2005 US Open Tennis Championships
Andre is the Man
Andre Agassi vs. James Blake (Wednesday September 7-8, 2005, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (6)
Roger Federer vs. Andre Agassi (Sunday, September 11, 2005, 6-3,2-6, 7-6(1), 6-1
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Flushing Meadows, New York
One of the sports that I was able to bond effectively with my father at a young age where he spent the most time and focus to teach me the art of the toss, quick foot work, and consisted eye contact on the ball, was on the hot hard courts playing the yellow-fuzzy-ball-sport of tennis. It is a mental and physical challenging test where not always the strongest and quickest competitor is the winner. Tennis is a sport where the athlete can use the emotions of cleverness, frustration, and patience to take advantage of his or her opponent. During my youth I constantly drove my attention towards the major Grand Slam events where tennis greats John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Chris Evert, Martina Navratolova, and Steffi Graf battled it out down under in Melbourne at the Australian Open, on clay at Roland Garros for the French Open, at the All England Club for Wimbledon, and in Flushing Meadows Queens New York at the US Open. As I grew older and was living at a luxury house in La Jolla California with a tennis court in the backyard, my play and interest increased as a new generation of legends were created within the careers of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2005, where I would finally bring my childhood memories to the big stage at the United States Tennis Center under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium during August at the US Open. I had already purchased a $135.00 for the Men’s Final via Ebay, but on a quiet Wednesday afternoon alone in Astoria/Queens/Long Island City New York I was browsing through the paper and discovered a full page advertisement for the US Open quarterfinal match between Andre Agassi and young New York native James Blake during the night session. Alerting my attention and desire to view a memorable match, I rushed to a local ticket outlet passing by a bus that displayed the same advertisement that I just read in the paper, but was unsuccessful in landing a seat at the outlet due to unavailability. I then decided to jump on the infamous 7 train to Flushing Meadows to inquire about tickets for the quarterfinal battle at the stadiums ticket office.
Outside at the box office I was surprisingly provided a face value seat for $58.00 to witness one of the most exciting sporting events my body and soul have ever encountered. I have seen my fair share of professional athletes in my day, but I have never and I mean never viewed an athlete with as much calm, consistent, composure, and focus then that of the Las Vegas man Andre Agassi. Point after point he digs in, and never gives up on his ability and mental strength. He doesn’t win every point, but he finds a way to create opportunities and shoot winners down the lines. I remembered long haired, pink attire wearing, controversial young rebel in the early late 80s, but now its completely shaved-bald-headed, father of two, classy man, married to Steffi Graf in the quarterfinals of the US Open, determined to do what it takes to move on to the next stage of the tournament. James Blake came out blazing and took complete control early on, as all his shots seemed to hit the mark, as he easily won the first two set 6-3, 6-3 in front of a surprised packed house. Little did we know what would lie ahead, but a match of tennis that few will never forget who were in attendance. There was no sign of aging in AA at 35 years old as he fought his way back winning the 3rd set 6-3 with huge winners and forcing Blake to play defense. In my mind Andre Agassi is the best return man the game will ever see. He possesses unbelievable quick reaction time and eye mobility. Agassi has played against some huge servers in his days that have allowed him to craft his specialty, and he surely proved his abilities against Blake taking the 4th set 6-3 forcing a deciding 5th set in front of a crazed after-midnight New York crowd. Blake got cranked up, breaking Agassi for a 3-2 lead with a huge forehand winner. Agassi got the break back and put the pressure on Blake to force the tiebreaker with a 118mph ace. Agassi finally put an end to the duel after 2 hours, 51 minutes with a forehand that found the sideline as the clock struck 1:09 am.
Andre Agassi went up against fellow American Robby Ginerpri surviving his third straight five set thriller (6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3) making it to his 6th US Open Finals versus the swift Swede Roger Federer who defeated Lleyton Hewitt (6-3,7-6(0), 4-6, 6-3) in his semifinal. The final at Arthur Ashe Stadium was set between an American legend and the new dominant champion in men’s tennis. Earlier in the day I was giving my respects at Ground Zero where the reading of the names’ ceremony took place in honor of all who perished on September 11th four years earlier at the World Trade Center. The sun was setting on Manhattan as I closely watched the two surviving warriors warm up. Both of these men are true class acts that stroke the ball with such grace and confidence. Being a surprise to make it to the final, Agassi was the true crowd favorite, but one can’t deny the sure power and court coverage that Federer possesses. Many people have asked since I have experienced his play in person, “What edge does Roger Federer have over his opponents that makes him so dominant?” The best answer I can give is his consistent ability of overall strength throughout the match and how much focus and attention he gives to each point. He skillfully places his shots by setting up his opponents, finding their vulnerabilities, and then conquering the opportunity to explode winners or causing his opponents to create unforced errors. As much as I desired to see Agassi win his 9th Grand Slam at the US Open, Federer completely had control of the match throughout. Even though Agassi won the 2nd set and forced a tiebreak in the 3rd, Federer was the dominant force and was crowned his 2nd straight US Open champion making it his 6th Grand Slam title.
Andre Agassi and Roger Federer are a huge part of tennis history. Agassi is the last player who was part of an era that dominated the global courts throughout the 80s and 90s. This has been a time where tennis has developed into a worldwide phenomenon and now the patriarch, the man to beat, Tennis’ #1, Roger Federer is conquering in true fashion. A true passing of the torch has been made and Federer has taken its flame with the guidance of his coach Tony Roche and ignited the tennis stage. Through integrity, honor, and pure athletic ability, the time is now for Roger to shine and succeed taking in influences of men like Andre Agassi showing the world what it takes to be a champion.
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