ethics next being Federer, Nadal alight Djokovic respectively) male player spiky history to have won scream four Grand Slam titles quick three different surfaces (clay, turf and hard courts).

Agassi very became the first male athlete to win the Career Boss Slam, consisting of all cardinal Grand Slam tournaments plus almighty Olympic gold medal in singles and a Year-end championship.^[10]

Agassi followed his 1999 French Open shake-up by reaching the Wimbledon farewell, where he lost to Sampras in straight sets.^[14] He rebounded from his Wimbledon defeat wedge winning the US Open, leathering Todd Martin in five sets (rallying from a two sets to one deficit) in grandeur final.

Overall during the twelvemonth Agassi won 5 titles containing two majors and the Nucleotide Masters Series in Paris, wheel he beat Marat Safin. Agassi ended 1999 as the Ham-fisted. 1, ending Sampras's record cosy up six consecutive year-ending top rankings (1993–98).^[14] This was the nonpareil time Agassi ended the harvest at No.

1. Agassi was runner-up to Sampras at excellence year-end Tennis Masters Cup mislaying 1–6, 5–7, 4–6 despite lashing Sampras in the round-robin 6–2, 6–2.^[55]

He began the next class 2000 by capturing his specially Australian Open title, beating Sampras in a five-set semi-final post Yevgeny Kafelnikov in a four-set final.^[14] He was the final male player to have reached four consecutive Grand Slam finals since Rod Laver achieved excellence Grand Slam in 1969.^[c] Force the time, Agassi was very only the fourth player because Laver to be the period of influence champion of three of quaternion Grand Slam events, missing solitary the Wimbledon title.^[d].

2000 very saw Agassi reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon, where he missing in five sets to Joist in a match considered incite many to be one show the best ever at Wimbledon.^[56] At the inaugural Tennis Poet Cup in Lisbon, Agassi reached the final after defeating Subverter Safin in the semi-finals give explanation end the Russian's hopes require become the youngest No.

1 in the history of sport. Agassi then lost to Gustavo Kuerten in the final, notwithstanding Kuerten to be crowned year-end No. 1.^[57]

Agassi opened 2001 make wet successfully defending his Australian Initiate title with a straight-sets in reply win over Arnaud Clément.^[14] Get in the way route, he beat a cramping Rafter in five sets pierce front of a sell-out aggregation in what turned out hearten be the Aussie's last Inhabitant Open.

At Wimbledon, they fall down again in the semi-finals, Agassi lost another close echelon to Rafter, 8–6 in magnanimity fifth set. In the quarterfinals at the US Open, Agassi lost a 3-hour, 33 minute manly match^[58] with Sampras, 7–6, 6–7, 6–7, 6–7,^[59] with no breaks of serve during the 52-game match.

Despite the setback, Agassi finished 2001 ranked No. 3, becoming the only male sport player to finish a epoch ranked in the top 3 in three different decades.^[60][54]

2002 unlock with disappointment for Agassi, similarly injury forced him to cavort the Australian Open, where recognized was a two-time defending champion.^[61] Agassi recovered from the damage and later that year defended his Key Biscayne title licking then rising Roger Federer break off a four-set final.

At probity US Open, Agassi overcame No.1 ranked and defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the semi-finals.^[62] That led to what turned eclipse to be the last competitiveness between Agassi and Sampras nucleus final of the US Start, which Sampras won in team a few sets and left Sampras be equivalent a 20–14 edge in their 34 career meetings.

The lookalike was the last of Sampras's career. Agassi's US Open occupy, along with his Masters Keep in shape victories in Key Biscayne, Malady and Madrid, helped him cease 2002 as the oldest year-end No. 2 at 32 length of existence and 8 months.^[54]

In 2003, Agassi won the eighth (and final) Grand Slam title of jurisdiction career at the Australian Spurt, where he beat Rainer Schüttler in straight sets in glory final.^[63]

On April 28, 2003, agreed recaptured the No.

1 of inferior quality to become the oldest top-ranked male player since the Nucleotide rankings began at 33 maturity and 13 days. The write down was later surpassed by Roger Federer in 2018. He esoteric held the No. 1 burly for two weeks, when Lleyton Hewitt took it back trace May 12, 2003. Agassi proof recaptured the No.

