Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and family on vacation

After attended the Wimbledon on the Fourth of July, the First Couple of Tennis Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf were spotted having a vacation with their family in Italy.

(Images via Sina Sports)

Andre Agassi bids farewell to hair piece on David Letterman show

Andre Agassi appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" last week to promote his memoir, Open.

Agassi began by joking about his crystal meth use in the past: "That was actually a typo in the book. I said I did math in 1997."

Alright, Agassi, that wasn't funny at all.

The highlight of the show was when his faux hair was brought out.

I'm not sure if it's just me. I don't find it funny either. Perhaps this is the last time I'm going to blog about Agassi and his book.

Marat Safin: Andre Agassi should return titles & money

In an interview with L'Equipe, Marat Safin openly criticised Andre Agassi and suggested that he should give back his tennis titles after confessing he tested positive for a banned substance during his career and lied about it to the ATP.

Agassi admitted in his autobiography "Open" that he used crystal meth in 1997 and failed a drug test, a result he says was thrown out after he lied by saying he "unwittingly" took the substance.

"I'm not defending the ATP, but what he said put it in a delicate position," Safin said.

"The ATP allowed him to win a lot of tournaments, a lot of money. It kept his secret. Why does he need to be so cruel with it?"

"If he is as fair play as he says he is, he has to go to the end," Safin said.

"You know, the ATP has a bank account and he can give the money back if he wants."

Safin, who will retire after this week's Paris Masters, said he doesn't have any intention to write his own autobiography when his career will be over.

"Me, I don't need money," he said.

"The question is: Why did he do this? What is done is done. Does he hope to sell more books? It's absolutely stupid."

(Via AP)

Read Andre Agassi like an "Open" book

Let's give credit to the cover designer - the messed-up look helps sell the book.

Honestly, I haven't get hold of Andre Agassi's latest controversial memoir "Open: An Autobiography" yet, but anyone would know this is a book you don't want to miss whether you're a tennis fan or not.

Here are some of the interesting facts that you can find in that autobiography:

On Substance Abuse: Agassi recounts how, when he was a kid, his father would give him Excedrin before matches because it contained caffeine.

Agassi also writes how his father gave him what Agassi believes to be speed. At various points of the book he also mentioned about using marijuana and alcohol.

Agassi called crystal meth "a performance inhibitor" and said, "Everything I earned on the tennis court, I actually had to probably earn more than I needed to, because of many of the things I did to myself."

Agassi however denied he ever took performance-enhancing substances as a professional.

On Pete Sampras: Agassi says Sampras "sounds more robotic than" a parrot. At his depths, Agassi thinks: "I envy Pete's dullness. I wish I could emulate his spectacular lack of inspiration, and his peculiar lack of need for inspiration." Agassi tells of betting coach Brad Gilbert about how much Sampras tipped a parking valet; they ask the valet, who says $1; Agassi's conclusion: "We could not be more different, Pete and I."

On Michael Chang: "He thanks God - credits God - for the win, which offends me. That God should take sides in a tennis match, that God should side against me, that God should be in Chang's box, feels ludicrous and insulting. I beat Chang and savor every blasphemous stroke." When Chang wins the 1989 French Open, Agassi thinks, "I feel sickened. How could Chang, of all people, have won a slam before me?"

On other opponents: Agassi writes about holding grudges against Becker (who Agassi says blew kisses at Shields during a match), Jim Courier, Thomas Muster, Yevgeni Kafelnikov, Jeff Tarango (who Agassi says cheated during a match between them when Agassi was 8).

On "tanking": Agassi says he lost on purpose against Chang in the Australian Open semifinals one year so he wouldn't have to face Becker in the final, writing: "It's almost harder than winning. You have to lose in such a way that the crowd can't tell." He also says of sports writers: "They never get it right. When I tank, they say I'm not good enough; when I'm not good enough, they say I tank."

On his fake hair: Of the 1990 French Open final, Agassi writes, "Warming up before the match, I pray. Not for a win, but for my hairpiece to stay on."

On the 1999 French Open final, which he won to complete a career Grand Slam: "I've already obsessed about this tournament for the last 10 years. I can't bear the idea of obsessing about it for another eighty. ... If I don't win this thing right now, I'll never be happy, truly happy, again."

To purchase the book, you can order from Amazon (click on the link below) or go to your nearest book store.

(Via AP)

Great entertainment at The Venetian Macao exhibition

I seldom blog about tennis exhibition (unless it's local) but I thought The Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown deserved a mention.

Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Yuki Bhambri and Ryan Harrison were in Macau, the former Portuguese colony for the weekend to provide some good tennis entertainment.

