Andre Agassi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Andre Agassi

Agassi at the 2011 Champions Shootout
Full name	Andre Kirk Agassi
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Born	(1970-04-29) April 29, 1970 (age 55) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Turned pro	1986
Retired	2006
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Emmanuel Agassi (1970–1983) Nick Bollettieri (1983–1993) Pancho Segura (1993) Brad Gilbert (1994–2002) Darren Cahill (2002–2006)
Prize money	,152,975  14th all-time in earnings
Int. Tennis HoF	2011 (member page)
Singles
Career record	870–274 (76.05%) (76.0%)
Career titles	60
Highest ranking	No. 1 (April 10, 1995)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	W (1995, 2000, 2001, 2003)
French Open	W (1999)
Wimbledon	W (1992)
US Open	W (1994, 1999)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	W (1990)
Grand Slam Cup	F (1998)
Olympic Games	W (1996)
Doubles
Career record	40–42 (48.8%)
Career titles	1
Highest ranking	No. 123 (August 17, 1992)
Grand Slam doubles results
French Open	QF (1992)
US Open	1R (1987)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	W (1990, 1992, 1995)
Coaching career (2017–2020)
Novak Djokovic (2017–2018) Grigor Dimitrov (2018–2020)
Signature
Medal record Representing  United States Olympic Games – Tennis Gold 1996 Atlanta Singles

Andre Kirk Agassi (born April 29, 1970) is a famous American tennis player who used to be ranked number one in the world. He won eight major championships, called Grand Slams, and an Olympic gold medal. Agassi is one of only five men in the modern era of tennis to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in his career. He was also the first man to win all four Grand Slams, plus an Olympic gold medal, and a year-end championship. He achieved this amazing feat in 1999.

Agassi was the first man to win all four major singles titles on three different types of courts: hard, clay, and grass. He was also part of the winning Davis Cup teams for the United States in 1990, 1992, and 1995. He first became the world's top-ranked player in 1995. After facing some challenges in the late 1990s, his ranking dropped. However, he made an incredible comeback in 1999 and had a very successful period over the next four years. Agassi retired from professional tennis in 2006 due to back injuries.

He is also known for starting the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. This foundation has raised over $60 million to help children in Southern Nevada who are facing difficulties. In 2001, his foundation opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, a public school for children who need extra support. Agassi has been married to fellow tennis star Steffi Graf since 2001.

Andre Agassi: Tennis Legend

Early Life and Training

Andre Agassi was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. His father, Emmanuel "Mike" Agassi, was a former Olympic boxer from Iran. Andre's mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Agassi, is a breast cancer survivor. He has three older brothers and sisters. Andre's middle name, Kirk, comes from Kirk Kerkorian, a rich Armenian American businessman his father met.

When Andre was 12, he and his friend Roddy Parks won a national doubles championship. When he was 13, Agassi went to Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy in Florida. He was only supposed to stay for three months because his family couldn't afford more. But after watching him play for just 30 minutes, Bollettieri was so impressed that he told Andre's father he could stay for free. Agassi then left school in ninth grade to focus on becoming a professional tennis player.

Professional Career Beginnings (1986–1993)

Agassi playing in Argentina, 1988

Agassi became a professional tennis player at age 16. He won his first major singles title in 1987. By the end of 1988, he had won six more tournaments and earned over $1 million in prize money, faster than anyone before him. He was ranked No. 3 in the world that year.

Agassi didn't play at the Australian Open for the first eight years of his career. He also chose not to play at Wimbledon from 1988 to 1990 because he didn't like its old traditions, especially the all-white dress code.

In 1990, Agassi reached his first Grand Slam final at the French Open but lost. He then reached the US Open final, where he lost to Pete Sampras. This started a big rivalry between them. Agassi ended 1990 by helping the United States win the Davis Cup and winning his only Tennis Masters Cup.

In 1991, he reached the French Open final again but lost to Jim Courier. Agassi decided to play at Wimbledon in 1991, wearing an all-white outfit. He reached the quarterfinals.

Agassi's first Grand Slam win came at Wimbledon in 1992. He beat Goran Ivanišević in a tough five-set final. He was named the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year. Agassi also helped the U.S. win the Davis Cup again in 1992.

In 1993, Agassi won his only doubles title. He missed much of the year due to injuries and had wrist surgery later on.

Reaching the Top and Olympic Gold (1994–1997)

With his new coach, Brad Gilbert, Agassi changed his playing style to be more strategic. In 1994, he won the Canadian Open. He then became the first player who wasn't seeded (meaning he wasn't expected to win) to win the US Open.

