'Too many dips in his career': Jimmy Connors once downplayed Andre Agassi's US Open comeback against American legends Pete Sampras and John McEnroe
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Despite Andre Agassi's big year, winning both the French Open and the U.S. Open, reclaiming the World No. 1 spot and ending Sampras's six-year streak, Connors was blunt: 'I wouldn't mention his name in the same breath.' He also dismissed claims that Agassi modeled his game on him, saying, 'Imitation is the greatest form of flattery but I think they broke the mold when I finished.' Jimmy Connors added that Agassi's comeback at age 29 was not admirable, saying there were 'too many dips in his career,' and that with Agassi's talent, he 'should never have allowed himself to drop out of the top four or five.'
Jimmy Connors on André Agassi's comeback and place among legends
Jimmy Connors was not astonished by Andre Agassi's achievements in 1999. Agassi climbed back to World #1 after the double French Open–U.S. Open. Connors thought that number one's termination of Sampras's long reign was insufficient to rank him among the absolute best. He emphasized how important stability is in a player's life.
Jimmy Connors emphasized that Agassi's career included many highs and lows, unlike Pete Sampras's consistent performance.
Jimmy Connors said
"For him to be staging a comeback at the age of 29 is not the right thing," Connors said. "
There have been too many dips in his career and he hasn't been consistently at the top of his game like Pete Sampras. With his talent, he should never have allowed himself to drop out of the top four or five."
Also Read:
Andre Agassi's farewell at the 2006 U.S. Open
Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis at the 2006 U.S. Open in New York. In his final match, held at Arthur Ashe Stadium, he lost in the third round to Germany's Benjamin Becker. After the loss, the audience gave him a four-minute standing ovation. During his emotionally powerful farewell speech, Agassi said:
'The scoreboard said I lost today. But what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty… I found inspiration… And I've found generosity… I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
15 minutes ago
- NDTV
US Open: Carlos Alcaraz And Novak Djokovic Could Get Early Tests
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will face potential difficult American opponents when they begin their quest for another U.S. Open title. Venus Williams, meanwhile, returns to the event at age 45 against No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova, a past French Open finalist who has reached the semifinals in New York the past two years. That was one of the early highlight matches after the draws were conducted Thursday for the men's and women's singles tournaments. Those begin Sunday, a day earlier than in the past, and a pair of recent U.S. Open champions could be tested early. Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, starts against Reilly Opelka. Opelka, a former top-20 player before injuries, is 6-foot-11 with a powerful serve that he rode to the fourth round in New York in 2021. Alcaraz won his lone U.S. Open title the following year and has gone on to add four more Grand Slam titles. Djokovic owns a men's record 24 of them, including four at the U.S. Open. Seeded seventh, he will face Learner Tien, a 19-year-old left-hander who upset Daniil Medvedev en route to the fourth round of this year's Australian Open. Now playing infrequently outside of the majors at 38 and having fallen to No. 7 in the rankings, Djokovic could have to beat 2024 U.S. Open runner-up Taylor Fritz, the No. 4 seed, in the quarterfinals, then Alcaraz in the semifinals and No. 1 Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, in the final. Williams was given a wild card by the U.S. Tennis Association into a tournament where she won two of her seven Grand Slam singles titles, and will be the oldest player to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows since 1981. But she faces someone who has shown the ability to raise her game in the biggest tournaments. Muchova, after falling in the 2023 French Open final, got to the semis in New York later that summer and again last year. No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, who won her first major title in the 2023 U.S. Open, will first face Ajla Tomljanovic, the Australian who beat Williams' younger sister, Serena, in her final match in 2022. The potential quarterfinals on the men's side are Sinner vs. No. 5 Jack Draper, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev vs. No. 8 Alex de Minaur in the top half of the bracket. The bottom half could be Alcaraz vs. No. 6 Ben Shelton, and Fritz vs. Djokovic. The women's quarters could be defending champion and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, and No. 4 Jessica Pegula vs. No. 5 Mirra Andreeva on the top half. The other side could see No. 2 Iga Swiatek vs. No. 8 Amanda Anisimova in a rematch of Swiatek's romp in the Wimbledon final, and Gauff vs. No. 6 Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion.
NDTV
42 minutes ago
- NDTV
Nick Kyrgios Withdraws From US Open, Will Miss Another Major Tournament
Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the U.S. Open on Thursday, the third straight year the Australian has missed the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. Kyrgios has battled injuries in recent years and had missed most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons before trying to return this year. After undergoing wrist and knee surgeries, he came back to play in the Australian Open, but lost in the first round. That was his first appearance in any major tournament since the 2022 U.S. Open. Kyrgios had his best performance in a Grand Slam event just before that, losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. Once ranked No. 13, he has played in just five singles matches on the ATP Tour this season, none since Miami in March. Listen to the latest songs, only on He will be replaced in the tournament by a player who loses in the final stages of qualifying.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
US Open 2025 draw: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek schedule is out now
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Defending champion Jannik Sinner , who has been recovering from illness, received a more favourable route to the U.S. Open final than Carlos Alcaraz while Aryna Sabalenka will be tested in her bid to retain her title after the draw was made on Thursday. Top seed Sinner's health has come into focus since he withdrew from the Cincinnati final on Monday while trailing Carlos Alcaraz 5-0. He later withdrew from the since-completed mixed doubles event in New who increased his Grand Slam tally to four with wins at this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon, will open against Czech Vit Kopriva and could face fifth seed Jack Draper in the quarter-finals, third seed Alexander Zverev in the semis and Alcaraz in the French Open champion Alcaraz, in a stacked bottom half of the draw, will begin against American Reilly Opelka and his road to the final could include a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton and fourth seed Taylor Fritz in the champion Novak Djokovic , seeded seventh, will start against Learner Tien and could face Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round and fourth-seeded Fritz in the quarters before a blockbuster semi-final against the women's draw, top seed Sabalenka will begin against Rebeka Masarova and her fortnight could include a quarter-final date with Cincinnati finalist Jasmine Paolini and a semi-final match with Jessica champion Iga Swiatek , fresh off winning her tune-up event in Cincinnati, could face Amanda Anisimova in the Open champion Coco Gauff , the third seed, could face sixth seed and fellow American Madison Keys, who won this year's Australian Open, in the quarter-finals before a possible date with Swiatek.A1. Wimbledon champion is Iga Swiatek.A2. French Open champion is Coco Gauff.