Aaron Kwok was starstrucked! I can't stand his 'thumbs up' gestures LOL!

I didn't watch the entire show on Astro SuperSport CH816, but managed to spot some famous Hong Kong celebrities including Aaron Kwok (the coin tosser :D), Eason Chan and Sam Lee.

Even Coco Lee was there twittering from the front row seat.

In the highlight of the event, Sampras defeated Agassi in three sets as the two retired American tennis greats revisited as one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.

This is the first time the two had played since Sampras won in the 2002 US Open final for his then-record 14th Grand Slam.

There were other entertainment that evening including a drum solo (bucket beats by a street drummer?) and mime show.

Match Results:
Yuki Bhambri (IND) def. Ryan Harrison (USA) 5-5
Pete Sampras (USA) def. Andre Agassi (USA) 3-6 6-3 10-8
P. Sampras (USA) & Y. Bhambri (IND) def. A. Agassi (USA) & R. Harrison (USA) 7-5

(Images via Reuters, sports.sina.com.cn)

US Open officially kicks off in Flushing Meadows

As usual, I don't get to watch the Opening Night of the US Open due to time zone difference.

This year, a diverse line-up of celebrities attended the event at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Andre Agassi's trademark gesture

Andre Agassi who gave a speech on education policy, lead the full force of athletes who were honoured for their active participation in charities and giving back.

NFL star Doug Flutie, NBA star David Robinson and soccer star Mia Hamm

They included soccer superstar Mia Hamm, former NBA champion David Robinson and former NFL star Doug Flutie.

Rob Thomas performing at the Opening Night... odd choice but at least it's not Nick Lachey

Performing at the Opening Night were Rob Thomas, who sang “America the Beautiful" and the O’Jays, “Love Train.”

Other celebrities who attended this event were Christie Brinkley, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, etc.

The night wouldn't be complete without fireworks that blasted into the a night sky accented with gold glitter to mark the opening of the season ending Grand Slam.

(Images via US Open official website)

TENNIS WATCH: Kid's Day, Minar denies doping, Agassi opens up, Srichaphan's adult product

James Blake and Mardy Fish attended Kid's Day at the Pilot Pen tennis tournament in New Haven yesterday.

Blake, however chose not to enter the tournament in order to prepare for the US Open.

*******

Czech tennis player Ivo Minar was tested positive for a banned substance after a Davis Cup quarterfinal victory over Argentine on July 10-12.

Minar was said to have taken an unspecified supplement that apparently contained a derivative of the banned stimulant pseudoephedrine.

Currently ranked at no. 66, he denied he had never 'consciously' taken a banned substance.

*******

Andre Agassi’s autobiography, OPEN, is heading to book stores in November.

In the book, Agassi discusses his start in tennis as a child, his relationship with his father and his failed marriage to Brooke Shields.

*******

Is Paradorn Srichaphan selling adult product?

According to Srichaphan, he hoped his latest business, a herbal-product company called Magic Thaiherbs, will not tarnish his image as a national hero.

"Unlike Viagra, my product is more like a tonic which is good for men's bodies. When men are happy and healthy, they make married life better,'' said the former Thai no.1.

Yuki Bhambri & Ryan Harrison to play with tennis legends in Macao

Looks like tennis exhibition match has becoming a tradition and yearly event for IMG in Asia.

For the third consecutive year, the people in Macao get to meet tennis stars of yesteryear as well as the current ones.

This time the Venetian® Macao Tennis Showdown will see the appearance of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras as well as rising stars Yuki Bhambri and Ryan Harrison.

I'm not kidding.

Yuki and Ryan will be making their way to Macao this October.

The fearsome and intense rivalry between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras will be renewed at the 15,000 seat CotaiArena in their first clash in seven years.

Returning to Macao for the second time, Pete commented, “I enjoyed my visit to The Venetian® Macao tremendously in 2007 so it was an easy decision to accept the invitation to return to The Venetian Macao and to renew the great rivalry with Andre.”

The popular Agassi said, “I have followed The Venetian® Macao events featuring Roger, Pete, John, and Bjorn so when the opportunity arose to be part of The Venetian® Macao Tennis Showdown 2009 that would include Pete as well as two of the top juniors in the world, I was excited to join such an illustrious roster of top tennis names.”

The highly anticipated match-up between Sampras and Agassi will be preceded by a 45-minute timed singles match between two of the finest juniors in world tennis.

Indian rising star and ITF Junior World no.1 Yuki Bhambri will face Ryan Harrison, an American prodigy and one of two brothers scaling the junior heights.

Both train at the famous IMG Bolletieri Sports Academy in Florida where Agassi trained as a junior.

