Agassi Retires

Andre Agassi played his last professional match today. Although I didn't watch today, I saw his 2nd round match versus Baghdatis, and wow, was it exciting. I saw clips of today's match against Benjamin Becker (apparently no relation to Boris), and it looks like I missed a very emotional match.

I remember when I was on the high school tennis team. One of my childhood friends and teammates went on a date with Andre while he was playing a local tournament. She told us that he was pretty cocky and self-absorbed, which I had believed ever since.

I wasn't a big fan of his. I was more into Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Monica Seles, Lindsey Davenport. It wasn't until recently, during Agassi's marriage to Steffi Graf, the birth of their children, and the obvious absence of other players his (our) age on the professional circuit, that I have grown to be a fan of his. He is, after all, one of the veterans of the game now.



So he is retiring. He is MY AGE. How depressing is that? Okay, he is a professional athlete, and has put his body through a lot more punishment than I ever have, and his career is dependent on top athletic performance. The differences are noted. Nonetheless, he gets to retire. I haven't even started my career. And he is retiring. Did I mention that he is retiring?

While I am sad to see him leave the game, I am happy for him and hope that he is able to look back with satisfaction on his successful career and enjoy his retirement. I think each of us wants to leave our careers having made some sort of mark. With his 60 career singles titles, 8 Grand Slams, and Olympic Gold medal, I think he has.