In 1995, Agassi shaved his head, changing his famous "image is everything" look. He played in the 1995 Australian Open for the first time and won, beating Sampras in the final. Agassi and Sampras played in five finals that year, with Agassi winning three. Agassi had a career-best 26-match winning streak. He became the world No. 1 in April 1995 and held that spot for 30 weeks. He also helped the U.S. win the Davis Cup for the third time.

1996 was a tougher year for Agassi, but he won the men's singles gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

1997 was a difficult year for Agassi. He had wrist injuries and his ranking dropped to No. 141. Many people thought his career might be over.

Incredible Comeback and Career Super Slam (1998–2003)

Agassi in 1999

In 1998, Agassi worked hard to get back in shape. He played in smaller tournaments to improve his ranking. He won five titles that year and jumped from No. 110 to No. 6 in the world.

In 1999, Agassi made history by winning the 1999 French Open. He came back from being two sets down to win the final. This made him one of only a few male players to win all four Grand Slam singles titles in their career. This win also made him the first male player to win all four Grand Slams on three different surfaces (clay, grass, and hard courts). He also became the only male player to win the "Career Super Slam," which means winning all four Grand Slams, an Olympic gold medal, and a year-end championship.

After the French Open, Agassi reached the Wimbledon final but lost to Sampras. He then won the US Open, beating Todd Martin in a five-set final. Agassi ended 1999 as the world No. 1.

In 2000, he won his second Australian Open title. He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, where he lost a very close match.

Agassi started 2001 by winning the Australian Open again. He also reached the semifinals at Wimbledon. At the US Open, he lost a long, exciting match to Sampras. Agassi finished 2001 ranked No. 3, showing his amazing consistency.

In 2002, Agassi won titles in Key Biscayne, Rome, and Madrid. He reached the US Open final, where he played Sampras for the last time. Sampras won this match, which was the final match of his career. Agassi finished 2002 as the oldest year-end No. 2 player at 32 years old.

In 2003, Agassi won his eighth and final Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. On April 28, 2003, he became the oldest top-ranked male player ever at 33 years old. He held the No. 1 ranking for a total of 101 weeks in his career.

Final Years (2004–2006)

Agassi in 2006

In 2004, Agassi reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. He won the Cincinnati Masters event, bringing his total to 59 singles titles. He finished the year ranked No. 8.

Agassi's 2005 was highlighted by an amazing run to the US Open final. He won three straight five-set matches to get there, including a memorable quarterfinal win against James Blake. In the final, he lost to Roger Federer. Agassi finished 2005 ranked No. 7, marking his 16th time in the year-end top 10.

In 2006, Agassi struggled with injuries, especially back pain. He announced that the US Open would be his last tournament. He had a dramatic run at his final US Open, winning two tough five-set matches. In his very last match, he lost to Benjamin Becker. Agassi received a long standing ovation from the crowd and gave an emotional retirement speech.

Key Rivalries

Agassi vs. Sampras

The rivalry between Agassi and Pete Sampras was one of the biggest in tennis during the 1990s. They had very different playing styles: Sampras was known for his powerful serves, and Agassi for his amazing serve returns. They played 34 times, with Sampras winning 20 matches and Agassi winning 14.

Their first Grand Slam final was at the 1990 US Open, which Sampras won. They met in five finals in 1995, including the Australian Open and US Open. Agassi won the Australian Open, but Sampras won the US Open. Their matches were always exciting.

Their last meeting was in the final of the 2002 US Open. Sampras won in four sets. This was the final match of Sampras's career.

Agassi vs. Chang

Agassi played Michael Chang 22 times, with Agassi winning 15 matches. Both players liked to stay at the back of the court, leading to many long and exciting rallies. One of their best matches was at the 1994 US Open, where Agassi won a tough five-set match.

Agassi vs. Becker

Agassi and Boris Becker played 14 times, with Agassi winning 10 matches. Becker won their first three matches. Agassi later figured out Becker's serve, which helped him win more often. A memorable match was at Wimbledon in 1992, where Agassi, who wasn't known for playing well on grass, beat the three-time champion Becker.

Agassi vs. Rafter

Agassi and Pat Rafter played 15 times, with Agassi winning 10 matches. Their matches were special because of their different styles: Rafter often served and then ran to the net, while Agassi used strong returns and passing shots. They had many close, exciting matches, especially at Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001.

Agassi vs. Federer

Agassi and Roger Federer played 11 times, with Federer winning 8 matches. After Sampras retired, Federer became Agassi's main rival in his later career. Agassi won their first three matches. They played a famous quarterfinal at the 2004 US Open that lasted two windy days. Their final match was in the final of the 2005 US Open, which Federer won.

