Goodbye and Thank You, Andre

Images of Jimmy Connors in 1991 have been dancing in my head since Andre Agassi's incredible win Thursday night over Marcus Baghdatis. Agassi had an extra day of rest, thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto. But from that emerged a sunny, light day at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and nearly perfect conditions in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Filling tennis' large stadium was a huge New York crowd, all rooting to see the aging champion go all the way in his final appearance in competitive tennis.

Normally, seeing "B. Becker" on the draw would bring chills, but this is not 1988 and this is not Boris Becker, but Benjamin Becker. Conditions could not be better to see one more great victory. But alas, my heart is saddened. Andre Agassi has lost.

Let's give Benjamin Becker some credit. He is a former NCAA Division I singles champion out of Baylor University, and he does have some game. He brought that all today — a big serve, nerves almost of steel, and he never backed down. Clearly, Andre was still hurting, and his ordeal with Baghdatis was still with him. Both players fought hard, and the scores indicated it. In the end, it was youth and health that won out over age, wisdom, and the biggest heart the game of tennis has ever known.

This is not the time nor place to sum up Andre's career. I'll leave that to all the other journalists and writers who share this media room in Arthur Ashe Stadium. It is still way too early to sum up Andre's life, either, as there are clearly many, many more chapters he has to play out. Competitive tennis has seen the last of Andre Agassi, but the game will still have him for many years. You can count on it.

Andre put up all the fight he could this day, but it was not enough. Twenty-one years of championship level tennis have worn on his body — yes, even the body of a man known as the fittest in tennis. The aches and pains grow with each day, and this moment must have weighed on his mind heavier than anything before or since. Every win was one more gift, every win added to the great burden.

It was never a matter of if, but when would the final ball be struck. At match point, the ball must have looked like a wrecking ball, and each shot in that final game must have reverberated up his arm like hitting the Great Wall of China. As he stood facing match point, you could see the tears starting to pour out of his eyes. He knew, as we did, that this was the end.

What more can you say about this champion then he was the greatest of human beings. On this day, his last competitive match and his last appearance at the U.S. Open, all of his thoughts were with the fans. Choking back the tears, trying hard to keep his composure, Andre gave a carefully rehearsed and fully heartfelt goodbye to the tennis world.

It's just minutes after the speech as I write this, and I cannot remember all the words as I cried as he spoke and my thoughts wandered through his personal tennis history like a documentary movie. I'll remember his feelings, and I'll always remember his kindness.

Andre, you said along the way over these past 21 years you found us, your fans, and that you will remember us always and take us with you into the next phase of your life. Thank you, Andre, for over these past 21 years, we have found you, and we will remember your tenderness, heart, and kindness. We will remember you as the gentleman of the game you are and were. Simply put, we will remember you.

Today, and for a while, my heart will remain sad. Andre Agassi has lost.