Agassi’s ‘wonderful speech’ scores with family, friends

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Andre Agassi managed to hold his emotions in check during his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday.

His family and friends weren't as unflappable.

Agassi's words moved some of them to tears, and those who didn't cry fought back the urge.

"It was a wonderful speech," said his father, Mike. "I was so proud of him. It was a great day.

"I always believed this day would come. From when he was a little boy, I told him that one day he would be here (in the Hall). It was everything a father could want, seeing this day."

His mother, Betty, said of the honor her son received: "It doesn't happen every day. It was beautiful."

Members of the Agassi entourage -- which in addition to his parents included his wife and fellow Hall of Famer, Steffi Graf; their children, son Jaden, 9, and daughter Jaz, 7; Agassi's older brother, Phil; strength and conditioning coach Gil Reyes; and coaches Brad Gilbert, Darren Cahill and Nick Bollettieri -- were subjects of affection during the 20-minute speech.

Afterward, several expressed appreciation at being able to play roles in Agassi's journey to the Hall of Fame.

"It's never been about me," Phil Agassi said. "To do something you love for someone you love, it's such a blessing.

"It's the pinnacle of things from a tennis perspective, but he doesn't need to be in the Hall of Fame for me to be proud of him."

Reyes, who has been like a big brother to Agassi during their partnership of more than 20 years, said: "As I was listening to the speech, I thought about all the years I always hoped he would be the player and person who would one day get to this point. And for him to reach this particular point in his life, I'm not sure I can describe my feelings. I'm still overwhelmed. When he talked about the long road back and winning the French Open in '99, I broke down and I started to cry.

"There were many times there was this sense of being outside, not knowing if he was good for the game. But you saw today what he meant to tennis."

Gilbert admitted it was hard to keep his emotions in check.

"It's so satisfying to see Andre take his rightful place among the game's greatest," said Gilbert, who coached Agassi for eight years and helped him regain the No. 1 world ranking in 1999 after Agassi had free-fallen to No. 141 in 1997. "I thought right away he would start bawling, but he held it together. And I was able to do the same thing. But it wasn't easy.

"We had a great journey, and I'm just happy to have been a small part of it."

One of Saturday's nicest moments came late in the program when Agassi presented Graf, a 2004 inductee, with her Hall of Fame ring. They shared a hug and kiss as the sellout crowd of 3,710 stood and applauded.

Graf didn't stay for the post-ceremony festivities or speak to reporters, instead returning to the hotel with her children. Missing from the celebration were Agassi's sisters, Rita and Tami. No explanation was given for their absence.

But virtually everyone else who is part of Agassi's life was in attendance.

As he was leaving the ceremony, Mike Agassi said of his son, "For a guy with an eighth-grade education, he speaks better than guys with Ph.Ds."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: at stevecarprj.