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Hoping for a repeat Agassi looks for more magic at Roland Garros
Posted: Friday May 26, 2000 06:34 PM
Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf were the darlings of the French Open last year, winning their titles in thrilling and altogether unlikely fashion. Little did we know then that they were also darlings to each other. Yes, it was in the City of Light a year ago that an illuminating romance began. Graf, who defeated Martina Hingis in a memorable women's final of tantrums and tears, would later retire from tennis. Agassi, though, was only just quenching his thirst after a long success drought. His men's singles title at Roland Garros catapulted him into the echelons of all-time tennis greats as it completed his Grand Slam collection. He was just the fifth man to win all four majors in his career.
But he almost didn't play the tournament at all because of shoulder trouble, which forced him to pull out of the World Team Cup in Germany the week before the French. He recovered just in time -- then used the notion of recovery to see him through a treacherous path to the final. Remember how he was just a couple of points away from a second round exit to Frenchman Arnaud Clement , only to fight back to win in five sets? Then Agassi rallied from 4-6 1-4 and two breaks down against defending champion Carlos Moya in the fourth round, before his greatest escape act of the fortnight ... a five-set final triumph over Andrei Medvedev , having lost the first two 1-6 2-6. Agassi now enters the French Open (starting May 29) as the men's top seed and among the title favorites. What a difference a year makes, don't they say? It was his French frolic last May and June which helped him reach this lofty perch. Without that triumph, would a Wimbledon final, US Open title and year-ending world number one ranking have followed? Probably not. The French gave him new belief in his incredible talents.
Curiously enough, he comes into this year's second Grand Slam with injury trouble fresh in his mind. His clay court campaign has been way short of ideal. But Roland Garros holds a special place in his heart now for more than one reason. The crowd there chanted Steffi's name one day and his the next. This year, they'll be ready to continue their love affair with Agassi all over again. A renewal of vows, if you like. Watching from the stands will be Graf, who'll be looked upon in equal adoration -- and she'll only be there as a spectator this time. The vibes flying around the show courts for this exulted pair could be worth few extra points for Agassi at the most crucial of stages. Magnus Norman leads the ATP Points Race, Gustavo Kuerten just won a Masters Series title in Hamburg, Germany and Marat Safin has been a new clay court phenomenon since joining forces with Andrei Chesnokov. They should all make strong French Open title challenges. But I only hope that if they do, they make enough room along the way for another barnstorming run by Agassi. Tennis needs to milk ever ounce of showtime from the 30-year-old American before his shining light flickers on the world stage no more. Roland Garros needs him to keep the world watching, when Dominik Hrbaty against Felix Mantilla just isn't cutting the mustard. So here's to a fit and healthy Andre, to sure feet on clay instead of those made of clay and to a championship defense which may just bring Steffi to tears of joy at Roland Garros for the second successive year.
Phil Jones is a co-host of "World Sport," the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International.
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