The ‘very special’ talent who Andre Agassi picked as the best tennis player he ever played against

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Andre Agassi has left a lasting impact on tennis thanks to his stunning career, during which he won eight Grand Slam titles.

Agassi sometimes played into the hands of his opponent, but left the sport with major titles across all four Grand Slams.

He started with the 1992 Wimbledon title, and finished with the 2003 Australian Open title, joining fellow ATP icons Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors on eight Grand Slam trophies. 

American legend Agassi also lost seven Grand Slam finals, having come up against many fellow stars during his playing career.

That includes the likes of Jim Courier, Goran Ivanisevic and Michael Stich, and of course long-time rival Pete Sampras.

Andre Agassi once named Roger Federer as the best he’s ever played against

But his toughest opponent would emerge in the 2005 US Open final, when Agassi lost out on the title to Roger Federer.

Asked if the joy of being out on the court outweighed the pain of losing to the Swiss star in his post-match press conference, the runner-up replied: “It does, yes. It does.

READ MORE: What Roger Federer did towards the end of his tennis career which ‘amazed’ Pete Sampras

“It’s disappointing to lose, but the first thing you have to assess is why did you lose and, you know, I just lot to a guy that’s better.

“I mean, there’s only so long you can deny it. But, you know, he’s the best I’ve ever played against. There’s nowhere to go.

“You know, there’s nothing to do except hit fairways, hit greens and make putts. I mean, every shot has that sort of urgency on it.

“And if you do what you’re supposed to do, you feel like it gives you a chance to win the point. That’s just too good.”

Andre Agassi praises ‘very special’ Roger Federer after 2005 US Open final

It would turn out to be Agassi’s last ever Grand Slam final, in which he suffered a 3–6, 6–2, 6–7(1–7), 1–6 defeat.

Federer would, of course, go on to achieve much more success in such matches following that New York meeting, ending his career with 20 Grand Slam titles.

READ MORE: The ‘incredible’ skill which Pete Sampras had which even Andre Agassi admitted that he really admired during their playing days

It was also the last ever meeting between the two stars, with Federer ending his head-to-head record with Agassi with eight wins and three losses.

Remarkably, the American’s wins came in their first three matches, with the Swiss ace then proving his class from that moment on.

Also asked if that was the best Agassi had ever played and lost, he replied: “I don’t know. I can’t assess my standard right now, it’s a little too soon.

“I had a set apiece, 4-2, 30-love serving, he had an inside-out backhand miss-hit that found the line. Then I hit a net cord to set up.

“That’s the thing, you know, it doesn’t take much with him. He can break a match open, or he can get back into it right away. But I would say that normally if I play that way against anybody, I would be favouring myself.”

And asked if Federer was the only player who puts that much pressure on where every shot is at a premium, the American responded: “Yes. I mean, you know, there’s other guys you play, I’ve played a lot of them, I mean, so many years, there’s a safety zone, there’s a place to get to, there’s something to focus on, there’s a way, you know.

“Anything you try to do, he potentially has an answer for and it’s just a function of when he starts pulling the triggers necessary to get you to change to that decision. But, yeah, he plays the game in a very special way. I don’t think… I haven’t seen it before.”