US open 3rd Round, A.Agassi vs. B.Becker

The scoreboard said I lost today.
But what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found.
Over the last 21 years, I've found loyalty.
You've pulled for me on the court and also in life.
I've found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed.
Sometimes even in my lowest moment.
I've found generosity. You've given me your shoulders to stand on...
To reach for my dreams. Dreams I could never be reach without you.
Over the last 21 years, I've found you.
And I will take you and the memory of you with me....
For the rest of my life. Thank you.

─Andre Agassi

就在September 3, 2006，美國一代名將Andre Agassi以5-7, 7-6, 4-6, 5-7輸給了來自德國的好手B.Becker。這一場比賽的落敗代表的不只是無緣晉級US open的最後16強比賽，也代表著Andre網球職業生涯的結束。在比賽結束的那一刻，Ashe全場的觀眾都起立為這位一代傳奇鼓掌、而在隔壁球場觀賞Safin vs. Nalbandian比賽的觀眾，在聽到Ashe球場傳來的掌聲，也全場起立鼓掌歡呼。


我其實跟很多人一樣，比較喜愛的是打法更優雅的Pete Sampras（不過我卻沒迷上很接近他打法的Federer）。2002年US open的冠軍賽即是Sampras vs. Agassi、而Pete也順利拿下冠軍，為他傳奇的一生劃下完美的句點。4年後的今天，Agassi不如Sampras如此的幸運，能夠在職業生涯結束的最後一刻拿下大滿貫的冠軍獎盃，由於該死的衛視體育台沒有轉播這場比賽，所以我無緣Live看到比賽的過程、但是唸著他在賽後對球迷所說的感言，我的眼眶也不禁泛紅。

對許多老球迷來說，Agassi的退休等於是過去那一個黃金世代的結束，雖然我並沒有完全親臨這樣一個時期，卻也有著相同的感覺。我人生中的第一場網球比賽便是Andre以光頭造型在99年法網復出的冠軍決賽，當時Agassi在兩盤落後的情況下創造了奇蹟連下三盤，最後贏得了法網的冠軍。當時Agassi底線強力的打法就對我造成不小的震撼（不過最後還是被Sampras的上網打法吸引走了:P），後來去學網球的時候，也會在底線抽球的時候自我投射到Agassi的背影身上。

Andre, thank you for the memories you gave us, thank you for your passion, which also give us the same feeling when watching your game, thank you for everything!!!

Goodbye Andre!! We will always love you.