Agassi is not done - 網球

BY JEFF WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER

September 12, 2005

A surprising run to the U.S. Open final at age 35 doesn't mean that Andre
Agassi will be retired and sipping pina coladas at age 36. He's got 20 years
into the game, and unless things change for him drastically he will be
putting in his 21st year in 2006.

Displaying as much energy and stamina as the 20-somethings in the field,
including 24-year-old champion Roger Federer, Agassi's fitness was never in
question, his game never in decline and his mind never back home in Las
Vegas. Pete Sampras went out on top when he won the 2002 U.S. Open, but
that's an unlikely scenario for Agassi. With the fan support he gets in New
York, and his three consecutive five-set victories to get to the final, there
is plenty of inspiration to keep him in the game.

"Over the last 20 years I've come full circle," Agassi said. "It's been an
amazing journey and discovery of each other as I've grown up out here. To be
here at an age where I can take in that sort of love and be at an age where I
can embrace it is a tremendous feeling. I'll never forget this. What I'm
leaving here with, that's the memory of thousands of people pulling for me
and showing appreciation for something that I care deeply about."

To get to this point this season was nothing short of a miracle. Agassi
hobbled out of the French Open nearly three months ago with a serious sciatic
nerve problem. His longtime friend and personal trainer Gil Reyes helped him
through a dark period, of making the decision to press on by taking cortisone
shots, carefully picking his summer events, and working hard in the gym.

"Gil is the reason I'm still out here doing this," Agassi said. "Especially
this summer when you have real medical issues to address and real-life
decisions that need to be made. He's helped me make the decisions that have
put me in a position to be out here letting my game be the most it can."

Now it's time to go back home and rest, soak up the memories of beating James
Blake in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal night match, of beating Robby
Ginepri in the semifinals, of pushing Federer harder than any player has in a
final this year. The time will come to retire, and a lot will go into it.

"If I felt it wasn't fun, that's not good," Agassi said. "It I felt like I
was compromising my family too much, that would be a factor. If I felt like
physically I just couldn't come out here with the hope of making the best
play the best, that would be a factor."

He made the best play his best yesterday, and Andre Agassi walked away with a
smile and a lot of hope.


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