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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Andre Agassi attends day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Andre Agassi attends day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Andre Agassi, the American tennis veteran, is one of the greatest tennis players ever. However, the question that often engulfs a fan’s mind is what would be the alternative to tennis in their idol’s life? Well, in an interview, the eight-time Grand Slam champion revealed a few interests that carried similar value as tennis.
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Though there was a factor that helped tennis outweigh others. Luckily for Agassi, he made the right choice, as he will go down in history as one of the best American players to have played the sport.
What pushed Andre Agassi into tennis?
While in an interview for the Fifth Annual Tennis Ball in 2020, Agassi, along with addressing the core of the sport and the changes it requires, also answered the question of, if not tennis, then what? He said, “Well, see, that’s the question that can never truly be answered. Because I didn’t have the luxury of education.”
Thereafter, he explained, “My father always wanted me to be a tennis player. So when I think of the things that interest me, I don’t know if I would end up being a teacher or I would end up being a writer or I would end up selling used cars.”
Agassi was born in Las Vegas to Emmanuel, a former boxer from Iran and Elizabeth Agassi. Being an athlete himself, his father focused on turning Agassi’s talent into his career. Therefore, Emmanuel sent his 13-year-old to Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Florida.
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Speaking of his interest in education, the former world no.1 founded Agassi Prep in 2001. The institute focuses on providing children in Las Vegas with first-class K-12 education so that they can excel in college and beyond.
Agassi’s achivements
The tennis veteran was the greatest returner of serve during his playing days. He was amongst the few who could challenge the 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras. In fact, one of the reasons behind his huge fan following in Australia is his exemplary win in the final against Sampras. Agassi won his first ever Australian Open by outclassing Sampras, the defending champion.
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He touched his peak in the year 1999. The American claimed his first ever French Open and second US Open trophy in that year and then reigned in Australia for three out of the next four years. Further, by the end of his career, Agassi had secured 60 singles titles and an Olympic gold medal.
Written by
Edited by
Tony Thomas