‘My Son Took a Million Dollars..’- When Andre Agassi’s Father Denounced Former Coach for Stopping Him From Claiming ‘Further Greatness’

Andre Agassi is one of the most celebrated veterans of tennis. He is famous for bringing rage into the sport and the free expression of emotions on the court. Agassi added a new layer to the gentlemen’s game. However, apart from that, the eight-time Grand Slam champion is famous for his excellent playing style as well.

He, Pete Sampras, and John McEnroe were the ones who ruled the courts back in the day. They each had their strengths and are the pioneers of some of the records that serve as a benchmark today. Even so, Agassi’s father believed that he could have done better.

Mike about how Agassi’s game got ruined

Agassi was born in Las Vegas, to Mike Agassi, a former Olympic boxer from Iran, and Elizabeth Agassi. His father, being an athlete himself, saw the talent in him and wanted to give the best he could afford.

Therefore, Mike used up all his savings to send Agassi to Nick Bollettieri’s tennis academy. However, he believes that the decision had an inverse effect. “A father loves his son, a coach does it for money. This is the difference.” He said in a 2015 interview.

Thereafter, he added, “But in the eyes of his son, the coach knows more than his parent. Bollettieri ruined Andre, took away from him further greatness, convincing him to change his racket from the Prince to Donnay.”

“My son took a million dollars, and Nick took a bribe. But who was I to convince him it was a mistake?” Agassi joined the Bollettieri’s academy as a teenager after winning a doubles championship in Chicago with fees just enough for three years of guidance.

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Though the coach saw the talent, he harbored and took him in for free. Following that, the four times Australian Open champion dropped from school to pursue tennis as a career.

Achivements of Andre Agassi

The hot head of tennis turned pro in the year 1986 and climbed up to the ranking of World no.1 after claiming victory in all majors event except French Open. He marked his name on the clay-based Grand Slam in 1999. Following that, he clinched his second title in the hard courts of America and revived his reign in Australia.

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The veteran piled three Australian Open trophies in the early 2000s before taking retirement in 2006. Further speaking of other categories, he claimed over 40 doubles titles and made up to the quarterfinals of the French Open. Also, he helped America win three Fed cups and brought a gold medal from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.