Sometimes in life, things don’t go our way and it is so easy to sulk in disappointment and lose interest in hard work. I would like to tell the story of Modern Tennis giant of open era: Andre Agassi to motivate some of the young people out there.
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Andre Agassi, born in 1970, turned pro in 1986 at just 16 years of age. He reached the semifinals of French Open 1988 before getting knocked out. Then, he reached 1988 US open semi-finals and lost. Then again 1989 US open semi-finals and lost again. This was so frustrating for him. He just couldn’t keep up with the high pressure situation of playing for the finals. He kept on trying.
Finally, Andre reached his first grand slam final in 1990, French Open. Such a young boy at 20 years of age and here he was, against the best players in the world at the biggest stage. He once again couldn’t soak up the pressure and lost in the finals to Andrés Gómez 3–6, 6–2, 4–6, 4–6. It was heart-breaking for him at such little age. But, unfazed by defeat he moved on.
Later that year in 1990, Andre once again reached a grand slam final (US open this time). Then there was Pete Sampras against him. Arguably the kryptonite to his superman. During whole career, Pete and Andre met 9 times in Grand slams and Pete knocked Andre out in 6 out of 9 times. That has got to be hurtful. Imagine having to settle for second best because someone is slightly better than you. Pete knocked Andre out in straight sets in 1990 US open finals 4–6, 3–6, 2–6.
Andre moved on again. He now had total of 3 grand slam semi-final and 2 final appearances. Then in 1991, he once again reached the final of French open for straight second time in a row. This time only to lose to Jim Courier. He was ahead by 2 sets to 1 and then panicked in a crunch situation to lose 6–3, 4–6, 6–2, 1–6, 4–6. The one-sided manner in which he lost the fourth set derailed him completely and he was heart-broken.
Tennis can be hard. Arguably it is the loneliest sport in the world with none around you for at least 40 feet (except for chair umpires and ball-boys/girls). According to the tennis laws, You can’t even speak to your coach during the game. You are out there alone with you and your racket. Every shot will be judged by millions of people. Every bad shot will be scrutinized and it is hard not to let it affect you. If you start losing confidence, if you don’t believe in yourself, Tennis can destroy you from inside.
Anyway, After losing 1991 French open final, Andre almost gave up hope. He sold his tennis rackets and decided to quit the game. He calmly consoled himself, “Probably I don’t have what it takes to cross the finish line. It is fine.” Then, somehow his brother talked him into playing one last tournament and that was the life-turning event in his life. Andre never looked back from there again. He reached 1992 French open semi-final before getting knocked out. But, he had found his love for tennis back. At this stage, he had total of 4 semifinals and 3 finals in grand slams. It seemed destined that he will have to settle for semi-final and final appearance and maybe he won’t win a slam ever.
Then arrived 1992 Wimbledon. Andre blasted his way into the finals to meet Goran Ivaniševic. It was his fourth appearance in a grand slam final and his first in Wimbledon. He lost the hard-fought first set 6-7(8-10). He must have thought: “Here we go again. Same old story repeats.” Still he didn’t give up and won the next two sets 6-4, 6-4. Now, he could see the finish line. He was ahead by 2 sets to 1 now, with the first set loss being very marginal. Surely, he was the better player that day. He was one set away from the glory. Then, something strange happened. Ivaniševic destroyed him in the fourth set 6-1. Now, it was deja Vu for Andre from French open 1991. It was exactly the same position from where he had lost then. Ahead by 2 sets to 1, and then losing 6-1 in fourth set, to lose the momentum and hence the match. This was the tipping point for Andre.
He said to himself, “If I am going to go down, I will go down on my terms.” He let go of fear of failing. Then, he did something extraordinary. In the last and final set of the match, the scoreline was 4-5 with Andre leading. He smashed two points to make it 30-0. Here Andre was, just two shots away now from the glory of Wimbledon. He could almost see his past failures on Ivaniševic’s face. He knew how it hurts to lose after coming so up close. He knew how falling apart in crunch situation felt like.
Ivaniševic didn’t give up either and came back strongly to win next two points and it was 30-all now. It was a battle of nerves from thereafter. Andre was two points away from the victory while Ivaniševic was fighting to stay in the game. Then Ivaniševic missed the serve and Andre capitalized on it. 40-30 and now, Andre was only one shot away.
Ivaniševic was serving. Andre returned it as hard as he could. Then, Ivaniševic missed an easy volley and the return smashed the nets. BOOM!
1992 Wimbledon champion: Andre Kirk Agassi.
He fell down on his knees and tears started rolling down his cheeks. The outpour of emotions came. Everything he ever worked hard for, came to be true finally. He was a believer. HE FINALLY DID IT! A tennis-star was born.
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Through this story, I wanted to highlight the importance of self-belief and never-give-up attitude. They really do matter. (Later on, Andre went to on win 8 grand slams and one Olympic gold medals, only the second player in history to win career golden slam). He won a total of whopping 870 matches which is 7th on all times list. Later on, he was called as arguably the greatest returner in history.)
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Just remember: It is never too late to mend. Rome was not built in a day. You can win from anywhere. Success is 99% Perspiration and 1% Inspiration. You can. You will. Anything is possible.
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Best wishes. Always and Forever.
To Infinity and Beyond... 