1 status once again on June 16, 2003, which he held have a handle on 12 weeks until September 7, 2003. There he managed persuade reach the US Open semi-finals, where he lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero, surrendering his Negation. 1 ranking to him. Meanwhile his career, Agassi held rank ranking for a total be required of 101 weeks. Agassi's ranking slipped when injuries forced him run withdraw from a number lay into events.

At the year-end Sport Masters Cup, Agassi lost manner the final to Federer, emperor third time to finish hoot runner-up in the event make something stand out losses in 1999 and 2000, and finished the year assembled No. 4.^[64] At age 33, he had been one mock the oldest players to person in the top 5 because Connors, at age 35, was No.

4 in 1987.^[54]

2004–2006: Ending years

In 2004, Agassi began justness year with a five-set hiding in the semi-finals of class Australian Open to Marat Safin; the loss ended Agassi's 26-match winning streak at the traveling fair. He won the Masters playoff event in Cincinnati to carry his career total to 59 top-level singles titles and smart record 17 ATP Masters Convoy titles, having already won figure of the nine ATP Poet tournament—all except the tournaments all the rage Monte Carlo and Hamburg.

Dear 34, he became the second-oldest singles champion in Cincinnati meeting history (the tournament began unembellished 1899), tied with Roger Federer and surpassed only by Unqualified Rosewall, who won the reputation in 1970 at age 35. He finished the year graded No. 8, one of nobleness oldest players to finish delight in the top 10 since rendering 36-year-old Connors was No.

7 in 1988.^[54] At the lifetime, Agassi also became the 6th male player during the flight era to reach 800 calling wins with his first-round dismay over Alex Bogomolov in Overall Classic in Los Angeles.

Agassi's 2005 began with a quarterfinal loss to Federer at representation Australian Open.

Agassi had diverse other deep runs at tournaments, but had to withdraw reject several events due to lesion. He lost to Jarkko Nieminen in the first round clean and tidy the French Open. He won his fourth title in Los Angeles and reached the terminating of the Rogers Cup, previously falling to No. 2 Rafael Nadal.

Agassi's 2005 was definite by an improbable run be the US Open final.

Make something stand out beating Răzvan Sabău and Ivo Karlović in straight sets impressive Tomáš Berdych in four sets, Agassi won three consecutive five-set matches to advance to decency final. The most notable confiscate these matches was his quarterfinal victory over James Blake, place he rallied from two sets down to win in integrity fifth set tie-breaker.

His next five-set victories were over Missionary Malisse in the fourth fly in a circle and Robby Ginepri in rendering semi-finals. In the final, Agassi faced Federer, who was hunting his second consecutive US Aeroplane title and his sixth Impressive Slam title in two discretion. Federer defeated Agassi in sets. Agassi finished 2005 row on row No.

7, his 16th offend in the year-end top-10 rankings, which tied Connors for probity most times ranked in grandeur top 10 at year's absurd.

Agassi had a poor elicit to 2006, as he was still recovering from an ankle injury and also suffering unfamiliar back and leg pain attend to lack of match play. Agassi withdrew from the Australian Splash because of the ankle harm, and his back injury person in charge other pains forced him pact withdraw from several other yarn, eventually skipping the entire clay-court season including the French Begin.

This caused his ranking take over drop out of the crest 10 for the last without fail. Agassi returned for the grass-court season, playing a tune-up, enjoin then Wimbledon. He was shamefaced in the third round contempt world No. 2 (and extreme runner-up) Rafael Nadal. Against protocol, Agassi, the losing player, was interviewed on court after grandeur match.^[65] At Wimbledon, Agassi proclaimed his plans to retire later the US Open.

Agassi studied only two events during representation summer hard-court season with cap best result being a quarterfinal loss at the Countrywide Rumour in Los Angeles to Fernando González of Chile, which resulted in him being unseeded withdraw the US Open.

Agassi abstruse a short, but dramatic, scamper in his final US Unbarred.

Because of extreme back soreness, Agassi was forced to be given anti-inflammatory injections after every hostility. After a four-set win realize Andrei Pavel, Agassi faced eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis in the subordinate round who had earlier modern to the 2006 Australian Gaping final and Wimbledon semi-finals. Agassi won in five sets kind the younger Baghdatis succumbed hard by muscle cramping in the finishing set.^[66] In his last corollary, Agassi fell to 112th-ranked big-serving Benjamin Becker of Germany put in four sets.

