"Fed has a strike zone that goes from the ankles above his head, but it also goes from just behind his body to a foot and a half in front."

Great quote.

Andre shows a deep passion for this big undertaking and it is nice to see that he is very personally involved. It is wonderful that he has chosen to get so deeply involved in actively helping his community.

Hope that many more follow his example. Wow, what a change from the young and brash Agassi.

Nice post, Pete.

Were you interviewing Agassi for Sampras book or planning to start a Agassi book?

You beat me to it, Sam. Great stuff, Mr. Bodo. BTW, did Andre make you compete against his precocious students in a spelling bee? James Blake got his Harvard-educated ass kicked--big time!

--Liron

Pete -

It is these types of stories which show what impact tennis players can have on society and using their celebrity in such a positive way which are extremely valuable and I appreciate the broad spectrum of interest relating to tennis you have incorporated onto this website. Although not a regular blogger, it is great to see the contributions from so many regular members and the quality of the dialogue, opinions and forum for sharing. There is always a clear distinction of fact, opinion and insight and all of the efforts are greatly appreciated.

he is an American treasure. he never ever gave in and always gave more than he had.

Love it, love it, love it!! I adored Andre as a player, but it is impossible not to have even greater admiration for what he has dedicated himself to outside of tennis. How many athletes, and indeed, how many people, can really look around and say they have made their own community a better place for so many people.

I really look forward to the Tennis Mag Q and A. Thanks, Pete.

nice read, i love Andre he is setting a great example of how the power of one can empower so many others

Pete - This was a real treat. I'm just so in awe of Agassi. And the last line of this post was real sweet, both sentiment and expression thereof! Thanks.

Pete

Mate - LOVED IT. I guess there is nothing wrong is being honest, the 'tyrone and I' was kind of strange, the article never hit a culmination point.

But this one - was lovely. Loved your insights and learning more about AA - elegantly written

I love AA !

thanks Mate - completely appreciate your time and effort on this one, really do

Looks like Mr Agassi is getting close to the top of Maslow's hierarchy. Nice piece of writing, Pete.

oh there is hope! Pete might be putting Fed in the Andre zone, and its a delight to see... Fed has years and years to live in the space Andre occupied in say 2004 and 2005, a legend occupying his powers, a rare sight indeed ...

and I gotta say, my heart grows fond of Nadal and his comments for Fed, it takes someone like him to put all this in perspective... ONE loss does not equal a death, ok?? how many killer losses did Andre have--I think mostly of Rafter at Wimby here--and yet he rose again to delight and enthrall and play his best tennis...

anyone ridiculous enough to write off Fed merely needs to look at Agassi as a reminder to what in fact lies ahead ... I understand its just random fans looking for something new, but to write Fed off because he finally, finally loses a non clay Slam match says more about the fans than Federer himself...

Believe me, Agassi and Sampras and Nadal and the rest know what insanity Roger has been producing the last four years, and also know what lies ahead ... probably his best tennis yet!

Pete
this is a great article
I have the utmost respect for what Agassi has done to help these kids.

You know I remember being a 6th grader in youth group in Florida- and my youth minister- who had NEVER said an unkind or judgemental word about anyone,in front of me atleast- bristled when I mentioned that I liked Agassi "he's my favorite player!"- saying something to the effect that Agassi only cared about money and cars... I got defensive and managed a feeble "He does care about more than that"- at that time, though, I couldn't really argue with the negative opinion about Agassi-- as a kid I still held him close to my heart in a way, prolly thinking that someday he Would be a great man
well- fast forward, and I am so happy that he finds such joy in this school and helping the children-- I do wish he'd take his name off of the school though- sorry Andre! but it seems a bit tacky- but tacky or whatever, he's still doing things for the community at the end of the day :)

wonderful article pete !

agassi is such a great example of what a celebrity can do with the resources and fame and turn that into a great contribuition to society

not only was he a fabulous tennis player with a big heart but most of all respectful of the history of the sport and his colleagues and knowing all the things he is doing now is very gratifying

Great post, Pete! Very interesting to read about the school. Sounds like an interesting and creative place, good environment for kids and teachers. I'm not surprised that he's so involved with it. I am glad he is enjoying the next phase of his life.

