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Honor and privilege Agassi returns to Paris as reigning champ
Posted: Wednesday May 31, 2000 05:41 PM
Rain canceled play at the French Open in Paris on Tuesday, thus delaying Andre Agassi's first appearance as defending men's singles champion. CNNSI.com's Pedro Pinto caught up with Agassi during a practice session this week at Roland Garros. PARIS -- Paris, the City of Lights. Will they shine on Andre Agassi once again? "There are expectations on fans part and maybe even on my end," says last year's champion. "I certainly expect a lot from myself, but overall it's now a feeling of just honor and privilege to be defending champion." His title at Roland Garros last year made him only the fifth man in history to win all four Grand Slams. For the first time in his career, Agassi went on to finish the year at No. 1. "I don't know what kind of edge I had," Agassi said. "I was pretty thankful of tournaments I had won prior, but something about winning here and completing them was a dream come true and it's changed my career. It's changed my life. I'll never forget it." That victory has turned him into even more of the center of attention. "I think like last year he has a chance to go through this year," said Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten who won the title in 1997. "[It] depends a lot on first rounds. He has to build his game like everybody has to do it." One person who can appreciate Agassi's success on clay is fellow American Pete Sampras who has had little success as evidenced by his first round defeat to on Monday to Mark Philippoussis of Australia. "Even though he hasn't played much on clay we know he has the game to play very well on dirt," Sampras said. "Winning here last year was a great effort. The game is very strong, so many clay court players. I look at any of 30 guys that could win it here." And with many grueling five-set marathons expected on this slower surface, it might all come down to who is in shape, and who is not. "Fitness is so huge here," says Agassi. "I'm making sure I'm prepared for each match and breaking down my opponent and be willing to pay the price." A price which has already brought him the Australian Open title this year. And now more than ever, Agassi feels content with his place in the game. "You're always making sure you're where you want to be and for me, I'm pretty clear about where I am at the moment. How long that lasts or the direction I go, I can't make any promises there." Agassi will try to make the finals of the Grand Slam tournament for the fifth time in a row. He has won three out of his last four major title matches with his only loss coming to Sampras last year at Wimbledon.
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