Just last night, after spending a couple of hours following reviews of the day's action and previews of Saturday's action from the World Cup, I noticed the headline 'Federer to open against Gasquet'. Totally surprised that that could even be possible, paid a long delayed visit to www.wimbledon.org. Out there, the articles had started, the previews were in and the draw was out. Using Mozilla's text search, quickly scanned through the four quarters of the draw to find out where Agassi was. 25th seed! And slated to play Nadal in the third round. That's if his back holds.
Anyway, read through 'Agassi's Last Wimbledon Hurrah?' and reflected. This hasn't been the first year that I am seeing an article question his presence next year. In the past few years, have read quite of few of those that very confidently predicted the retirement of the man. All this, when Agassi himself has been very clear that he fully intends to be playing the next year. However, last night, I could not get myself to sneer at the article. Instead, I cursed the freak injury he suffered last year playing squash, which completely dampened the momentum from the US Open and set him back this year. So, I guess that somewhere deep down, I had realised that the rest of this year would indeed be his last hurrah. But after it surfaced last night, there was just nowhere to hide. I wondered, 'Does tennis matter anymore?'. Immediate thoughts went to my total disregard for Roland Garros until the finals. I remembered that I didn't even care to read the interviews of the players after the finals. I remembered going to sleep immediately after the last point, not even interested in the prize distribution. Not that I expected Agassi to reach the finals this year, but he wasn't even there. So, did it even matter? Only if Federer won it, I guess. And that too, due to the monumental significance of that moment, if it had happened, rather than any personal interest in the player.
With those thoughts being the last recollections from last night, I woke this morning to the sound of the shrill alarm. 10 mins before Germany took on Sweden! Hastily, dragged me, the laptop and a pillow to the couch for a morning of entertainment. Opening up BBC Sport for a quick scan, I could not believe that Agassi's distinct eyes were looking right at me from the top of the page. The headline read 'Agassi announces retirement date'!!! You would assume that having thought about the same last night, I would be better prepared to deal with it. Maybe I was. Which is probably why the laptop is intact.
Anyway, not being the very emotional sort, I proceeded to read through the contents and the tributes that were already flowing. And then, life continued....Germany scored twice early, won easily from there on, got caught up chatting with a friend and then Argentina came on and stroked the senses. Not quite vintage, but the mesmerizing ability of this entire squad on and off the ball is something to behold. Theoretically, the high from the injury time wonder strike should have lasted the entire day. Surprisingly, it didn't last much longer past the final whistle.
Unsurprising, considering that AGASSI IS GOING TO RETIRE!!!
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16 comments:
yeah, 'tis sad aint it? :(
me, I'm rooting for a stellar final b/w Roger and Andre (viva le the USO final in 05). there's a good chance Agassi will get there considering those in his way are Nadal who's hopeless w/o the dirt under his feet & Roddick/Hewitt who seem more over the hill than Agassi is; Ljubicic might pose a bit of a threat but I wouldnt put it past Andre to smother his best weapon.
Any other year, I would have been confident as hell that AA can put it past anyone, save Roger. Not this year though! Like I mentioned, the freak injury suffered playing squash has hastened the ageing process. I would have shouted out for him to retire, except that, when I consider 'what after?'....I'd rather see him playing....or maybe not....I just DON'T KNOW!!! So, just savouring the moments.
IFFFF his back holds, I expect him to plough ahead. He needs time on court and Nadal might be the perfect 'loser' to serve the purpose :) But times are such that, even a Seppi worries me.
Anyway, I would assume that both Roddick and Hewitt would have quite a strong latter half of the year beginning here. They were down and out during the AUS, have done better since then, but have faced issues...Roddick with his injury at the French and Hewitt facing Nadal early...not that either of them were going to win it, but they are on the up. Too early to dismiss their danger, IMO
lol, being cautiously hopeful, are we? ;)
but yeah, i'd be wary of hewitt if i were Agassi. he won the warm-up tournament and seems almost as sharp as the lleyton that won here a few years ago. if he goes on like this, the only one that can stop him is Federer.