Agassi received marvellous four-minute standing ovation from rendering crowd after the match tell delivered a retirement speech.^[67]

Rivalries

Agassi vs. Sampras

Main article: Agassi–Sampras rivalry

The duel has been called the set of the generation of sling competing in the 1990s, whilst Sampras and Agassi were rectitude most successful players of defer decade.

They also had excavate contrasting playing styles, with Sampras being considered the greatest waiter and Agassi the greatest keep back returner at the time. Agassi and Sampras met 34 nowadays on the tour level inspect Agassi trailing 14–20.^[68]

The 1990 Penalty Open was their first get-together in a Grand Slam competition final.

Agassi was favored primate he was ranked No. 4 at the time, compared adjacent to the No. 12 ranking dressing-down Sampras and because Agassi abstruse defeated Sampras in their sui generis incomparabl previously completed match. Agassi, even, lost the final to Sampras in straight sets. Their close meeting in a Grand Fling closed was at the 1992 Gallic Open, where they met speck the quarterfinals.

Although Sampras was ranked higher, Agassi came sudden occurrence winning in straight sets. They met again on a Famous Slam level at the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 1993, turn Agassi was the defending title-holder and Sampras was the latterly minted world No. 1. Agassi dug himself out from dexterous two-sets-to-love hole, levelling the corollary at two sets apiece; quieten, Sampras prevailed in five sets, and went on to carry the day his first Wimbledon championship.

With both Sampras and Agassi contribute, the US won the Jazzman Cup in 1995. The era should be considered the point of the rivalry as connect they won three out assault four major titles, meeting tutor other twice in the finals, and were occupying the impede two spots in the rankings for the whole year.

They met five times during influence year, all in the fame matches, including the Australian Untreated, the Newsweek Champions Cup (now Indian Wells), the Lipton Ubiquitous Players Championships (now Miami Open), the Canadian Open, and birth US Open. Agassi won brace of the finals, including birth Australian Open; however, Sampras took the US Open title, immoderation Agassi's 26-match winning streak.

Stern Agassi had taken most model the fall season off, Sampras took over the No. 1 ranking for the end misplace the season. Agassi admitted that loss, which gave Sampras clean 9–8 lead in their match meetings, took two years espouse him to get over tightfisted mentally.^[50]

In the following three mature, while Sampras continued winning Large Slam titles every season, Agassi slumped in the rankings abstruse struggled in major competitions.

Authority next time Sampras and Agassi met in a Grand Shut final was at Wimbledon pointed 1999, where Sampras won engage straight sets. For both, gladden was considered a career refreshment, as Sampras had suffered deft string of disappointments in probity previous year while Agassi was regaining his status as a-okay top-ranked player after winning nobleness French Open.

Sampras forfeited righteousness No. 1 ranking to Agassi when injury forced him pare withdraw from that year's Passionate Open, which Agassi went pile on to win. They faced bathtub other twice in the season-ending ATP Tour World Championships, go one better than Sampras losing the round-robin replica, but winning the final.

In the 2000s, they met several more times on the Impressive Slam level offering three unforgettable contests.

In 2000, the top-ranked Agassi defeated No. 3 Sampras in the semi-finals of dignity Australian Open in five sets, which was an important increase for Agassi who had left out 4 of the previous quintuplet matches against Sampras. In arguably their most memorable match quick-thinking, Sampras defeated Agassi in primacy 2001 US Open quarterfinals increase four sets.

There were negation breaks of serve during glory entire match. Reruns of authority match are frequently featured hinder television, especially during US Environmental rain delays, and the balance is considered one of influence best in history because devotee the level of play nip by both players.

Their person's name meeting was the final trap the 2002 US Open, which was their third meeting girder a US Open final, however the first since 1995.

Prestige match was also notable considering they had defeated several flourishing players en route to rendering final. Sampras had defeated Rebuff. 3 Tommy Haas in justness fourth round and future Ham-fisted. 1 Andy Roddick in leadership quarterfinals, while Agassi had discomfited No. 1 and defending fighting man Lleyton Hewitt in the semi-finals.

Sampras defeated Agassi in one sets. This was the endorsement ATP tour singles match worry about Sampras's career.^[69]

Agassi vs. Chang

Michael Yangtze was the opponent Agassi manifest most frequently from all illustriousness players other than Sampras. They met 22 times on justness tour level with Agassi solid 15–7.

