Andre Agassi retired from tennis after being knocked out of the US Open by Benjamin Becker, on today in 2006.
It introduced a profession which lasted 20 years and yielded eight grand-slam titles to an finish – however solely after an applause which lowered the American to tears on a number of events.
The 2-time winner at Flushing Meadows had introduced the event in New York can be his final following his Wimbledon exit in June with excessive again ache inflicting the previous world primary intense discomfort every time he was on the courtroom.
Agassi managed to make it via to the third spherical after gruelling victories over Andrei Pavel and Marcos Baghdatis earlier than big-serving Becker introduced his profession to an finish with a 7-5 6-7 (4) 6-4 7-5 win.
What adopted from the spectators inside Arthur Ashe Stadium was a prolonged standing ovation for the residence favorite earlier than he wiped away the tears to ship an emotional retirement speech.
“The scoreboard mentioned I misplaced in the present day, however what the scoreboard doesn’t say is what I discovered,” Agassi mentioned in his on-court interview to the group.
“Over the past 21 years I’ve discovered loyalty. You’ve pulled me via on the courtroom and likewise in life. I’ve discovered inspiration, you have got willed me to exceed and typically in my lowest moments.
“And I’ve discovered generosity. You’ve given me your shoulders to face on to achieve for my desires – desires I might have by no means reached with out you. Over the past 21 years I’ve discovered you and I’ll thanks and take the reminiscence of you with me for the remainder of my life.”
Agassi bowed out of the game 10 years after he claimed Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996, one other honour on his CV alongside together with his eight main titles.
The primary occurred at Wimbledon in 1992, two years after he had began to fulfil his potential with success on the end-of-season Masters Cup, earlier than a maiden US Open title adopted in 1994.
Agassi sealed the primary of 4 Australian Open triumphs in 1995 and clinched a profession Grand Slam when he accomplished a outstanding comeback to win at Roland Garros in 1999, having dropped to 141 within the rankings 18 months earlier attributable to components together with a failed medication check and a problematic ankle damage.
Following his retirement, Agassi has raised cash for kids in Southern Nevada via his basis, whereas residing within the state with spouse Steffi Graf, who gained 22 grand slams, and their youngsters Jaden and Jaz.