The third match of The Venetian® Macao Tennis Showdown will feature Pete and either Bhambri or Harrison against Andre and Harrison or Bhambri, with the pairings decided by draw at the Meet-the-Players Press Conference on October 24th.

The one-day extravaganza will kick off at 2:00 p.m. on the long weekend of Sunday, October 25th.

Yuki commented, “To play with Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras is of course a dream for any aspiring tennis player. To play with both is simply amazing. To do it in front of 15,000 people is beyond description. To say I am excited, is an understatement.”

His opponent Ryan said, “To travel to Macao to participate in an event featuring two of the greatest American players of all time is a huge privilege and an honour, and extremely motivating to me to train and improve, in the hope that I may one day achieve a few of the things that they have achieved.”

Executive Match Director, Nick Freyer, Senior Vice President, IMG, Head of Tennis, Asia, concluded, “Continuing the fine tradition of world class tennis, with the confirmation that Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras will be coming to Macao in October is an enormous pleasure, and I would like to thank The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel for their continued support in allowing history to be made.”

“History, I hope, that will bring joy and smiles to the 15,000 people we think will attend, but also to the millions who will be able to watch on television.”

The Showdown will once again feature an online charity auction, which will offer prized personal items from both players and experiences such as the on-court coin toss, with proceeds being divided between the Andre Agassi Foundation, Sampras’ Aces for Charity Program and Make-A-Wish HK/Macau.

Tickets is available for sale today (Friday, May 22nd at 10 a.m) and can either be reserved online at www.cotaiticketing.com or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) and +852 6333 6660 (Hong Kong), or in person at Sands Macao Lobby and CotaiArena™ Box Office.

Ticket prices have been set at MOP/HKD $980, $780, $480 and $280. Corporate Boxes are also available.

Fans can visit the event’s website at www.venetiantennisshowdown.com for further details of the event.

Wimbledon unveils Centre Court roof in grand opening

It was a perfect day to showcase the new retractable roof at Wimbledon's Center Court yesterday.

The roof was closed when it started to rain.

The event kicked off with the performance by British crossover opera singers Faryl Smith and Katherine Jenkins who sang “Amazing Grace” in the center of the court.

Katherine Jenkins with 13-year old Faryl Smith.

Katherine Jenkins making the O face.

Il Divo wannabe, Blake.

A crowd of 15,000 spectators were watching Andre Agassi, his wife Steffi Graf, Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters play mixed doubles and singles matches.

The players praised the new retractable roof.

“The conditions were really good,” Clijsters said.

“And I love the sound. Wimbledon already had that, where you feel like when (the crowd is) really into the match, the sound really comes down to the players."

“And now even more so with the roof. For the players, it just feels like they’re right there next to you.”

Agassi also said the closed surrounding will take the atmosphere to a new level.

“The sound was magnificent,” he said.

“I think when you get two people out there who can really play, and move and hit the ball, I think you’re going to feel a level of titanic battle that you haven’t seen yet. … That’s an environment that lends itself to some spectacular tennis.”

The roof was built to limit the frequent rain delays that occur at the Wimbledon Championships each season.

Steffi Graf should keep that at home.

The crowd was entertained by the husband and wife team, Graf, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, who returned to the Centre Court for the first time in 10 years, and Agassi who won his first Grand Slam title here in 1992.

The couple drew a large cheer by exchanging a good-luck kiss on the court before the doubles match.

Kim Clijsters can consider a career change to a footballer if tennis doesn't work for her anymore.

Everybody's a winner.

Henman and Clijsters won the one-set match 7-6 (6).

Agassi then beat Henman 6-4 in singles and Clijsters defeated Graf by the same score.

Andy Murray and girlfriend Kim Sears.

Andy Murray who attended the event with his girlfriend also praised the new structure.

“It’s beautiful,” said Andy Murray, who hopes to become the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon.

“It looks very nice, compared to most roofs.”

The roof takes about 10 minutes to close, and the Centre Court’s ventilation system then needs about 30 minutes to get moisture out of the air and create the right conditions.

During short rain showers, organizers still plan on using the traditional covers on the court to create shorter breaks. Once the roof is up, it will not open up until a match is over.

(Via AP, operachic; Images by Hamish Blair/Neal Simpson/AFP/Getty Images)

All-Star Tennis Smash: The Bryan twins following the lead of the altruistic Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi's philanthropic ways inspire Bob and Mike Bryan to establish their own foundation.

The 30-year-old twins held their inaugural charity event for their Bryan Brothers' Foundation on Saturday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks and got the man himself to headline.

