
via Getty
Andre Agassi with Brooke Shields. (Photo by Art SEITZ/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

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Andre Agassi with Brooke Shields. (Photo by Art SEITZ/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Everyone is aware of the sudden on-court outbursts of the American tennis legend, Andre Agassi, during his playing days. The 8-time Grand Slam champion gave his best on the court, but his constant on-court disruptions affected his performances as well. His rival, Boris Becker, at the Wimbledon 1995 semi-finals, used that against him.
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He mocked him by making advances at Brooke Shields, and that did not go well with Agassi. A match that started off in Agassi’s favor ended in defeat, as he could not control his emotions.
Andre Agassi lost a match against Boris Becker because of the German’s actions toward Brooke Shields
American actress Brooke Shields was dating Andre Agassi in 1995. Consequently, she had come to watch the match and was seated alongside Agassi’s coach, Brad Gilbert. In the semi-finals of Wimbledon 1995, Agassi won the second set. The American player detailed the experience in his autobiography, ‘Open’. He stated, “I win the second set, 7-6. Now he starts to squirm, to look for an edge. He tries to play with my mind.” Boris Becker was in no mind to lose, so he used his temper against him and instigated him. Agassi stated, “He blows kisses at my box. At Brooke. It works. I’m so angry that I momentarily lose focus.”

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Andre Agassi watches Novak Djokovic as he practices on day two of the Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Despite being ahead, Agassi loses the set because Becker was now confident. He stated, “The crowd is now wild. They seem to have figured it out, that this is personal, that these two guys don’t like each other, that we’re settling old scores. They appreciate the drama.” Agassi did not like the energy of the crowd, which was working in favor of Becker. He stated, “Becker feeds on their energy. He blows more kisses at Brooke, smiling wolfishly.”
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Agassi could not hold his temper anymore and looked at his coach, Brad Gilbert. He states his reaction, “He gives me a steely glare, the vintage Brad look that says: Come on! Let’s go!” However, it was a game whose results had become obvious. Agassi had lost his cool when Becker had blown kisses to his then-girlfriend and eventual wife, Brooke Shields. The American player was renowned for not being able to control his emotions, and Becker used that in his favor.
The rivalry between Boris Becker and Agassi
Boris Becker was undoubtedly one of the best tennis players in the 90s, but against Agassi, he could not perform well. The German player amassed six Grand Slam titles during his career and Agassi, eight. The H2H series of the two players are in favor of the eight-time Grand Slam champion. They both faced each other 14 times, out of which 10 times Agassi has had the upper-hand.
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Currently, Becker is serving his prison sentence after he was found guilty of tax evasion in England. The British court sentenced him to a two-year suspended sentence.
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