Andre Agassi is one of tennis’ most iconic figures, and enjoyed a lengthy career laden with brilliant stories both on and off the court.
However, focusing on the former category, it should come as no surprise that one of his favourite memories came in Melbourne, a place where he won four Australian Open titles.
This was his most successful Grand Slam hunting ground, having won just one at each of the other three tournaments.
And, despite lifting the trophy in 1995, 2000 and 2003, it was his 2001 triumph, and the semi-final victory in particular, which left him stunned by the support both he and Pat Rafter received.
Andre Agassi recalls one of his favourite ever atmospheres in Australia
Facing an Australian in his own backyard was always going to be a tough ask, but the American was never one to run from a challenge.
Fortunately, his play style and never-say-die attitude almost always endeared him to fans. The Australians, in particular, have always seemed to get behind a hard-working and relentless player.
And yet, Andre Agassi was still shocked by the way he was received by the Melbourne crowd on Rod Laver Arena, as he rallied from two-sets-to-one down to defeat Rafter.
The 55-year-old recalled, speaking about that match just last year: “I’ll never forget playing Rafter in the semi-finals, night match. It was like the biggest sporting event down here, maybe historically. Him having me two sets to one. And I just remember having to go into the locker room at the end of the third because we were just dripping.
“The roof got closed. It was so hot and humid and we both were losing so much fluid. And my stuff is like, soaked. I had to change everything. Shoes, socks and my head was ringing because you don’t realise how loud something is until you actually have quiet and when I got in the locker room it was like you’re sitting in the worst place in a concert where your ears are just ringing.
“And I went back out there and, you know, obviously everybody wanted Rafter to win. But as we got deep into like the warrior zone, it was incredible how fair they were to just two honest gladiators. They cheered us as we deserved for what we were doing, regardless of who was winning the point. That really endeared me for a long period of time. I felt Aussie too.”
Andre Agassi remains a key tennis figure
Despite having spoken about his hatred for tennis during times in his playing days, the American remains very much involved within the sport.
After all, Agassi was spotted coaching Holger Rune earlier this year, just months before he began his stint as the new Laver Cup captain for Team World.
Not only that, but he has even been known to drop into various broadcasting roles of late, working for TNT Sports at Roland Garros and the BBC for Wimbledon.
Agassi is a much-loved figure within the tennis community, and refreshingly seems to have reconciled with the sport that gave him so much, but also took such a huge toll on him all those years ago.
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