My Dad brought a magazine to me last year- I think he got it on an American Airlines flight- and Andre was on the cover. I read the article immediately- then I mentioned something to the effect at "how great it is that Andre's supporting the school in Vegas"
my Dad sorta gave the comment the brush off- "well he's rich and he has time to do that!"

I thought about this comment as well- nothing untrue in what my Dad said... but I still thought he might be overlooking the jewel hidden in Andre's actions... Andre is a man with monetary and free-time privileges- like many celebrities who can and often do lend their names to doing charity work-- but not all people who Can help their community actually Do help their community-- Andre wasn't forced into building this school- or attending to the varied needs of the school-- he chose this path- which to me is amazing and a real action that I can learn from as a human being.

I love Andre. Even from PV/RH but no Sampras over Andre. However, I loath interview lobs. Who else could get close enough to ask questions of depth and not make it read like a visit to the View? I'm not looking for an expose but to not address the shortcomings within the school at all is a disservice.

I welcome his press about the school but could he speak a little of the problems AACPA had and is facing to get it right? I appreciate a link but I worry the school delivery is more a reflection of his advisers than my beloved Andre. Is he so far removed, going for the bigger picture, that success is a grad ceremony vision?

Maybe you don't want to go there but he brought it up. Maybe you don't know what to ask but as one with a little SPED experience I would have liked those questions. My Andre is a scrapper and I want to believe he is still fighting but now for education. It saddens me to hear of him so resigned to the state of education reflected at his school. Granted, it is beneficial to many but by no means inclusive.

Great post Pete! I love how Andre is involved in making some children's lives better and it has nothing to do with tennis. Bravo Andre! Bravo Pete!

Thanks for this, Pete! Perfect title.

It's apparent that Andre's quality is reflected in everything he touches. He and Steffi are way more than a power couple ... they're national treasures.

(shout out to Andy Roddick too for all the good work he's done with his foundation already at such a young age)

The comment about Federer's strike zone reveals so much about how perspicacious Agassi is. It combines his having nearly unprecedented talent with the eye to go with the talent. I have listened to tennis commentators for a long time and seen countless slow motion replays of points and never heard this depth of insight.

This is why I wish he would comment more often and why he might be the only coach who could take Federer to a new level, make him realize what he has going for him from an opponent's perspective.

Thanks again, Pete.

I am a bit jealous of you. I have a wonderful and fulfulling life that keeps me excited every day well past retirement age. I am doing work that can change lives for the better. But since long ago, I harbored a secret desire to be a sports writer or announcer. The problem is that I don't have your talent. So, I am glad you are there to share keen insights with your magnificent command of the languages of English and tennis. The only downside is that I have been spending so much time here that I am behind on my real work.

Pete - this was so nworth the wait. Ever since hearing about what andre has been building out thare in the dessert, I've been fascinated. What impresses me most I think is that he's not just expending money (which obviously he has in abundance) but his time and energy. That's the difference to me, that he's not writing a check, he's actually a presence there. And he's out there schilling for more money, opportunity, the advantage for his 'kids', always looking to improve.

Very similar to how he played the game, always looking to improve, to be better. Andre's not a saint by any means, and he's not saving the world, but dang it, he's making a concerted effort to save individual kid's worlds by opening doors they very likely would never had an opportunity to knock on, let alone step through.
And that is a great accomplishment, imo.

great post, pete. besides talent for the tennis game, agassi seems to also display an enormous intellect, and a passion for helping others, just like fed. very, very admirable.

My closest friend moved to Las Vegas a few years ago after remarrying; and when I visited her, I insisted on having her take me to see Agassi Prep and take a picture of me next to the school. She was a little embarrassed by my request, but she complied; and that picture is one of my special treasures.

I was always a big fan of Agassi, even in the very early days of his career when, I suppose, most of his fans were closer to the teenybopper age than to mine. When Andre won Wimbledon, I got so many phone calls from my good friends (from Philly to Barbados to London) who all knew of my affection for him that my husband said, "What's going on? A person would think he's your son or something!" LOL

As a teacher, I was really thrilled that Andre decided to help his community (and his world) by creating that charter school and by continuing to support it.

