Andre Agassi was inducted into the U.S. Open Court of Champions Sunday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The Court of Champions celebrates the legacy of former Open winners, and Agassi joins the likes of Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, in the list of former players who have received the recognition.
"In all the years that I watched Andre Agassi play, I thought that he's the kind of person who might do more when he's done with his sport than what he's already done on the court," said Patrick McEnroe, general manager of USTA Player Development. "Andre was a champion and a leader to so many of the young Americans coming up when they were first on tour."
Andy Roddick, who retired from tennis after his loss to Juan Martin Del Potro in the fourth round of the U.S. Open, paid tribute Agassi. "He had such a big impact on my life when I was a kid," Roddick said. "Everyone wanted to be like him.
"He had an entire generation of kids wearing jean shorts and pink tights. I was lucky to be able to tag along with Andre early in my career, either as a practice partner or playing against him in exhibitions.
"Watching him go into rooms and shake everyone's hand and look them in the eye, he gave everyone the kind of undivided attention you don't often see from professional athletes."
Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam winner, has won the U.S. Open twice - in 1994 as an unseeded player, and then in 1999, when he beat fellow American Todd Martin.
"This is the only Grand Slam in my career that I've never missed," Agassi said. "The reason, quite honestly, is you...when people ask me if I miss the U.S. Open, I don't hesitate.
"I miss your sounds. I miss your silence. I miss giving you everything I had and a little bit more. Thank you for giving me everything you've had for 21 years and a little bit more."
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