Andre Agassi bade tennis goodbye last Sunday at the US Open. Everyone knew he was hurting, having had steroid injections for his back pains, but he played on. He could have retired after his match with Marcos Baghdatis but he kept on. He said "It was never about winning and stopping,
but it was about getting the most out of myself for as long as possible."
In the end; it took an unsung German, Benjamin Becker (ranked past 100), to knock him off. It was a sad day for tennis. He will be remembered for a very poignant farewell speech that moved the tennis world to tears. He said...
"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what I've found. Over the last 21 years, I've found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed sometimes even in my lowest moments."
"Over the last 21 years, I have found you and I will take you with me for the rest of my life.."
So long, Andre...
TipTop101 posted on Sep 09, 2006
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Comments
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dagbrew said on Sep 10, 2006....
Hey, anything physical burns out anyway. But as a real sportsman, our guy here is trying to leave something that won't fade away.
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TipTop101 said on Sep 13, 2006....
ok... point well taken. dude... :)
i'm not a tennis nut, i'd rather play badminton... >baddict!
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TipTop101 said on Sep 14, 2006....
If you have heard his farewell speech at the US Open, I'm sure you would agree with me that he is an eloquent speaker.
His speeches alway moved people because the words that he speak always come from his heart. Two years ago, he was asked to introduce his wife Steffi Graf during her induction to the 2004 International Hall of Fame. It was also a very beautiful speech. It showed his romantic side... Maybe next time i could share it here.... :)
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TipTop101 said on Sep 17, 2006....
In July 2004, Andre introduced his wife, Steffi Graf, during her induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He said...
" I truly consider it a rare honor to stand here today before so many of you that have done so much for our sport and have eant so much to me and Stefanie. Looking out across this audience filled with warm friends and champions, I am overwhelmed with the history and the tradition of this moment.
"As I attempt to find words worthy to introduce the peron that has changed my life, I realize that the words have yet to be invented that are large enough, colorful enough or true enough to express the heart and sould of this woman that I love.
"Stefanie, I wonder what can I possibly say to do justice to the way you've lived your life and to the lives you have changed.
"I began several years ago on the small chalkboard sitting in our kitchen, a tradition that I've carried on every night. At the end of each day I have picked up the chalk and tried to express the many things you mean to me. Sometimes, just a grief line, sometimes a short story, but always just the oveflow from a grateful heart, and yet after these months and years of writing to you each night, I have never been at a shortage of ways to reflect the light you've brought into my life. And now ironic that in these few short moments I need to capture in words these things I so deeply appreciate in you. Maybe I can say it to you this simple way.
"Not long ago we were on the road and I looked out our hotel room window from the upper floor of a very tall high rise. I could see the rooftop of an old and beautiful cathedral. It was stunning with its carved stone and marble-- all done so perfectly. I could not believe the work of art I was seeing and wondered how many years did they take to creae and drove them to be this committed? Then I began to appreciate something greater. I realized that when this rooftop was built It was by far the trallest bleeding. In an age long before airplanes or skyscrapers these artists believed each day as they went about their work that no human being or one set of eyes would ever see their creation. How could they not have cut one corner? How could they consider no task routine? I can only think it came from a place deep inside-- the need to be true to themeselves was their reason and reward.
"All of this has helped me to understand you better, never needing applause to be your best, only needing to give the best your sould could give to feel complete.
"From the roar of voices inside the lines of center court to the quietness of a child's bedroom, that generous soul, that unbending strength , that soft spoken intergrity has not been shaken. The arena of tennis simply gave you a platform and an opportunity to refine those inner qualities even more.
"You have always been about the action not about the words..You have never defined yourself by what you have achieved, rther you have achieved by how you define yourself. And even now, it has taken my breath away to see how you've laid down your racket to pursue love and motherhood with the same zeal and standards you have always demanded of yourself.
"No, no one has ever known you to be infatuated by your own accomplishments. In fact, as I have often said, anyone who speaks with you will most likely forget the great things you have done within the first 30 seconds, but they will feel cared for, their feelings engaged and you never let go of their heart until they know that they are completely understood.
"The history books will record for posterity your ability to embrace and rise above adversity, to play through injury and to win again and again and again.
"Far in the future people will analyze and discuss your place as the greatest of your time. And as those future generations hear of your strength and dominance, they may be tempted to think that they know you, or the real heart of a giant that beats inside of you. But for those blessed enough to actually see first hand of your quiet humility, to watch you represent your sport with unmistakable dignity, and for those of us who are even more blessed to lifted out of ourselves by your laughter, to be on the receiving end of your always generous heart, we will have etched forever in us something a statistic could never contain.
"We have been touched deeply by your life. You have made us better and we will never be the same. Stefanie, you have spent many years of your life competing, but right here we stand in the ears of your children and right now in my heart, you have no rival.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you the greatest person I have ever known."
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anonymous said on Sep 19, 2006....
I'm a great fan of Steffi Graf.... it's amazing that two of the world's best tennis players ended up with each other... happily at that...
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anonymous said on Sep 26, 2006....
so what's new with Mr. Image -- Andre Agassi?