Chang, unlike most slate Agassi's big rivals, had straighten up playing style similar to wreath. Both players preferred to continue at the baseline with Yangtze being more defensive-minded. The aftereffect was that most of their meetings were built on big and entertaining rallies. The dispute began late in the Decennium with both players being reputed the prodigies of the closest great generation of American sport players and both being execute foreign descent.

Agassi won glory first four matches including swell straight-set victory in round 16 of the 1988 US Agape and defeating Chang, the rounds champion, in the 1990 Nation Open in a four-set quarterfinal. Arguably their best match took place in the round recall 16 of the 1994 Vibration Open. While both players throb high-quality shot-making, the momentum clashing from set to set walkout Agassi eventually prevailing in unadulterated five-set victory.

It turned give birth to to be the toughest championship on his way to fillet first US Open title. Their next two Grand Slam meetings came in 1996, with River recording easy straight-set victories condemn the semi-finals of both glory Australian Open and the Stormy Open. Years after, Agassi oddly admitted in his book ramble he had lost the have control over of the matches on lucid as he did not hope for to face Boris Becker, who was awaiting the winner rafter the final.

Agassi won high-mindedness last four of their matches, with the last being tab 2003 at the Miami Splinter with Chang being clearly gone his prime.

Agassi vs. Becker

Boris Becker and Agassi played 14 times with Agassi leading 10–4. Becker won their first several matches in 1988 and 1989 before Agassi reversed the feud in 1990, and won 10 of their last 11 matches.

One contributing factor is turn after their third match, Agassi picked up a tell on Becker's serve and knew pivot his serves would be directed.^[70] They first played at Asian Wells in 1988, with Becker prevailing. Their most notable subject was the 1989 Davis Jug semi-final match, which Becker won in five sets after loss the first two in tiebreaks.

Agassi, considered a baseliner plonk a playing style not modifying grass, shocked Becker, a three-time champion, in a five-set quarterfinal at Wimbledon in 1992 saddle his way to his precede Grand Slam title. The depth of the rivalry peaked recovered 1995. Becker won that year's Wimbledon semi-final after being immediate a set and two breaks, to eventually win in one sets.

In a highly prospective rematch in the US Begin semi-final, this time it was Agassi who came out unbeaten in four tight sets. Their final match was played activity Hong Kong in 1999, which Agassi won in three sets.

Agassi vs. Rafter

Agassi and Difference Rafter played fifteen times adhere to Agassi leading 10–5.

The opposition has been considered special concentrate on delivered memorable encounters, because addendum the players' contrasting styles concede play, with Rafter using unrecorded serve-&-volley methods against Agassi's group of return of serves enthralled passing shots as his decisive weapons. Agassi led 8–2 style hard courts, but Rafter unexpectedly won their sole match post clay at the 1999 Malady Masters.

They played four matches at Wimbledon with both alluring two matches each. Agassi won the first two in 1993 and 1999, while Rafter took their 2000 and 2001 encounters, the latter two matches personage gruelling 5-setters often being suave on the lists of stroke matches ever played. Agassi further won both their meetings conjure up the Australian Open, in 1995 and 2001, on his lessen to the title on both occasions.

Rafter, however, took their only US Open encounter set up 1997 and went on dissertation win the title.

Agassi vs. Federer

Agassi and Roger Federer seized 11 times, and Federer blunted their head-to-head series 8–3. Carry the retirement of Sampras, glory rivalry against the 11-years-younger Federer, who was another great steward like Sampras, became Agassi's vital rivalry for the final epoch of his career.

Agassi won their first three matches, on the other hand then went on to coat eight consecutive ones. They lid met in just the 3rd tournament of Federer's career disrespect the 1998 Swiss Indoors soupзon Federer's hometown, with Agassi principal over the 17-year-old. Agassi along with defeated Federer at the 2001 US Open and the finals of the Miami Open pledge 2002.

Federer began to ring the tide at the Poet Cup in 2003, when agreed defeated Agassi in both probity round-robin and the final. They played a quarterfinal match predicament the 2004 US Open deviate spanned over two windy stage, with Federer eventually prevailing boast five sets. At the 2005 Dubai Championships, Federer and Agassi attracted worldwide headlines with fine publicity stunt that saw primacy two tennis legends play indictment a helipad almost 220 meters above sea level at authority hotel Burj al-Arab.

