'Most Unhappy Person': Andre Agassi Reflects On Dropping Down To Challenger Tour
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Andre Agassi's career is among the most interesting in tennis history, not only because of his successes but also due to the struggles he endured, including a spell on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Agassi was at the top of men's tennis from 1994 and 1995. He won his third Grand Slam title at the 1995 Australian Open, became world No. 1 for the first time in 1995, and looked destined to stay there for many years.
After being unable to win a Grand Slam in 1996, Agassi had a nightmare 1997. He was ruled out with a wrist injury for much of the year and then could not initially find his previous level after returning in 1998.
In an interview with the ATP after appearing at the Arizona Tennis Classic in Phoenix, Agassi recounted how he felt disconnected from tennis despite reaching No. 1 and that his subsequent fall did not shock him.
"I got to number one in the world, and people must've thought I was living the dream, but I was probably the most disconnected, unhappy person in a lot of ways. I spent two years falling to 140 in the world. Everybody in the world was surprised except me."
Agassi began playing Challenger Tour events after finishing 1997 outside the Top 100. Although that felt strange to many, the American was actually in a better place on the Challenger circuit than the previous few years.
"When I found my reason for playing, I had to start over again. It was too important to me and people thought I was Bruce Springsteen playing at the local bar or something."
"But for me it was the most connected I’d ever felt with tennis, because I finally had my reason to be back out there. While I was playing guys that probably never dreamed they’d meet me, let alone beat me. At the end of it, I was where I needed to be. That felt so good."
The eight-time Grand Slam champion had to adjust to facing players who were not as good as those at the top but who played with desperation and determination because they wanted to make a living from tennis.
"What is typically hard about Challenger level is that these guys are fighting to get to a place where they can count on their life, count on their schedule, count on being in tournaments, count on paying their bills, count on changing their plane reservation because it will cost them if they don’t. They are out there fighting for each other’s livelihoods. It’s really raw and really honest."
Since the end of his tennis career, Agassi has been refreshingly honest. His autobiography, Open, is considered by many to be one of the best and rawest insights into an athlete's life.
The former world No. 1's rivalry with Pete Sampras is among the best in tennis history. Agassi admits that the 14-time Grand Slam champion ruined many Sundays for him in finals throughout his career.
WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka recently mentioned that Agassi gave her advice after appearing together at an exhibition in Las Vegas.
