Andre Agassi sees his current role in tennis as a “fly on the wall.” On the tennis court, the sporting icon pretty much achieved it all as a world No. 1, eight-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist.
Nowadays, Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf, fellow tennis royalty, take in tennis mostly from afar. But this week Agassi returned to Flushing Meadows, where he was hailed as men’s singles champion in 1994 and 1999.
On Wednesday, Agassi joined the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on court for the Stars of the Open presented by Chase exhibition. Seeing Agassi wield his racquet on Arthur Ashe Stadium once again was a delight for all involved. In fact, it was the first time the Hall of Famer had been on this very court since a ceremony in 2007.
Sitting down to reminisce, Agassi’s gaze headed upward toward the very top of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"It's interesting to me, it's always a tactical thing when I show up to this stadium. I remember so well what you're thinking, what you're feeling, even the sense of the weather, the breeze,” said the six-time US Open finalist.
“When I walked out here just now I was like 'Wow, this roof, even open, kind of kills the breeze which used to come up from a strategic perspective.
"It's good to be back. I can't tell if the roof makes this place look bigger or smaller, but it gives it some presence for sure.”
From his debut in 1986 right up until his retirement at the 2006 US Open, Agassi compiled 21 consecutive appearances at his home major, tying Martina Navratilova for the longest streak in the Open Era.
But what stands out most for Agassi? The magical combination of tennis under the lights in New York City.
"There were so many years here where I was the opening night match,” Agassi mused.
"I liked it. As a player, it got your full attention, you shut out the city—you can get lost in that—you go into your meditative state pretty much all day, saving up all the emotional, physical and mental energy you're going to need.
"There's also this thing about the New York crowd's attention at night. In the day, there are a lot of distractions, a lot of noises, but at night there is almost a buzz. It's like a hornet's nest. There's an excitement, but a real focus from the audience.
"It always manifested itself in some pretty tense moments. Whether they're rooting for or against you, that can switch. The players know it because there's nothing louder than 23,000 silent New Yorkers, because all of a sudden [clicks fingers] they pay attention on a dime and you think, 'OK, this is a moment here.' The New York fan has never changed—they'll always want a show.”
There are plenty of chapters in the enthralling Agassi career, plenty of looks and styles—and just like those, Agassi’s relationship with the NYC crowd evolved too.
"Completely. One of my earliest memories was somebody yelling out to Connors, 'Jimmy, you're a legend, he's a punk,’ … All the way to retirement, the tears and everything in between,” said the eight-time major winner. "It was no better fitting end to my career than saying bye right here.
"I've always said, New York not only watched me grow up—they helped me grow up, they held me accountable. They respected the fight when I had it and they didn't accept me accepting less of myself when I didn't."
Agassi has many vivid memories of his legendary career—even from his Queens debut nearly 40 years ago.
"1986, I don't know what court I was on. I was so overwhelmed, especially in the big city, on these grounds. I played Jeremy Bates on a back court. I lost in four sets, I was 16,” Agassi said. "I remember smelling burgers being cooked the whole match.”
In total, Agassi competed in 98 US Open singles matches with an astonishing 79-19 record. Intriguingly, one that stands out most was a defeat.
"Night match, quarterfinals against Pete [Sampras],” said Agassi, reflecting on a 2001 epic with his perennial rival.
"There aren't too many matches I'd say I'm proud of when I lost, but I've got to say I was just happy to be part of that one.
“We played four breakers and never broke each other's serve. We brought the best out of each other that night. Unfortunately, I brought out better in him than he did for me. He went to another level.
"Going into that fourth set breaker, the crowd stopped the match, they just stood applauding—almost thanking us, even though it wasn't over. It gave you chills and all of a sudden they went silent ready for the action.
"It's a moment I'll never forget because when you're in that sort of intensity, you're so locked in, then when you get pulled out it's like an out-of-body experience. ‘Is this really me? Am I actually part of me?’ It was pretty destabilizing, but a moment I'll never forget.”
That sharp memory can also reel off his maiden US Open triumph from 1994.
"I was unseeded and I had to go through five seeds to win it. I had already won one [Grand Slam, Wimbledon 1992], so I knew what it took, to go out there to win rather than not to lose. That was a big deal. I played with full conviction against Michael Stich,” added Agassi.
"What don't you remember? 6-1, 7-6, 7-5. I broke at 5-5 in the third, served it out at 40-15, hit a two-handed, short hop volley, with the wind on my back, down the line for a cold winner… I remember a lot about it.”
Agassi is adored by tennis and sports fans worldwide. It was a journey encapsulated in a true page-turner of an autobiography Open.
"What I'm most proud about is the entire journey. Going from No. 1 in the world to No. 140 in the world, feeling so disconnected with the sport, back to No. 1 a second time,” Agassi reflected on site in New York. “It gave me a new life to take tennis in, during a time when I could really appreciate it. I’m proud I could feel that again.”