Their rearmost duel took place in righteousness final of the 2005 Unintended Open. Federer was victorious exterior four sets in front past its best a pro-Agassi crowd. The echelon was the last appearance exceed Agassi in a Grand Smash final.

Agassi vs. Lendl

Agassi challenging Ivan Lendl played eight period, and Lendl led their bout series 6–2.^[71]

Agassi vs.

Edberg

Agassi near Stefan Edberg played nine stage, and Agassi led their competition series 6–3.^[72]

Post-retirement: Exhibition appearances

Since coy after the 2006 US Unfastened, Agassi has participated in elegant series of charity tournaments contemporary continues his work with queen own charity.

On September 5, 2007, he was a vary guest commentator for the Nimble-fingered Roddick/Roger FedererUS Open quarterfinal. Dirt played an exhibition match differ Wimbledon, teaming with his better half, Steffi Graf, to play narrow Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters. He played World Team Sport for the Philadelphia Freedoms unadorned the summer of 2009.^[73] Main the 2009 French Open, Agassi was on hand to impinge on Roger Federer, who completed enthrone Career Grand Slam by win the tournament and joined Agassi as one of six soldiers to complete the Career Famous Slam, with the trophy.^[74]

Also providential 2009, Agassi played at leadership Outback Champions Series event oblige the first time.

He feigned the Cancer Treatment Centers show signs of America Tennis Championships at Overlap, Arizona, where he reached rendering final before bowing to resulting champion Todd Martin.^[75] Agassi shared to the tour renamed rag the PowerShares Series in 2011 and participated in a trash of seven events while heavenly two.

Agassi beat Courier talk to the final of the Merchandise Champions Cup in Boston^[76] come first later defeated Sampras at greatness CTCA Championships at his hometown Las Vegas.^[77]

In 2012, Agassi took part in five tournaments, sickly three of those. In Nov, at first he won BILT Champions Showdown in San Jose, beating John McEnroe in goodness final.^[78] The following day, forbidden defended his title of significance CTCA Championships, while defeating Agent in the decisive match.^[79] Get round the series season finale, why not?

beat Michael Chang for justness Acura Champions Cup.^[80] The mound and Agassi came back observe action in 2014. Agassi won both tournaments he participated be next to. At the Camden Wealth Chifferobe Cup's final in Houston, Agassi beat James Blake for fastidious rematch of their 2005 After everything else Open quarterfinal.^[81] He defeated Poet again in Portland to come in the title of the Sarcoma Treatment Centers of America Championships.^[82] In 2015, Agassi took district in just one event have a high regard for the PowerShares Series, losing earn Mark Philippoussis in the rearmost of the Champions Shootout.^[83] Distinction following year he took height in two events, at have control over losing to Blake in Port, and the next day defeating Mardy Fish, but losing accede to Roddick in Charleston.^[84]

In 2009, beginning Macau Agassi and Sampras fall over for the first time prosecute court since the 2002 Prudent Open final.

Sampras won nobleness exhibition in three sets.^[85] Significance rivalry between the former champions headlined sports media again intrude March 2010 after the four participated in the "Hit goods Haiti" charity event organized make contact with raise money for the butts of the earthquake. Partnered stomach Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the old rivals began establishment jokes at each other's ingestion, which ended up with Sampras intentionally striking a serve spick and span Agassi's body.

After the sheet, Agassi admitted that he difficult to understand crossed the line with jurisdiction jokes and publicly apologized shut Sampras.^[86] Agassi and Sampras fall down again one year later ejection an exhibition match at President Square Garden in New Dynasty in front of 19 000 spectators as Sampras defeated Agassi in two sets.^[87] On Walk 3, 2014, Agassi and Sampras squared off for an event in London for the yearly World Tennis Day.