Life After Tennis

Since retiring, Agassi has played in many charity tennis events. He also continues his work with his foundation. In 2009, he presented Roger Federer with the French Open trophy when Federer completed his own Career Grand Slam.

Agassi has also played in exhibition matches against other tennis legends like Pete Sampras and Jim Courier. In 2017, he coached Novak Djokovic for a short time.

Playing Style

Early in his career, Agassi liked to finish points quickly with powerful shots. His best shot was his flat, accurate two-handed backhand. His forehand was also very strong.

Later in his career, with coach Brad Gilbert, Agassi became more strategic. He would hit deep, flat shots to make his opponents run a lot. He was known for taking the ball early, right after it bounced. A special shot he used later on was a drop shot to surprise his opponents.

Agassi grew up playing on hardcourts. Even though he said he didn't like grass courts, his first major win was at Wimbledon in 1992. His strongest surface throughout his career was hardcourt, where he won six of his eight major titles.

Giving Back

Agassi started the Andre Agassi Charitable Association in 1994 to help young people in Las Vegas. He has been recognized for his efforts to help children who are disadvantaged.

In 2001, Agassi opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas. This is a free public school for children who are at risk. He personally gave $35 million to the school. The school has had a 100% graduation rate. His foundation also helps Child Haven, a home for abused and neglected children, by providing funding for classrooms and a special facility for children with medical needs.

In 2007, Agassi helped create Athletes for Hope, a charity that encourages professional athletes to get involved in good causes. He also started a fund to help charter schools get permanent buildings.

Personal Life

Andre Agassi married fellow tennis star Steffi Graf on October 22, 2001. They have two children, a son named Jaden Gil (born 2001) and a daughter named Jaz Elle (born 2003). Agassi has said that he and Graf are not pushing their children to become tennis players. The family lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Autobiography

Agassi's autobiography, Open: An Autobiography, was published in 2009. In the book, he talks about his childhood and his father, who pushed him very hard to become a tennis player. He also shared that he sometimes wore a hairpiece earlier in his career. The book became a bestseller and received good reviews.

Career statistics

Singles performance timeline

Grand Slam finals (8 titles, 7 runner-ups)

By winning the 1999 French Open, Agassi completed a men's singles Career Grand Slam. He is the 5th of 8 male players in history (after Budge, Perry, Laver and Emerson, and before Federer, Nadal and Djokovic) to achieve this.

Result	Year	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	1990	French Open	Clay	Andrés Gómez	3–6, 6–2, 4–6, 4–6
Loss	1990	US Open	Hard	Pete Sampras	4–6, 3–6, 2–6
Loss	1991	French Open	Clay	Jim Courier	6–3, 4–6, 6–2, 1–6, 4–6
Win	1992	Wimbledon	Grass	Goran Ivanišević	6–7(8–10), 6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 6–4
Win	1994	US Open	Hard	Michael Stich	6–1, 7–6(7–5), 7–5
Win	1995	Australian Open	Hard	Pete Sampras	4–6, 6–1, 7–6(8–6), 6–4
Loss	1995	US Open	Hard	Pete Sampras	4–6, 3–6, 6–4, 5–7
Win	1999	French Open	Clay	Andrei Medvedev	1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4
Loss	1999	Wimbledon	Grass	Pete Sampras	3–6, 4–6, 5–7
Win	1999	US Open	Hard	Todd Martin	6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(2–7), 6–3, 6–2
Win	2000	Australian Open	Hard	Yevgeny Kafelnikov	3–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4
Win	2001	Australian Open	Hard	Arnaud Clément	6–4, 6–2, 6–2
Loss	2002	US Open	Hard	Pete Sampras	3–6, 4–6, 7–5, 4–6
Win	2003	Australian Open	Hard	Rainer Schüttler	6–2, 6–2, 6–1
Loss	2005	US Open	Hard	Roger Federer	3–6, 6–2, 6–7(1–7), 1–6

Open Era records

• These records were achieved in the Open Era of tennis and in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 series since 1990.
• Records in bold mean they are unique achievements.

Professional Awards

• ITF World Champion: 1999.
• ATP Player of the Year: 1999.
• ATP Most Improved Player: 1988, 1998

See Also

In Spanish: Andre Agassi para niños

• All-time tennis records – men's singles
• List of Grand Slam men's singles champions
• Tennis male players statistics
• Tennis records of the Open Era – men's singles