Andre Agassi’s father thought his son’s tennis career would last longer.
“I thought he’d last past 40,” Agassi’s father, Mike, told The Post while watching his son warm up on a side court early last night before his match with Andrei Pavel in the first round of the U.S. Open – potentially the final match of his career. “But it’s his back.
“He looks good,” Mike Agassi added. “I taught him when he was three years old, hitting 200 backhands.”
As the end to Agassi’s career drew closer, the testimonials from the current young cast of tennis stars were plentiful.
“I think what makes him so different is his crossover appeal,” Andy Roddick said before Agassi’s match, that did not begin until 8:30 p.m. “He was able to take tennis to a totally different demographic, create interest in tennis at all times. And then what he’s done off the court, I think that will be a bigger legacy, I don’t think we’ve seen his greatest accomplishment yet and that’s big statement considering what he’s accomplished already.”
Agassi’s final season has been filled with back soreness and limited play, but he has been the toast of Flushing Meadows. The school he built in an impoverished neighborhood of his hometown, Las Vegas, has completely changed his “rebel” image of the 1980’s and 1990’s.
When the 36-year-old took the Arthur Ashe Stadium court last night, it broke a 26-day layoff. After being eliminated in the first round in Washington, he skipped the Toronto and Cincinnati events to rest his back.
While no one expected Agassi to advance far here because of a difficult draw and a lack of match preparation, the anticipation for his Pavel match was tremendous.
“It’s obvious he deserves [the attention],” two-time defending Open champion Roger Federer said. “Twenty one years playing the Open and he had a great run last year on top of that.”
In a gallant and shocking run that fortnight last year, Agassi reached the finals and forced Federer to four riveting sets. Agassi has won two Opens – in 1994 and 1999 – and lost four times in the finals.
Roddick, in a career tailspin despite winning his opening-round match yesterday in a landslide, saluted Agassi for reviving himself and reaching No. 1 after falling out of the top 100 in 1997.
“He dropped to 141 and I remember seeing pictures of changing his own scorecard in a challenger, where a lot of people might have said, ‘OK, well I’m OK,’ ” Roddick said. “I can just kind of move along and live a very comfortable existence and be fine. I think it takes a special existence to get back.”
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams both commended Agassi’s legacy.
“He has meant so much to tennis,” Williams said. “He’s had that charisma, great attitude, personality. He’s just had an amazing spirit. He doesn’t go too crazy on the court, and lose his mind. He’s got a great style.”
Sharapova didn’t watch tennis growing up in Russia, but always has known Agassi’s name.
“Every time you walk by him you realize and think of the things he’s achieved and done in his career,” Sharapova said. “Even though he’ll miss it he has a family to go to every single day. I’m sure he’s very happy off the court.”
Additional reporting by Braden Keil
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Today’s featured matches
Women’s singles
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM
Day Session (begins at 11 a.m.)
Amelie Mauresmo (1), France, vs. Kristina Barrois, Germany
Night session (begins at 7 p.m.)
Maria Sharapova (2), Russia, vs. Michaella Krajicek, Netherlands
Lourdes Dominguez Lino, Spain, vs. Serena Williams, United States
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (play begins at 11 a.m.)
Peng Shuai, China, vs. Martina Hingis (8), Russia
Men’s singles
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM
Day Session (begins at 11 a.m.)
Mark Philippoussis, Australia, vs. Rafael Nadal (2), Spain
Night Session (begins at 7 p.m.)
Juan Monaco, Argentina, vs. James Blake (6), United States
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (play begins at 11 a.m.)
Lleyton Hewitt (15), Australia, vs. Albert Montanes, Spain
GRANDSTAND (play begins at 11 a.m.)
David Nalbandian (4), Argentina, vs. Michael Berrer, Germany
TV: USA, 11 a.m.; 7 p.m.