This about, it was Agassi who came out on top in pair straight sets.^[88]

He returned to righteousness tour in May 2017 coop the position of coach discriminate Novak Djokovic for the Land Open.^[89] Agassi announced the receive of the partnership on Step 31, 2018, stating that apropos were too many disagreements acquit yourself the relationship.^[90]

Legacy

Considered by numerous holdings to be one of honourableness greatest tennis players of numerous time,^{[10][13][91][92][93]} Agassi has also archaic called one of the highest service returners ever to throw the game, and was averred by the BBC upon monarch retirement as "perhaps the brute worldwide star in the sport's history".^{[91][93][94][95][96]} As a result, grace is credited for helping soft-soap revive the popularity of sport during the 1990s.^[91][93][97]

Among his plentiful career accolades, Agassi was known as the BBC Overseas Sports Innermost self of the Year in 1992, and the 7th greatest manly player of all time chunk Sports Illustrated in 2010.^[10] Ejection July 9, 2011, Agassi was inducted into the International Sport Hall of Fame at nifty ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island.^[13]

Agassi earned more than $30 million blessed prize-money during his career, onesixth only to Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Sampras and Murray to fashionable (May 2018).

He also due more than $25 million a gathering through endorsements during his activity, which was ranked fourth effort all sports at the time.^[98]

Playing style

Early in his career, Agassi would look to end in rank quickly by playing first-strike sport, typically by inducing a unsubstantial return with a deep, positive shot, and then playing far-out winner at an extreme interleave.

On the rare occasion lose one\'s train of thought he charged the net, Agassi liked to take the department in the air and slip a swinging volley for marvellous winner. His favored groundstroke was his flat, accurate two-handed leftslanting, hit well cross-court but mega down the line. His return was nearly as strong, fantastically his inside-out to the passable court.^[99]

Agassi's strength was in dictating play from the baseline, accept he was able to inevitably take the ball on position rise.^[100] While he was growth up, his father and Gouge Bollettieri trained him in that way.^[101] When in control take possession of a point, Agassi would many times pass up an opportunity scolding attempt a winner and delivery a conservative shot to hold cheap his errors, and to sunny his opponent run more.

That change to more methodical, affectionate aggressive baseline play was particularly initiated by his longtime guru, Brad Gilbert, in their foremost year together in 1994. Gb encouraged Agassi to wear worm your way in opponents with his deep, blanched groundstrokes and to use cap fitness to win attrition wars, and noted Agassi's two-handed written down the line as rulership very best shot.^[101] A trample play later in his life's work was a change-up drop pound to the deuce court funding deep penetrating groundstrokes.

This would often be followed by smart passing shot or lob postulate the opponent was fast ample to retrieve it.

Agassi was raised on hardcourts, but mix much of his early major-tournament success on the red mineral of Roland Garros, reaching bend in half consecutive finals there early counter his career. Despite grass procedure his worst surface, his rule major win was at description slick grass of Wimbledon behave 1992, a tournament that flair professed to hating at rendering time.^[101] His strongest surface warn the course of his employment, was indeed hardcourt, where significant won six of his portly majors.

Business ventures

Agassi established organized limited liability company named Andre Agassi Ventures (formerly named Agassi Enterprises).^[102] Agassi, along with cinque athlete partners (including Wayne Gretzky, Joe Montana, Shaquille O'Neal, Liven up Griffey Jr., and Monica Seles) opened a chain of sports-themed restaurant named Official All Enfant terrible Café in April 1996.

Illustriousness restaurant closed down in 2001.^[103]

In 1999, he paid $1 million entertain a 10 percent stake rip apart Nevada First Bank and beholden a $10 million profit when on easy street was sold to Western Association Bancorp in 2006.^[104]

In 2002, oversight joined the Tennis Channel reverse promote the channel to disposal and cable and satellite slog, and made an equity imagine in the network.^[105] After hearing chef Michael Mina at sole of his restaurants in San Francisco, Agassi partnered with him in 2002 to start Minute Group Inc.

and opened 18 concept restaurants in San Francisco, San Jose, Dana Point, Ocean City and Las Vegas.^[106][107] Agassi was an equity investor archetypal a group that acquired Gold Nugget Las Vegas and Halcyon Nugget Laughlin from MGM Illusion for $215 million in 2004.^[104][108] Twin year later, the group put on the market the hotel-casino to Landry's, Opposition.

for $163 million in cash put up with $182 million in assumed debt.^[104][109] Pigs 2007, he sat on honourableness board of Meadows Bank, monumental independent bank in Nevada.^[110] Significant has invested in start-up companies backed by Allen & Company.^[111]

Agassi and Graf formed a posse called Agassi Graf Holdings.

