Andre Agassi brought his storied career to a close at the 2006 US Open after losing to Benjamin Becker in the third round.
The American, who won eight Grand Slam titles during his career, told the US Open crowd he had found loyalty, inspiration and generosity during his 21-year career.
The American won his final Grand Slam at the 2003 Australian Open, three years before his retirement.
Agassi left a significant mark on the sport and continues to do so to this day. The trials and tribulations he fought through during his career epitomise both the player Agassi was, and the type of person he is.
His peers certainly thought fondly of him, as demonstrated by their emotional reactions in 2006.
Andy Murray said he was in tears after Andre Agassi’s retirement
Andy Murray was still in the early stages of his tennis career when Andre Agassi retired in 2006.
Murray, who was only 19 years old at the time, revealed the deep-rooted impact Agassi’s retirement had on him and his peers.
“I’m not going to lie, but I think 50 or 60% of people in the locker room were probably in tears as well and were holding it back. I know I was,” Murray said in 2006, as per BBC Sport.
“I’m sure all tennis players would love to have the respect that he has from all the players and the fans. Everybody loved him anywhere he went. He’s huge.”
Unfortunately for tennis fans, Agassi retired before having the chance to play Murray on the ATP Tour.
Murray would go on to win three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals before his retirement in 2024.
Murray also led Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015 and achieved the status of world number one.
Rafael Nadal’s reaction
Future 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal also reflected on Agassi’s retirement.
The Spaniard said: “He’s a legend of tennis. He is one of the most charismatic players in the world. He deserves respect and admiration from everybody.
“He played a lot of years at an unbelievable level. That’s very, very difficult.”
Agassi and Nadal played each other twice on the ATP Tour. Nadal won both meetings – at the 2005 Canadian Open and 2006 Wimbledon Championships.
Nadal’s career blossomed into one of the greatest witnessed by tennis fans. The Spaniard, who retired from his playing career after the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, won 22 Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals and five Davis Cup titles.
As for Agassi, he remains one of the most accomplished players in tennis history, let alone American tennis history.
Agassi demonstrated immense grit and determination throughout his career. In 1997, Agassi fell to world number 147, leading many to question whether he would challenge for major honours again.
He did just that, returning to the world number one spot in 1999, and going on to win more major honours before his retirement in 2006.
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