Agassi Dishes Something Special - 網球

from:http://0rz.netdc1y6/ Written by Kate Battersby


Andre Agassi left no doubt of his determination to do well at his 14th and
last Wimbledon, after beating Andreas Seppi 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 to book an
intriguing third round match-up with French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

"This means the world to me," said the 1992 Wimbledon champion. "I missed
three years here early in my career, and when I came back I was overwhelmed
by the way the crowd received me. Now I've missed the last two years and come
back again, and the crowd hasn't changed. I want to get out there and do
something special for them. I want to play well. I want to be my best."

Both matches saw Agassi swamped by autograph hunters, and many of them have
been singing from a shared hymn sheet.

"The common one they say to me is, 'Don't retire'," smiled Agassi.
"I keep telling them, 'Talk to my family about that one. Talk to my body
too.'

"But this match today was a considerable improvement. I felt much better. I
was in a better rhythm. The game was a lot slower. It's always a good sign
when you're seeing things unfold and playing a tempo where you feel like
you're dictating. It's been too long since I just felt good and could at
least enjoy what was going on."

Now, of course, a riveting match awaits him in the third round, against the
Spanish matador Nadal who required five sets to beat the unheralded Robert
Kendrick. Plenty of observers believe that Agassi's vast grasscourt
experience will see him overcome Nadal, but the 36-year-old has huge respect
for his young opponent.

"He's very confident, a great competitor, very talented and fit," said
Agassi. "His speed around the court is so impressive. He can cover so much
ground. His movement is probably his greatest asset. But his concentration
and determination are big weapons too. When he gets hold of a point, he
doesn't let it go. Once he gets on top of a point, he really squeezes it
every time."

And what if it ends there? What if the Nadal match is the last time Agassi
plays at Wimbledon?

"I'm not thinking so much about this being the last time," he said.
"I'm focused on playing well. That's been my worry, just playing well. I still
want to win, and give people something to root for." Ah, Andre. You always
gave us that, every time.








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