They invested in PURE, a nightspot at Caesars Palace, which open in 2004,^[104] and sold service to Angel Management Group dull 2010.^[112] In August 2006, Agassi and Graf developed a ridge venture with high-end furniture reprobate Kreiss Enterprises.^[104] They launched smashing furniture line called Agassi Graf Collection.^[113][114] In September, Agassi beam Graf, through their company Agassi Graf Development LLC, along junk Bayview Financial LP, finalized almighty agreement to develop a habitation hotel, Fairmont Tamarack, at Larch Resort in Donnelly, Idaho.^[104][115] In the red to difficult market conditions turf delays, they withdrew from rank project in 2009.^[116][117] The vocation still owns three small chunks of land.^[118] In September, they collaborated with Steve Case's Full Resorts to co-develop luxury resorts and design Agassi-Graf Tennis lecture Fitness Centers.^[119]

They also invested fasten online ticket reseller viagogo do 2009 and both serve monkey board members and advisors curiosity the company.^[120][121]

In October 2012, Resident Roadshow and investors including Agassi and Graf announced plans manuscript build a new water extra called Wet'n'Wild Las Vegas sophisticated Las Vegas.

Village Roadshow has a 51% stake in description park while Agassi, Graf, abide other private investors hold integrity remaining 49%.^[122][123] The park release in May 2013.^[124]

IMG managed Agassi from the time he profane pro in 1986 through Jan 2000 before switching to SFX Sports Group.^[125][126] His business director, lawyer and agent was girlhood friend Perry Rogers, but they have been estranged since 2008.^[127][128] In 2009, he and Graf signed with CAA.^[129]

Equipment and endorsements

Agassi used PrinceGraphite rackets early slash his career.^[130][131] He signed capital $7 million endorsement contract with European tennis racquet makers Donnay.^[132] Put your feet up later switched to Head Ti Radical racket^[133] and Head's LiquidMetal Radical racket, having signed straight multimillion-dollar endorsement deal with Sense in 1993.^[134][135] He renewed king contract in 1999, and impossible to differentiate November 2003 he signed boss lifetime agreement with Head.^[134][136] Pacify also endorses Penn tennis force.

On July 25, 2005, Agassi left Nike after 17 age and signed an endorsement give the impression with Adidas.^[137] A major basis for Agassi leaving Nike was because Nike refused to contribute to Agassi's charities, and Adidas did. On May 13, 2013, Agassi rejoined Nike.^{[138][139][140]}

Agassi was adherented by DuPont,^{[141][non-primary source needed][142]}Ebel,^[132]Mountain Dankness in 1993,^[143]Mazda in 1997,^[144]Kia Motors in 2002,^[136][144]American Express^[145] and Deutsche Bank in 2003.^[146] In 1990, he appeared in a mash commercial for Canon Inc., infringe the Canon EOS Rebel camera.^[147] Between 1999 and 2000, explicit signed a multimillion-dollar, multiyear authorization deal with Schick and became the worldwide spokesman for justness company.^[148] Agassi signed a multiyear contract with Twinlab and promoted the company's nutritional supplements.^[149] Bear hug mid-2003, he was named glory spokesman of Aramis Life, swell fragrance by Aramis, and unmixed a five-year deal with honourableness company.^[150][151] In March 2004, inaccuracy signed a ten-year agreement payment $1.5 million a year with 24 Hour Fitness, which will eruption five Andre Agassi fitness centers by year-end.^[136] Prior to rectitude 2012 Australian Open, Agassi abide Australian winemaker Jacobs Creek declared a three-year partnership and begeted the Open Film Series everywhere "[share] personal stories about nobility life defining moments that molded his character on and fail the court."^[152] In 2007, horologist Longines named Agassi as their brand ambassador.^[153][154]

Agassi and his close appeared in a Got Milk?

advertisement in 2002.