Robin- you could write a book maybe?

Don't know if this link was posted or not but if you want to hear Roger on the radio, here's the interview (P.S. Sorry if it had already been posted), and I don't know how to do tiny curl either. Maybe someone can fix it for me.

http://www.wfan.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=1385361

Robin I think youre right about Agassi as the only coach I can imagine benefitting Fed in any way..what a team they would be!

maybe Cahill's recent positive Fed comments are a tiny olive brach being extended for the job? hmmmm

It would be fun to see Agassi coach any top player, including Fed, but I actually think Agassi would be a better coach for Nadal than for Fed for a few reasons (this is tactically speaking, leaving aside for a moment the language barrier and the fact that Rafa probably doesn't want anyone but Uncle T. as his true coach)
-Andre did not have a naturally great serve and was not able to rely on a lot of cheap points with it, but he really improved on it over the years, especially with placement, which is what Rafa will need to do to win more cheap points
-Andre won largely by playing smart and wearing opponents down later in his career. He constructed a point so beautifully and knew exactly how to exploit his opponents' weaknesses. But he did not let agressive players overpower him a lot like we have seen with Rafa. Andre had the good aspects of a clay courter, but also could play very aggressive when he needed to and take away an opponents' options. Rafa would hugely benefit from that.
-Andre could help Rafa possibly shorten his swings and take the ball a bit more on the rise on faster courts. This would ideally help Rafa get more free points on the return like Andre did.

This fantasy aside, I cannot imagine Andre agreeing to a coaching gig. That would mean going on the road x number of weeks per year with the player, leaving Steffi and his young kids at home, not to mention Agassi prep and his other projects. My guess is that he loves being home with his family after so long and would not be eager to return to the weekly travel grind that is coaching and playing.

Great article, Pete. I've loved Andre from the first time he burst on the tennis scene and we got to see him play in Vermont to his last match at the U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe stadium. I think "charisma" has always been this guy's middle name. I am delighted of his choice of a life partner, in Steffi, and love Andre even more because of the way he speaks about his wife. What a great pair.

I agree to the comments uppost about his commentary skills...he's the best I've ever heard. Naturally, when he imparts information about about the best player I've ever seen, it is just too special to believe. Fed's strike zone has never been discussed in any commentary booth that I've heard before, has it?

I'm glad you had this opportuntiy to visit the school and get to know the man. You've done him great justice already---by the way, first para, it should be "founder."

Thanks again, Pete.

Pete
lovely article. I echo what many posters have already mentioned. I too have loved Andre as a player and am in awe of the way he completely transformed himself inside and out while living in the fishbowl of tennis. Steffi is one of my all time favorites so it was a double bonus for this fan when they became life partners. There are very few people who use their time, talents and money to help society. If you loan $100000 to someone, it could help them for a few months, but if you educate a child and instill beliefs and habits that last a lifetime, there is no question that child will have a huge impact on society. Way to go Andre (and Andy Roddick too)

Andre managed to make convert the negative logo into something positive: Now, image is everything to him. The Iconic transcends...

I don't understand FeFe's critical remarks. What did I miss?

On a separate note: Hi, Ruth!

Pete Bodo: Thank you for providing a forum where people of like mind can meet in cyberspace, then make contact in real spacetime.

My wife and I met Ruth and her husband Tuesday afternoon. We toured the Ginepri tennis facility (Robbi had already departed, but his family remained, and was very accommodating--Thanks!) and then shared some lemon-tinged grouper at a nearby restaurant. We also shared hours of tennis talk: OZ, WTA, Sampras, ATP, Fed, Nadal, Kuzzie, Venus, Serena, Djokovic and Tsonga. We covered many non-tennis topics as well. My lasting impression: Little Soli is in very good grand-maternal hands.

And of course we discussed the TWIBE. To those TWIBERS' whose ears might have been burning that evening: No worries, it was all good stuff. Ruth made me kick myself for not attending Rolo/Andrew's gathering.

So, again, Thank You, Bodobomb. Andre has his flock, his bridge to the future; you have yours.

ks

Jenn, you are probably right about Agassi potentially making more of an impact on Nadal's game for the reasons you outlined so well.