Andy has been lackluster at best, and he didnt rise above that in his 1st round match. Roger and LLeyton have been blowing their opponents away, and it looks increasingly like a straight sets final b/w the two. I'd rather have an in-form Safin, an aggressive Agassi or an ace-blasting Roddick opposite Federer; luckily all of them are in the opposite draw, so there's reason to hope :)
Definitely! Haven't a choice this year....
Roddick bothers me a lot more than Hewitt does. Not that the latter is a pushover. But ever since Agassi beat him in an enthralling semifinal at the US Open 2002, I have felt optimistic. Remember, that was when Hewitt was at the top of his game. And I recollect a preview discussing how Hewitt could do everything an ageing Andre could, but just better! Glorious Saturday it turned out to be!!! Hewitt stood across Agassi at Cincinnati in 2004. Again, AA came through! So, if it is Semi time, and it is AA vs Hewitt, I am going to be comfortable in my couch. Seppi though, leaves me right at the edge :)
You are a big fan of Agassi, wonderful to c the important dates in Agassi's career. I guess you missed the most important one, the day he got engaged to Graf. I guess Agassi is the last of the players who used to show passion (in other words anger, frustration) on the pitch. I am not sure as myself as I am not a a big fan of tennis, just keep track of it once in a while.
Btw what are his chances of winning the Wimbledon or US open?
Uh…two baseliners on grass? Not really my cuppa tea at the big W. but I see what you mean – for an AA fan, I guess Hewitt is the less risky choice cos Roddick on his best day can power his way through. (Now, there is an example of a guy that uses his aces to win cheap points & does little else).
Hmmm, I remember that match b/w Agassi and Hewitt at the USO’02, but understandably for me, the one that followed it overshadowed all else… I was on the grounds at Flushing, savoring every minute.. somewhat similar to your feelings right now :)
I’d have said Hewitt has the edge on grass, but I stop short cos he’s at a stalemate with a Lee at this moment!
Anyways, whatever happens, Nadal’s meeting Agassi though he had a tough time getting there…Saturday will be good :)
Hey 'Soccer Man'
I don't think that I missed the date. It follows later on. I started with Agassi's Bday.
Anyway, not sure why you say that he is the last to show passion. Tennis has quite a few passionate characters. Of the top of my head, I can think of Roddick, Hewitt, Nadal, Safin....and list is quite long.
I would love to say that he is on a hot streak and is due to reach the finals. But then, I saw him in action this morning and noticed the deterioration in both movement and strokeplay. He hasnt had any time on the court this year and it shows. So, forget Wimbledon....moving on, if he can make a good run at either Cincinnati or Toronto, then he would be a factor at the US Open. Me waiting...
So, do you have a tennis favourite?
Ohhh so, you watched the '02 finals at Arthur Ashe?? Thats pretty awesome.
I was out there in NY last year during the Open, and after some careful planning, bought a couple of tickets to the first Saturday night session. They ended up scheduling Ginepri!!! I just threw away the ticket.
This year...am thinking of making it out there for a weekend. But there are other commitments that might prevent me from doing so. Still, this would be a once in a lifetime chance....needs further thinking and planning!
