Post by Duchess of Lashes on Sept 3, 2006 18:57:58 GMT -5
I have always loved tennis, played a little when I was much younger, but spent many more hours watching and cheering for Bjorn Borg and Stefan Edberg, through Wimbledons, Australian, French and U.S. Opens. It is hard to believe it was twenty-one years ago that I noticed a brash young American of Armenian descent, who took the tennis world by storm, perhaps then not so much because of his tennis gifts, as plentiful as they were, but moreso because of that mane of hair, and that neon sense of style. Back then, image was everything.
Oh, how he has grown through the years, harnessing the attitude that so early on marked every interview and appearance. We have seen him slowly lose that hair and along with it that brashness, that cockiness, and somewhere along the way, discover within himself a sense of humility, a reckoning that he could take those gifts and make a difference in someone else's life.
And we have seen him do just that, both on the court, where he has thrilled and amazed with his talent; and off where he has thrilled and amazed with his generous spirit. He has raised over $60 million for charity, founded schools and programs to ensure that those so easily forgotten aren't forgotten, certainly not by him.
There have been so many big names throughout the history of tennis, but none, I think, who have carried this sport with such grace and class and dignity. And today, in what was his last tournament appearance, hoping against the odds that his ailing back would allow him to finish proud, he did just that. The swan song is over, there were tears and good-byes, and in his final words to his adoring fans, that humility was there for the whole world to share:
"The scoreboard says I lost today. But what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 year, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometimes even at my lowest moments. I have found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could never reach for without you. Over the last 21 years, I have found you. And I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life."
I cried with you today, Andre Agassi. The tennis world, and those who love it, will definitely miss you. You really did make such a difference. You really did yourself proud!
Oh, how he has grown through the years, harnessing the attitude that so early on marked every interview and appearance. We have seen him slowly lose that hair and along with it that brashness, that cockiness, and somewhere along the way, discover within himself a sense of humility, a reckoning that he could take those gifts and make a difference in someone else's life.
And we have seen him do just that, both on the court, where he has thrilled and amazed with his talent; and off where he has thrilled and amazed with his generous spirit. He has raised over $60 million for charity, founded schools and programs to ensure that those so easily forgotten aren't forgotten, certainly not by him.
There have been so many big names throughout the history of tennis, but none, I think, who have carried this sport with such grace and class and dignity. And today, in what was his last tournament appearance, hoping against the odds that his ailing back would allow him to finish proud, he did just that. The swan song is over, there were tears and good-byes, and in his final words to his adoring fans, that humility was there for the whole world to share:
"The scoreboard says I lost today. But what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 year, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometimes even at my lowest moments. I have found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could never reach for without you. Over the last 21 years, I have found you. And I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life."
I cried with you today, Andre Agassi. The tennis world, and those who love it, will definitely miss you. You really did make such a difference. You really did yourself proud!
