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ROLAND GARROS – CHAMPIONS' PREVIEW
Andre Agassi: A champion is born … then made
By David Wheaton
Special to tennisreporters.net
Name that tennis player!
He once sported long locks and denim shorts with pink spandex. Now he shaves his head and wears monochromatic gear.
He used to swing from the hip with reckless abandon. Now he executes his game plan with the utmost efficiency.
He was known for tanking matches and snacking on junk food. Now he is respected for his Marine-like focus and fitness.
He was previously wed to Brooke Shields. Now he’s married to Steffi Graf.
You guessed it! At 33 years of age, Andre Agassi is not only the oldest player in the Top 100, but recently became the oldest player ever to reach No. 1. Truly substantive stuff from a man who once proclaimed, “Image is everything!” You’ve come a long way, baby.
Siggi Bucher |
As the gates of Roland Garros swing open tomorrow for the start of this year’s Roland Garros, fans will flock to witness the tennis player who has redefined reinvention—a man who’s gone through enough stages to make a Tour de France cyclist proud.
A fellow pro contemplating the peak and valley nature of Andre’s career once said to me, “Leopards don’t change their spots, right?”
Better call National Geographic; we are witnessing a new animal. Andre the Occasional is now Andre the Remarkable.
MAXIMIZING HIS ABIILIY
To be fair, Andre was having a Hall of Fame career when he arrived at the French Open in 1999 – he had won three Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal in 13 years on tour. But in sport – as in life – true success is about maximizing your abilities. Andre was falling far short by that definition.
He’s never been short on talent though. From our junior days at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy to dramatic matches on the Centre Court of Wimbledon, I have never faced a player who crushes the ball with more ferocity, who takes it so early in the court and returns serve with such vengeance. Playing against Andre is to endure a corner-to-corner pummeling.
I do not exaggerate: There has never been a better striker of a tennis ball in the history of the game. Period.
In winning his most treasured title at the French Open in '99, Andre achieved what only four other men have ever accomplished – he has won each of the four Grand Slam tournaments at least once. Since then, he has captured four more majors bringing his total to eight.
Contrast Andre’s record to the other top dog of America’s greatest generation of male tennis players, Pete Sampras. Pete has piled up a record 14 Grand Slam titles, but has never won the French. Whose career would you rather have? I’d take Andre’s, although Pete’s seven Wimbledon titles would be hard to refuse!
STILL GOING STRONG
Andre’s showing no signs of slowing down either. At a time when Pete is contemplating retirement (he hasn’t played since winning last year’s US Open and has withdrawn from the French and Wimbledon), Andre looks to be as good at 43 as he is at 33.
How is he doing it? One word: commitment. The man is now on a mission.
Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA, Inc. |
It all started when former crusty tour veteran, Brad Gilbert, took over as Andre’s coach for an eight-year period starting back in 1994. Think of it as Ying meeting Yang. Andre had loads of talent, but lacked mental stability. Gilbert had little talent, but plenty of mental tenacity.
Gilbert shamed Agassi for underachieving, and instilled a vision for what Andre could become and gave him a plan to get there. In short, he taught Andre to play with a purpose. Another key factor was Gil Reyes – Andre’s long-time fitness guru/bodyguard – whipping him into the best shape of his life. The result? A lean, mean tennis machine.
Oh, and don’t underestimate the power of a woman. Let me ask you: Who do you think would be better for Andre’s tennis career – Brooke or Steffi? Hmmm.
Wife Brooke: “Andre darling, could you spend the day with me on the set before we go to that red carpet movie premier tonight? And don’t forget, we’re going to Jacko’s ranch afterwards.”
Wife Steffi: “Honey, let’s practice two more hours this afternoon before going for a run. Then we’ll get to bed early so you’ll be well rested for your match tomorrow. Remember, you only need 14 more Grand Slam titles until we’re even.”
You get the point.
The man on a mission is readying himself, not only for a second title run in Paris, but his second Slam in a row (he won the Australian Open in January). It won’t be easy though. The slow red clay courts of Roland Garros sap some of the energy of Andre’s booming baseline game.
PREDICTIONS
There are several European and South American clay court specialists (aka “dirtballers”) that will be coming to life with their heavy topspin groundstrokes. Spaniards like last year’s finalist, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and past champion, Carlos Moya, will be difficult to take down. Three-time champ Gustavo Kuerten is always a factor as are a slew of young Argentinean gents like Guillermo Coria, Gaston Gaudio and David Nalbandian.
Perhaps America’s next great hope, Andy Roddick, will make a big impact this year. He has an excellent game for clay with his monstrous first serve, high-kicking second serve, and enormous forehand.
The champ? I picked him last year and I’ll pick him again – Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero to win his first major.
The big surprise on the ladies side is that an All-Williams final might not take place. The continuing meteoric success of Serena (often at the expense of her older sister) has left Venus with a receding ranking and a drop in confidence. Serena is gunning for her fifth Slam in a row. Wow!
Like I said, it’s not just a two-woman race this year. Belgian Kim Clijsters, who is having her best-ever year, stands a better chance of winning the title than her top-ranked boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt. France’s own Amelie Mauresmo and Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne, are both serious contenders. My pick is for Clijsters to win her first major and end Serena’s Slam streak.
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Two first-time Grand Slam champions in Paris this year? A dethroning of the Williams tennis dynasty? As we’ve seen with Andre, tennis – and life – is always changing. So keep your eye on the ball the next two weeks in Paris. This is one French product you won’t want to boycott!
David Wheaton, who reached a career high ranking of No. 12 and won three singles trophies while playing on the tour, is a motivational speaker and radio talk show host. He is scheduled to play Andre Agassi this summer in World Team Tennis. You can contact David through his web site at www.davidwheaton.com.
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