And, you are right, Andre is not going to schlep around the world being anyone's lackey. He has bigger fish to fry as Pete and others have featured.

My thought, being Roger-centric, is that Roger does not need a coach in the traditional sense. It appears he might benefit from an occasional trip to some Tibetan mountain (metaphorical for Las Vegas in this instance) to a guru who asks the right questions to stretch mere human to reach for his greatest potential. In more mundane terms, I think Roger could benefit from a tune up with Andre two or three times a year and Andre might enjoy the hits and reminding himself that he probably could still play with anyone if his back were not so tender.

Tangent...

Ruth,
I have relatives in Barbados, not wonder you remind me of one of my family members. :)

Back the purpose of this thread.

Fefe,
please elaborate. Does this have to do with some of the "well-to- neighborhood parents trying to get their children into AA's school?
I give Andre credit for trying to build a life through education for these children and their parents.

Ruth that is no wonder... sorry no coffee yet. :)

Andre is a former world class athlete that has become a world class man. Actually he has been there for a while, long before his career was over.

It's WONDER*FULL 2 C that Andre has done SOOO much 4 his community as well as 4 his sport! He is a Unique Individual (as is his wife)
& has ALWAYS Given Back & Given Out 2 whatever Project he tackles!
THANX 4 Sharing This insight 2 Cite on site!! Here's 2 Andre=GR8!

Creig - yeah, you missed a good one - maybe this year at the sophomore soiree.

Hi, Ruth!!!!

Her is Fed's take= get off the ledge - on Tennis.com main page.

``I don't think I can change my game drastically, and I don't think I should, you know? I have the possibility to vary my game, and that's my big strength,'' Federer said. ``In today's game, it's the details, so that's what I have to keep working on. That's maybe the reason why I have to look for someone else'' to work with.

``Eventually somebody will catch up, but I try to make it as difficult as possible, and that's why I'm happy I actually did play the semis. People, I think, are talking like I lost in the second round or something,'' Federer said. ``But under the circumstances - having not played a tournament before and maybe being also a bit sick - I was actually quite happy with the result in the end.''

``Of course,'' he made sure to add, ``I wish I could have played better against Djokovic.''

Aww...creig. :) Ruth is amazing, isn't she? *hugs Ruth* Soooo glad you got to meet her. And as Rolo says...would be great if you could meet some of us at the USO this year. (Party at Rolo's! Woohoo!)

Actually, I don't understand FeFe's implied questions/criticisms, but as per GVgirl's comment, let me assure you that admission to AP is strictly by a state-administered lottery, with 75 per cent of the places going to kids who live within a two-mile radius of AP. Since I am not an education expert and was there to interview Andre on general subjects, I didn't think it appropriate or in context for me to get into a discussion of where (if anywhere) the school is challenged, or underperforming. My impression, which I didn't think necessary to articulate in the post, is that AP has given the students remarkable tools, and what they do with them, and what they succeed (or fail) at is another issue, for another time and place. I personally found it moving that Andre created this school and is so obviously vested in it; the school has a high-level of accountability to state authorities in a way that guarantees that Andre's name and celebrity mean zilch. Whoever noted that in this project, Andre has done far more than "write a big check" pretty much nailed it.

Pete,
what a great post.
It is amazing to see this kid who was angry at his father for making him play tennis, transform to such a passionate, considerate, businessman. He seems very balanced and content . He is not bored with his retirement. He has found other things to do that give him a purpose and as you say he daoes not live in the past, but for the future. It doesn't sound like retirement at all. More seems like promotion into a more purposful life.

Pete,
what a great post.
It is amazing to see this kid who was angry at his father for making him play tennis, transform to such a passionate, considerate, businessman. He seems very balanced and content . He is not bored with his retirement. He has found other things to do that give him a purpose and as you say he daoes not live in the past, but for the future. It doesn't sound like retirement at all. More seems like promotion into a more purposful life.

if anyone should know, it's you, Pete. how did Tiriac become a billionaire?

