The 2006 U.S. Open ended today and with it the career of Andre Agassi. He had announced that he would retire after this year's Open. It was his 21st year at the U.S. Open and he fought valiantly to make it to the third round before losing last Sunday. It's taken me a week, but I did want to write a personal note regarding his retirement.
I had the opportunity to serve Agassi at the GTE (now RCA) Tennis Tournament in Indianapolis in 1990 & 1991. I volunteered as a ball girl with two of my sisters and performed well enough that I earned some of the coveted positions serving at some of the top matches. It was quite a thrill to be on court, serving balls to some of the greats: Jimmy Connors, David Wheaton, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and yes, even Andre Agassi. As excited as any of us were to serve Andre Agassi, many of us were not huge Agassi fans after serving him. Frankly, he was a young punk, a real jerk! He was a fine example of talent, strength, power and fame being wasted on youth. One personal example of Agassi's lack of consideration toward those who served him came when one of his extremely powerful serves found its way to my stomach. Agassi did not express care or concern for my well being. Nice! In stark contrast, another fabulous (although not nearly as famous) tennis player stood out as a man who appreciated and respected those who served him. When David Wheaton served a ball into my sister (being a ball kid is dangerous!), he was actually concerned for her well-being! Kind, courteous, respectful, Wheaton remains my all-time favorite!
Still, despite Agassi's rudeness, I hung his poster ("Rebel With A Cause") on my bedroom wall, bragged to friends and strangers that I'd met him face to face, dragged around one of his towels for years (I still use it as a rag), and 12 years later found myself rooting him on, willing him to win just once more! It seems to me that he has matured quite a bit over the years (I know I have). He's married now (to female tennis great, Steffi Graf) and has two children. I imagine that being a Dad has taught him some manners and consideration of others and that if the aforementioned incident were repeated, he would probably react differently. I wonder about his spiritual condition and pray that he would come to faith in Jesus. Even tennis icons need the Lord!
He always was an amazing tennis player, but it's more important to see him become a great man! I pray that retirement would suit him and that he would cherish the time with his family! I myself cherish the memories, it was a fun time and being treated so disrespectfully was very helpful in developing a servant's heart in me. LOL
God bless you Andre! Thanks for the memories! |
