Agassi’s Career Comes to Close With Loss

[ckramer]

Worn down and wincing, Andre Agassi could only stand and watch the final shot whiz by. A career for the ages came to a close Sunday when Agassi lost to the 112th-ranked player in the world, with Benjamin Becker serving an ace to finish off a 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5 third-round victory at the U.S. Open.

Playing with the spirit of a champion but a creaky body that needed three injections, the end came with Agassi looking like what he'd become -- a 36-year-old man with a bad back trying to play tennis.

Agassi teared up on the blue court as he addressed a crowd that showed up early at Arthur Ashe Stadium and tried to spur him all afternoon.

''The scoreboard shows that I lost today,'' he said. ''But what the scoreboard doesn't show is what I feel.''


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-TEN-US-Open.html?hp&ex=1157342400&en=2d851184b7dd2ce9&ei=5094&partner=homepage

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I salute this man - If you have watched him for sometime, he is a fighter, a man of steel.

If Democrats is half tenacious and have the courage that this man has, they will make a come back.

[xxqqqzme]

1. Watched it - I'm a tennis freak though.

I even went 2 tennis matches when I was in college. Love the game; wish I could still play.

[KeepItReal]

2. Gonna miss Andre.

The standing ovations Agassi were really touching.

[MuseRider]

3. Grace and courage.

I hate sports in general but love tennis and I will miss Andre.

He cried, I cried and I would bet there were many others who did as well.

Thanks for the article.

[Human Torch]

4. Saw the "Dad told him not to play" article...

...I don't know anything about the relationship between them, but it was kind of sad when he said "He didn't ask me for my advice, but if he did, I'd tell him not to play this game."

I also don't know Andre, but I do know what makes a champion. A champion doesn't say "I'm going to play this game because I know I can win. I'm going to play it because that's what I do."

My ex-boss at Pacific Bell loves to run marathons. A friend once asked him "How do you feel when you finish with the stragglers, or when half of the people have already gone home?" Without blinking he replied "I finished, and I beat all of the people who stayed home."

Today, Agassi played the game, beat everyone who stayed home, and will be remembered for playing like a champion..."win" or "lose."

:patriot:

[PSPS]

5. He's done OK.

In addition to his athletic achievements, he got to cuddle up with Brooke Shields for a couple of years.

His comment in the quote above reminds me of that inspired eulogy "Reverend Jim" gave after the death of his adopted racehorse on Taxi in the episode, "Jim Gets A Pet."

[DinahMoeHum]

6. Next stop for Agassi: Newport, RI and the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, he has his foundation and a career in philanthropy ahead of him.

Via con Dios, champ. You rock.

:yourock::yourock::yourock:

[MaineDem]

7. I watched it - and cried

I'm such a crybaby when it comes to things like this. Andre was crying, Stefi was crying, half of the 24,000 in Arthur Ashe were probably crying. It was a tremendous show of support and thanks for a fantastic career.

Now his kids can get a puppy. (They were told that when Daddy retires and they can stay home more, they can have a puppy.)

[Henny Penny]

8. End of an era moment!

I too salute you Andre!!!

[Lefty48197]

9. Newsflash: Jimmy Connors retired too.

Dittos Bjorn Borg.

[Caoimhe]

10. A class act

He is of my generation and I will miss watching him play. He was always fun to watch, whether winning or losing. He has "it".. the charisma. I envision him having a long career as a tennis announcer, with McEnroe. I think he would have very insightful commentary on the game.