Agassi made a rare appearance to help raise money for the foundation — in the All-Star Tennis Smash — which benefits at-risk kids in Ventura County — and was joined by American tennis stars James Blake, Robby Ginepri, Justin Gimelstob, Paul Goldstein and Lindsay Davenport.

"I have been privileged to lead a privileged life with this sport and my choice to give back and do what I decided to do was something I felt deeply for a long time," Agassi said.

"For others to be inspired by it is one thing. But the truth is, they are doing the hard hours every day. You can't just wake up and say this is what I want. You have to earn it every day, and these guys are doing it."

The Bryans knew from the moment they began planning their foundation they wanted Agassi to help kick it off.

"He knows we idolize him and still have his posters up in our garage and are the reason we have rackets in our hand," Mike Bryan said.

"Out of the goodness of his heart, he did this for us and really made this event happen. We'll never forget it. We are his slaves for life."

Agassi became the pioneer for charity in men's tennis when he established The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation and Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas.

"We know that if we band together and commit to support each other that is the best opportunity to affect change," said Gimelstob, who started the Justin Gimelstob Children's Fund in 1998.

"We have all been very loyal to each other and the Bryans do so much for so many people and are always the first to promote tennis, so for them to ask is a no-brainer. Just tell me where and when to be there."

Last year, Blake established the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund to help support cancer research.

The fund is named in memory of his father, who died of gastric cancer in 2004.

"If you have a voice, you might as well use it for a positive change," Blake said.

"That is the way we have all felt and I have been fortunate enough my parents instilled that in me and it seems like this generation has a great group of parents to lead them and teach them the right way to be a role model."

Ginepri remembers struggling to finance his tennis career while growing up in Georgia.

Once he turned professional, he began working with the Atlanta Youth Foundation for underprivileged kids.

"If you can give a kid a racket and reach out to them and help them pursue their dreams that is what matters," Ginepri said.

"We all realize that and will always be there to help each other's causes."

The giving nature even crosses over to the women's side, although it might not be as apparent, says Davenport.

"You probably don't see it as much because we don't have tons of Americans up there playing," she said.

"Obviously, the Williams sisters and I know Maria (Sharapova) has her own foundation, but there are not as many Americans doing so well at the top like the guys have to help each other out."

The Bryans raised $285,000 in pre-sale tickets alone for their event, and figured to raise much more through an auction.

After seeing the turnout at Sherwood, Bob Bryan knew he could rest easy at his Spanish Hills home.

"At 30 years old, it's not all about tennis," he said.

"It is about what helps you sleep at night and doing stuff like this makes you feel good because you know how many lives it will impact."

Updates:
Thanks to Adam for this extra piece of info and photos.

Later that evening, at a Gala Dinner, the brothers feted Agassi for his charitable endeavors in front of a star-studded audience of players and celebrities, including Maria Sharapova and Kaley Cuoco.

The evening began with an incredible auction featuring autographed tennis racquets, an evening with Bob and Mike Bryan, and a day with Maria Sharapova, and was capped off by performances from a host of musical guests, including acoustic singer/songwriters Evan and Jaron and a surprise performance by Columbia Records recording artist Brandi Carlile.

(Via venturacountystar.com, Image via zimbio.com)

Bryan Brothers’ host first charity event, All-Star Tennis Smash

Mike and Bob Bryan, hold the award they received from the City of Oxnard on
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, at Plaza Park in Oxnard.

After winning the US Open and bringing home the bronze in Beijing, Bob and Mike Bryan are set to host the first ever event for their new charity, The Bryan Brothers Foundation.

The Bryan Brothers’ All-Star Tennis Smash will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Sherwood Country Club.

The event will feature tennis stars and celebrities, including Andre Agassi, Gavin Rossdale, Lindsay Davenport, James Blake, Sam Querrey, John Isner, Thomas Blake, Justin Gimelstob, Corina Morariu, Jon Lovitz, Amaury Nolasco, Brandi Carlile and Mardy Fish.

The event is Agassi’s first scheduled public playing tennis appearance this year.

The All-Star Tennis Smash will benefit local and national charities including City Impact, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids in Ventura County.

Agassi, in a large part, is the reason why the Bryans have forged ahead with this effort.

"Andre really inspired them, as well as alot of American players, to give back," said Wayne Bryan, the players' father, after a ceremony Friday to honour the foundation.

"We've been trying for two years to get this going, and Sherwood's a great venue to kick it off," said Mike, who recently teamed with Fish on the U.S. doubles team in Spain during the Davis Cup semis.

Hopefully we'll see some of the photos from this event soon.

(Image by Tina Burch/dailynews.com)