Lorraine & I were particularily moved by Andre Agassi's final tennis match yesterday. We were hoping he would somehow manage to pull through but his ailing body wouldn't let him. We sat there in silence as Benjamin Becker rifled a 133-mph ace right down the middle T, Agassi painfully but graciously running up to the net to shake his hand, and the wonderful applause the 24,000 at Arthur Ashe stadium bestowed upon him. After several rousing ovations, a tearful Agassi got up and addressed the sold-out crowd.
"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. And over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty. You have 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 moments. And I've found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could have never reached without you. Over the last 21 years, I have found you and I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life. Thank you."
Sure, it's not quite Lou Gehrig, but in this day and age of egocentric athletes, it was refreshing to witness something so thoughtful. Thank you Andre.
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