Agassi’s Victory Doubles in Value

So, Steffi, how’s your forehand looking?

Some people use a travel agent or the Internet to plan vacations. Andre Agassi booked a romantic tennis trip to Paris for his wife, Steffi Graf, and toddler Jaden Gil, using the Australian Open to do the job.

Nearly everyone in the sellout crowd at Rod Laver Arena knew there was more on the line than an Australian Open title. Agassi knew it, of course. His opponent Rainer Schuettler, being German, seemed to realize it better than anyone else. An Agassi victory here would mean that Graf would have to come out of retirement to play mixed doubles with Agassi at the French Open.

The 32-year-old Agassi erased any doubt he would hold up his end of the bet within a half-hour of starting the final. Agassi, seeded second, needed only 1 hour 16 minutes to win his fourth Australian Open title, dismantling Schuettler, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, today in the final. This was the most one-sided of Agassi’s eight Grand Slam titles, and he has won four times in seven trips here.

“I feel like I’m half Australian,” said Agassi, who has an Australian coach, Darren Cahill.

In comparison, the 2001 final looked competitive. Agassi dropped eight games against Arnaud Clement of France that year and today’s match equaled the most one-sided final at the Australian Open. He is on a 21-match winning streak at Melbourne Park, having suffered his last defeat at the Australian Open in the fourth round against Vince Spadea in 1999.

In 1999, Graf played what was to be her final Australian Open. She retired later that year. She became one of the focal points of the current fortnight when Agassi revealed they had made a wager on the outcome, and today he admitted his wife was not enjoying all of the renewed attention.

“I tell you, she’s not going to be thrilled about getting back on the court,” Agassi said, smiling. “I probably didn’t put her in the greatest of positions. Hopefully that is one mistake I’ll get in trouble for, for the next 50 years.”

During the on-court award ceremony, Agassi thanked Cahill, as well as his longtime trainer and friend Gil Reyes. When he didn’t mention Graf, a spectator shouted: “What about Steffi?”

Agassi replied: “Hey, I don’t talk about your wife.”

One man’s bet was a nightmare for the other. This was the first Grand Slam tournament final for Schuettler, who had never gone past the fourth round of a major. The tone was set early as he lost the first eight points and dropped the first three games in 15 minutes.

Agassi appeared to be toying with his opponent, pulling him wide with sharp angles and wearing him down instead of going for the quick winner. Agassi had 30 winners, seven aces, only 13 unforced errors and one double fault.

“There’s not a lot to say,” Schuettler said. “I tried my best.”

He, too, alluded to Graf, saying: “One positive thing, everyone is looking forward to the French Open.”

Graf, sitting in the stands, looked noncommittal.

Agassi moves into sixth place on the list of Grand Slam titleholders, tied with Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall with eight. The fifth spot is held by Bill Tilden with 10. And Agassi happens to be the oldest man to win a Slam singles title since Ken Rosewall of Australia won the Australian Open in 1972 at 37.

A year ago, Agassi was in Germany with an injured right wrist, wondering and worrying about his future. He pulled out of this tournament on the opening day and questions were raised about his sporting prospects. The injury healed, his passion returned and Agassi recommitted himself by hiring Cahill, who had coached Lleyton Hewitt to No. 1.

“To tell you something about this guy, he took over working with me at a time when I didn’t know if I’d be able to play tennis again,” Agassi said. “Thirty-one years old, not even sure I’d be able to hit anywhere close to the same standard.”

Agassi told the crowd: “Days like this are very rare. I’m so honored to share it with you for so many years. I feel like I’m half Australian. Between my coach and my son watching ‘The Wiggles’ [TV show] every morning, I darn sure feel [that way].”

This was Agassi’s second straight Slam final. He lost to Pete Sampras in four sets in the U.S. Open final in September, but observers felt he had made a quantum leap forward by beating Hewitt in the semifinals. He and Reyes renewed their off-season training sessions, increasing the effort over the holidays.

At Melbourne, Agassi dropped only one set in seven matches, to Nicolas Escude of France in the third round.

Somehow, though, the talk kept turning back to Graf. Agassi laughed when someone asked which side of the court Graf would play. He indicated it would test his powers of persuasion to make it possible.

“It’ll be my responsibility to make it happen,” he said. “I’m the one who said it.”

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Grand Master

*--* Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam record in 17-plus years on tour: Year AO FO W USO 1986 -- -- -- 1st 1987 -- 2nd 1st 1st 1988 -- SF -- SF 1989 -- 3rd -- SF 1990 -- F -- F 1991 -- F QF 1st 1992 -- SF Won QF 1993 -- -- QF 1st 1994 -- 2nd 4th Won 1995 Won QF SF F 1996 SF 2nd 1st SF 1997 -- -- -- 4th 1998 4th 1st 2nd 4th 1999 4th Won F Won 2000 Won 2nd SF 2nd 2001 Won QF SF QF 2002 -- QF 2nd F 2003 Won -- -- -- AO--Australian Open. FO-- French Open. W--Wimbledon. USO--U.S. Open

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