Let's not get carried away here. Fed could have easily lost to Tipsarevitch in the 3rd round. Come to think of it he may have benefited more if he had...(like having some humble pie and deciding to fix the holes in his game).
IMHO, it's more probable he may loose in the early rounds at Roland Garros than making the finals or winning it. Too bad the French just decided against betting for this year due to all the "match fixing" investigations.
Fed is so self absorbed only Agassi's vanity can overshadow it.

Robin: I see that you're on board with my "Fed needs a consultant rather than a regular coach" idea.

Roger needs some BG time. :) Ok...small doses, but I STILL think it would work!!

Sam,
Fed will have a coach whether it is a regular one or a consultant.

Andrew...a cup of coffee on me for this little gem:

**Believe me, Agassi and Sampras and Nadal and the rest know what insanity Roger has been producing the last four years, and also know what lies ahead ... probably his best tennis yet!**

We miss you, Dre.

Supersnark - mostly, Tiriac did it by being at the leading edge when the two Germanies united, and using his celebrity in Romania to get traction for various banking and business ventures

Enjoyed this post, Mr. Bodo. Like many, I've learned to appreciate Andre over the years, he's living proof that people grow, evolve, and mature, how great is that a lesson for the self-absorbed among us (ummm, not excluding my silly self)....

I'm agog with curiosity, what specific advice would Andre give our Roger in his next match against the Djoker...? I did not actually see the AO semi, could not bear the thought of watching my favorite lose (I admit, it's all about the cult of personality, not necessarily the sport of tennis, for this quack, so I hang my head in shame), but from what I hear, Roger had a heck of a time holding his serve.... so maybe Andre would begin with advice about Roger's service motion?

I was fortunate enough to be at the Centre Court at Wimbledon when Andre said goodbye. Steffi was watching from the Royal Box with a host of former ladies' champions. Apart from the privilege of seeing Andre play there for the last time and the really genuine emotion everyone felt, I was so struck by the self-effacing grace of Rafa as he diverted all attention away from himself to Andre. He was so professional in the way he beat Andre and so human in the way he understood how to behave.

hi pete, tks for the agassi academia story... nice read ;)
btw, any chance you interview of andre will appear on my french tennis mag ? your last winter interview of andy finally got printed and translated into the french mag some months later... so i hope to read it at some point :D

agassi was such a foolish young guy, and turn into a responsible and generous one... i wonder sometimes what was the turning point in his transformation... i loved him more in his last years, and his story with steffi is like some fairy tale... still hard to believe these 2 end up toghether ;P

THx Pete. I'm becoming ever more curious about what retired pros do after their playing days are over. Safin should eventually start a model agency, 'From Russia with Flove.' I can see him grinning already...

Creig,

It's interesting you mention how Agassi's "image is everything" applies now more than ever. I know you meant is as a positive and a compliment, but it could be interpreted as sarcastic and cynical. In other words "nothing has changed, Agassi agressively and emotionally pursued fame and what he thought was cool when he was young, and he's doing the same now, just so happens -very incidentally- that it's now cool to be admired as a good person and Agassi, as usual, goes one step further"

I don't know the man and have no opinion on this (in fact Agassi used to be among my favorite players to watch and seems very intelligent) but this incessant in your face "look at me, what a good person I am", the numerous adverts he seriously espoused even at his later stage(from clothes to perfumes etc) the intimate photoshoots with Steffi Graf, the successive emotional appearances in charity events, the sincere look of the saint who is always networking only because he has to and the absence of any critical opinion on controversial issues incl. about children or inequality (his especially grating enthousiasm for Dubai for example "the best place on earth, I'm thinking of investing here, come to see paradise") are a bit too much for me.

As an outsider it's not pretty looking at many of the above, but on the other hand he has a good reason. If he doesn't do all this, his income and therefore his ability to make a difference in the world will be diminished. He might be something of a saint after all, I don't know !

This is a topic I often think about and it applies to many celebrities in one way or another. They are actively part of a system that promotes severe inequality and at the same time do charity to reduce it. To take a simplified example, an actor/ress who advertises clothes from a company which is infamous for its sweatshop factories and inhumane conditions of its underage workers but who also donates part of his/her income to children in developing countries. Is that kindless, assuage of guilt, and is the whole behaviour more harmful or beneficial ? I don't know.