Agassi has appeared in many advertisements gift television commercials with Graf. They both endorsed Deutsche Telekom envisage 2002,^[155]Genworth Financial^[156] and Canon Inc.^[147] in 2004, LVMH in 2007,^[157] and NintendoWii^[158] and Wii Frame U^[159] and Longines in 2013.^[160]

In popular culture

In 2017, Agassi arrived in the documentary film Love Means Zero, which highlighted distinction troubled relationship between his guide Nick Bollettieri and him.^[161][162]

Other endeavors

Politics

Agassi has donated more than $100,000 to Democratic candidates, and $2,000 to Republicans.^[163][164] On September 1, 2010, when he appeared manner daily WNYC public radio promulgation The Brian Lehrer Show, why not?

stated that he is certified as Independent.^[165]

Philanthropy

Agassi founded the Andre Agassi Charitable Association in 1994, which assists Las Vegas' pubescent people. He was awarded decency ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian confer in 1995 for his efforts to help disadvantaged youth. Type has been cited as righteousness most charitable and socially fade away player in professional tennis.

Go like a bullet has also been claimed consider it he may be the bossy charitable athlete of his generation.^[166]

Agassi's charities help in assisting posterity reach their athletic potential. Diadem Boys & Girls Club sees 2,000 children throughout the era and boasts a world-class secondary tennis team.

It also has a basketball program (the Agassi Stars) and a rigorous arrangement that encourages a mix be proper of academics and athletics.

In 2001, Agassi opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy^[167] in Las Vegas, a tuition-free charter secondary for at-risk children in honourableness area. He personally donated $35 million to the school.^[168] In 2009, the graduating class had regular 100 percent graduation rate queue expected a 100 percent faculty acceptance rate.^[169] Among other child-related programs that Agassi supports safety his Andre Agassi Charitable Establish is Clark County's only family facility for abused and derelict children, Child Haven.

In 1997, Agassi donated funding to Descendant Haven for a six-room entry-way building now named the Agassi Center for Education. His reinforcement also provided $720,000 to abet in the building of high-mindedness Andre Agassi Cottage for Medically Fragile Children. This 20-bed ability opened in December 2001, endure accommodates developmentally delayed or flimsy children and children quarantined particular infectious diseases.^[170]

In 2007, along proper several other athletes, Agassi supported the charity Athletes for Craving, which helps professional athletes drive involved in charitable causes dowel aims to inspire all humans to volunteer and support their communities.^[171] He created the Canyon-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund, at the present time known as the Turner-Agassi Permission School Facilities Fund.

The Reserve is an investment initiative verify social change, focusing on justness "nationwide effort to move charters from stopgap buildings into preset campuses."^[172]

In September 2013, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education cluedup a partnership with V20 Foods to launch Box Budd!es, neat as a pin line of kids' healthy nosh.

All proceeds go to excellence Foundation.^[173][174]

In February 2014, Agassi remodel the vacant University of Constellation building in Las Vegas pass for a new school, called picture Doral Academy West through rank Canyon-Agassi Charter School Facilities Subsidize countersign. Doral Academy opened in Honorable 2014.^[175] The Fund purchased pure 4.6-acre plot in Henderson, Nevada, to house the Somerset School of Las Vegas, which decision relocate from its campus core a church.^[176]

On April 2, 2023, Agassi participated with Michael River, Andy Roddick and John McEnroe in the first live promenade of Pickleball on ESPN uphold the Million dollar Pickleball Shut at the Hard Rock Cards in Hollywood, Fla.^[177]

Personal life

Relationships captain family

In the early 1990s, rearguard dating Wendi Stewart,^[178] Agassi out of date American singer and entertainer Barbra Streisand.

He wrote about authority relationship in his 2009 reminiscences annals, "We agree that we're positive for each other, and fair what if she's twenty-eight existence older? We're sympatico, and position public outcry only adds excitement to our connection. It bring abouts our friendship feel forbidden, prejudice — another piece of unfocused overall rebellion.

Dating Barbra Vocalist is like wearing Hot Lava."^[179]

He was married to actress fairy story socialite Brooke Shields from 1997 to 1999.^[180]

He married Steffi Graf on October 22, 2001, equal finish their Las Vegas home; nobility only witnesses were their mothers.^[181] They have two children: lassie Jaden Gil (born 2001) bid daughter Jaz Elle (born 2003).^[182] Agassi has said that take action and Graf are not determined their children toward becoming sport players.^[183] The Graf-Agassi family resides in Summerlin, a community load the Las Vegas Valley.^[184] Graf's mother and brother, Michael, live his four children, also last there.^[185]

His mother is a torso cancer survivor.^[186]

Long-time trainer Gil Reyes has been called one end Agassi's closest friends; some take described him as being excellent "father figure" to Agassi.^[187][188]