Andre Agassi's accomplishments on the court -- eight grand slam titles; 60 singles championships overall; an Olympic gold medal; No. 1 in the world for the first time by age 25 -- have earned the Las Vegas native a place in the pantheon of all-time tennis greats.
But his ultimate legacy may indeed be off the court.
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Over the years, Mr. Agassi's philanthropy has touched thousands of local children. During the past decade, his annual Grand Slam for Children gala has raised more than $52 million for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. This year's fundraiser took place Saturday night.
And then there's the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. A charter school located near Martin Luther King Jr. and Lake Mead boulevards, it was one of only five Nevada campuses to earn an "exemplary" designation under the No Child Left Behind Act last year -- despite enrolling many at-risk children.
The six-year-old school, which has about 540 students, added a 10th grade class this fall. It will add 11th- and 12th-grade classes over the next two years.
New Principal Caesar Mickens says his goal is to have 100 percent of his students go on to college.
Mr. Agassi retired from competitive tennis after the U.S. Open last month and said last week he'll be dedicating more time to the academy. "Now that I'm not playing anymore," he said, "it gives me more of a chance to give all of myself to the school, and to be able to enjoy it."
Tennis fans will no doubt miss watching Mr. Agassi's rocket service returns and precise groundstrokes. But his unwavering generosity to the children of Las Vegas -- and his deep commitment to the community in which he was raised and lives -- ensure that his best years are likely in front of him.