Sorry for long delurking message here !

dlsean, I do see your point but I prefer to attribute nobler motives to selfish altruism. We all have egos albeit to differing degree.... I, for one, would rather have public figures dole out charities, whatever the true motive, than invectives (and I happen to be a person who dislikes being patronized above all else).

...Oopsie, dlsean, hoist by my own petard.... If I came across as patronizing myself, my apologies.

Wealth and success tend to smooth the rough edges. I doubt Agassi's a saint, (maybe he's buddhist?) but he's not a demon or a fool either.

It's really a shame about Pim Pim. For a sport rarely seen as physically taxing, tennis is tough wrt recurring injuries often ruining promising careers. Tournament play is tough, with barely enough time to fully recover between matches, no wonder niggling injuries become chronic and in some cases, career-ending.

"In that area, there isn't a former player out there who has a strike zone as big as Andre's."

Great phrasing, and a wonderful article. Thank you!

supersnark
*** For a sport rarely seen as physically taxing, tennis is tough wrt recurring injuries often ruining promising careers. Tournament play is tough, with barely enough time to fully recover between matches, no wonder niggling injuries become chronic and in some cases, career-ending.****

that's a great point. I wonder why ATP puts so much emphasis on hard court and as you say there is not much time for recovery in between. Wouldn't it be better for the players if we had more tournaments on grass and clay and less on hard courts? Seems ATP is just doing the opposite!

Siggy: 'prefer to attribute nobler motives to selfish altruism'

- reminded me of Ayn Rand's book - 'Virtues of selfishness'.

Hey Maple, that's my line! ...took me a few GEs to come up with it, too lol

Ah, Agassi, Agassi, Agassi...

When you talk about the GOAT's, was there ever anyone who had a better combination of forehand and backhand than he did?

Nice piece, Pete. See what can happen when you put on the shoe leather?

Thanks far a nice article on Agassi. It's great to see that the dude who got me into tennis becuase of his wild hair and funky clothes has turned into such a thoughtful person.

Welcome, dlsean!

"Fed will have a coach whether it is a regular one or a consultant."

Schwab: Beckham will be happy to hear that. ;-)

Pete: I want to echo Creig's thanks to you for providing this amazing forum through which we tennis lovers can meet both in cyberspace and in real space.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour which Creig had arranged of the club in Marietta that is owned by Ginepri and his coach. Since my brother lives in the vicinity (like Creig and his wife) and all my friends have been predicting that I'll move to the Atlanta area just to be closer to Soli, I just may be considering membership in that club some day. :)

Creig and his charming wife were perfect hosts, and I think that they've convinced me that I should consider adding the Amelia Island WTA event (which they've been attending for years) to the short list of tourneys that I go to each year. And, CB, we will definitely be returning to that wonderful seafood restaurant on future visits to Atlanta.

I'm sure that any venture (like the college prep school that Agassi founded) would have some growing problems, and I'm equally dure that Agassi, his advisors, and the staff are dealing with them effectively. I, for one, was very pleased that Agassi was able to get a special ruling from the State to make sure that enrollment in the school would benefit mainly the children from the neighborhood in which it is located.

Needless to say, when the school was in the planning stages, many parents from more affluent areas wanted to take advantage of the policy which requires all charter schools to accept children from all over the school districts in which they are located, but Andre was able to convince Nevada to give major preference in enrolling to the more at-risk kids from the area near the school.

"When you talk about the GOAT's, was there ever anyone who had a better combination of forehand and backhand than he did?"

Good question, Pierre. He accomplished amazing things for never winning a lot of free points on his serve. One of the few greats with that characteristic.

Amazing Fed interview link upthread. Astonishing how candid Federer is. And that guy's East Coast accent asking those questions is priceless. That's one for the archives.

Wow. I can't imagine such a school although such classrooms do exist. It goes to show what happens when all parts are committed to the cause. It's crazy to me how two people that I've barely met could inspire me so much. I sometimes wonder if Andre would hire me.

Oh man. I miss Andre being around. Pete, ask him if he can start doing a weekly press conference just for fun. And GREAT piece!

Lydia

***I sometimes wonder if Andre would hire me.***

and me!

Sign:
*will work for tennis lessons!*

Thanks so much Pete.