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By
Brad Falkner
Off the court, Andre Agassi is that solid everyman, the type
of guy you share a beer with at the bar. But once he steps
between the lines of a tennis court, he starts to resemble
an action superhero, the kind of guy like GI Joe, Superman
and Stretch Armstrong that only comes in shrink-wrapped packages.
In April, at the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston,
the 33-year-old Agassi did his best rendition of transforming
from Clark Kent to Superman as he became the oldest player
in history to become No. 1 in the world. The move to the top
ranking was secured with a swift 6-4, 6-1 semifinal victory
over Jurgen Melzer of Austria, but his actual appointment
at the top would not take effect until the Monday morning
following the tournament.
“It's a bit overwhelming to have it all come together
at one moment,” said Agassi, as he was about to embark
on his 88th overall week as top dog and his first week at
No. 1 since September 2000. “It starts to sink in earlier
and earlier the older you get, you are sort of more aware
of the fewer opportunities; you’re surely more appreciative
of the accomplishments.”
To cap his already amazing week, Agassi went on to secure
his fourth title of the year with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 final victory
over two-time defending champion Andy Roddick, 13 years his
junior. Although Roddick might have youth on his side,
he's yet to be able to make that advantage work for him against
Agassi— the first set of the Houston final was the first
set he’s ever won off of Agassi in four matches played.
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