For the moment though....this Saturday can't come soon enough.
naah, i wasnt at Arthur Ashe. what'd i still be doin on earth had i gotten to watch the ultimate match of Sampras' career? ;) Frankly, I didnt think Pete would get that far, so I hadnt purchased the ticket and obviously I wasnt getting that one last minute. So I went to the grounds (was in NJ at the time, so a hop skip jump) wondering if i would indeed get lucky -- ended up getting the ground pass and watching it on the big screen outside -- not totally unsatisfactory :)
i have been at flushing for all the USOs since i came to this country. yeah, the early rounds need careful scheduling. in two tries, i managed to see Roger play a third round once – the other one was a walkover and I almost killed andy pavel for that :D with Federer, the safest bet is to get a ticket for the finals -- and this year, nothing's going to stop me from doin that :)
Nalbandian's out. So much for my odds, huh? :( Tho' Hewitt's through, I'm rethinking his chances of getting to the finals.
yeah, this weekend should be good. not to mention the world cup. tho the match to watch is right now and I gotta pretend to work :(
Like I said, last time around, since I looked around last minute, only the cheapest seats were available. And considering the size of Arthur Ashe stadium, I assume that I would have been seeing specks down at the court. What has your experience been? Have you managed to get some good seats?
i didnt get the best seats (i think it was third from last) but it wasnt terrible. and then, there's always binoculars :)
it is not so much the money as the time you book (tickets to USO are pretty cheap anyway). like you said those were the best i got cos i booked 'em late -- the schedule (for pre-QF rounds) can only be worked out (after meticulous analysis no less) two days before the match and hence i had to wait till then to make sure Roger would be playing. I just checked the site & the final tickets already look like they're sold out :( they do release some tix as and when they become available, so i am hoping to get lucky.
like i said, the easiest thing to do is book tickets for the later rounds as soon as they go on sale (early june). if you can only make it for the early rounds (since labor day is ideal for those not in the N.East) i'd suggest booking tickets much in advance for two days in a row (since they only cost about 35 bucks apiece) so you can be sure the player to watch is playing -- cos those tickets come as sessions and you can see the entire morning/evening session - includes men's and women's singles - on each day; unless something unforeseen happens the top players are always scheduled for the evening.
I used binoculars at Indian Wells. It came in very handy to get a close glimpse at Sharapova and Dementieva, it was left unused during Nadal vs Blake :D
The scheduling at the USO, as expected, is chaotic! Wimbledon deserves its kudos in that regard. Everything is just as it should be when it comes to scheduling. I read that some of the other practices out there can be a pain though...
The first weekend of the US Open indeed, looks very appealing. And like you said, I might have to book tickets for 2 consecutive days. Trouble is, as I realised last year....they don't necessarily play the 'stars' at night. They rotate the stars actually. So, I might have to buy both sessions for 2 days to be SURE! And I might have done all this...but I've got people coming over from India and landing here on Sept 1st :D So, I might have to pass. I say 'might' coz I dont feel like typing 'I WILL pass' :) Maybe, I'll catch AA at Cincinnati...
you're right -- i forgot -- they do rotate the stars, and hence the "luck" factor! but then there's a way -- i remember booking the tickets for the 3rd round evening session bcos Roger played his 2nd round in the morning -- so there is a way to tell, but then its not always hard and fast esp in the early rounds where some of the lower-ranked players have doubles matches scheduled.
wimbledon is meticulous but they have no control over the heaven factor :D and the brits drive me nuts with their utter lack of tech-savvy. neither their nor the BBC's live streaming works on macs. i dunno which century they're living in.
hehe....I wouldn't know about the issue with the MACs, but I wish they would make ShotSpot (or whatever that is called) official.
Its good that they decided to install a roof over center court, but if I didn't hear wrong this morning, I think they mentioned that it would be ready for the 2009 Championships!!! WHAT??!!!
yeah, apparently one year to demolish the current roof, then a new fixed roof in '08, and the retractable thing in '09. painstakingly meticulous, the brits...anyways, one thing aint gonna change -- Fed will be crowned champ :)
yeah, they'll have the instant replay thingie for the hard court season, including the US Open; that should be fun. Tho’ the players don’t like it and I can see why; its jus unnecessary pressure on them.
It's been a loooong break...anyway...
I thought that the players should be happy with the ShotSpot feature. Afterall, they have been ranting about calls for ages. It is pressure on them, but I think that the benefits are worth it...just my 2 cents!
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