FROM THE ARCHIVES

Houdini: Agassi grabs some magic at 1999 Roland Garros
A look back at his French Open victory

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA

Agassi pumps his fist in 2002, three years after conquering Paris.

FROM ROLAND GARROS – Just who does he think he is, this Andre Agassi, this rock-star/tennis folk hero who for the past three and a half years has dashed more hopes than Clark Gable? He is splendid one day, horrific the next. One moment he's Pete Sampras' greatest rival, the next he's snack food for Vince Spadea. He's committed, he's not; he's in shape, he's out of shape; he's focused, he unfocused; he's stinks, he great, he's … Andre.

"Andre's got the most God-given talent I've ever seen," said his longtime coach, Brad Gilbert. "From the depths of nowhere Houdini's got nothing on him. Sometimes you expect the most from him and he gives you the least. Sometimes when you think that there's no way he could show you this again, he can reach back and grab some magic."

Staging another comeback that places him among the pantheon of greats, Agassi became the first man in history to win a Grand Slam on four different surfaces when he arose from the dead and overcame Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to claim the title. In winning his first major on clay, Agassi joined legends Rod Laver, Don Budge, Roy Emerson and Fred Perry as the only men to win all four majors. "Andre has a right to make the argument that he's a greater player than Sampras now by winning all the Grand Slams," Medvedev said. "He knew that by winning that match, he's writing the history books."

In a knock-down, drag-out fifth set that saw the 6-foot-4 Ukrainian fight off three match points, Agassi closed out the contest with three straight wicked slice serve winners. The ever emotional 29-year-old then threw his hands to the sky, buried his face in his hands and cried tears of joy for a good five minutes. Agassi confided, "This is the greatest feeling that I've ever had on a tennis court. I never dreamed I see this moment again."

Nor did the rest of the universe. Agassi hadn't won a Super-Nine title in nearly three years, much less seriously competed deep in the second week of a Slam. He was recently divorced, had nearly opted for shoulder surgery and played only a couple clay court events prior to the French. So in the second round, Agassi was on the ropes against flashy young Frenchman Arnuad Clement, down two sets and two points away from another ignominious exit. "You need to have a little luck," said Agassi, who would win in five. "I was serving 4-5, love-30 against Clement and that's pretty close to an exit. I've had some good things happen."

STRENGTH ALL OVER
But it was much more than luck for Agassi, who showed incredible heart as well as a brutal, physical style that wore down all in his path. Plus he talked tough. "I don't think I could be a punching bag for five sets against anybody," he said. The executioner was reborn. Down a set and two breaks, Agassi came roaring back and kicked defending champ Carlos Moya off the court, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-1 in his most impressive Slam performance since he won the '95 Aussie Open over Sampras. Agassi said he has learned this year to save his strength for the Slams. "One of my obstacles is to step up in the biggest of situations with a sense of urgency. But I'm also aware that you can only accomplish your best if you relax and allow yourself to play."

Agassi could have slept through his quarterfinal opponent, Uruguay's Marcelo Filippini, but decided instead to play with the ferocity and consistency and destroyed him 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 in 72 minutes. "It's a tremendous feeling being out there," said Agassi. "It's so special to share my experiences with the crowd -- I have a special bond with them. Now that they can see I'm competing, they're with me. It's like a dream come true to be in the semis. But I deserve it and so do the fans."

Did Agassi deserve young Slovak Dominik Hrbaty in the semis, or did he deserve a greater test against No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov or No. 9 Marcelo Rios, both of whom fell victim to the 21-year-old sweet swinger? Moreover, did he deserve an overnight rain break with Hrbaty on a roll early in the fourth set? Maybe not, but since a rain break killed him against Courier in the '91 final, let's allow him a gift. After all, even in his down years, he was the sport's most charismatic personality. And yes, the next day, Agassi regained his focus to win 6-4, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4.

But before he faced Medvedev, he had to face the big question: was his renewed commitment a result of his split with Brooke Shields. Not really, said Andre. Well, maybe a bit. "I would hate to give the impression that the beautiful years I shared with Brooke somehow interfered with my tennis," he said. "We constantly make choices in life. The choice I made was a very important personal decision. But the one that I made with my tennis was also a very calculated, specific decision. That's to continue maximizing the things I can accomplish."

Agassi's final round opponent is one of tour's most delightful and introspective characters. Medvedev entered Roland Garros ranked No. 100 and hadn't won a tournament in two years. Tagged as a sure-fire top-five player after he reached the Roland Garros semis in '93 as an 18-year-old, the Ukrainian hadn't lived up to his potential over the past six years, hobbled by injuries and emotional problems. But before the tournament, Medvedev had finally gotten himself into shape and rediscovered his passion. In the second round, Medvedev used his relentless, thumping attack to dismiss No. 2 Pete Sampras. "Beating Pete, it doesn't matter if it's on clay or mud or water," Medvedev said. "You beat him in backgammon, you feel good. Beating him at a Grand Slam was an unbelievable lift."

DEFEATS SAMPRAS
Beating Sampras on clay is one thing (hell, Juan Antonio Marin almost did), but upsetting the hottest dirtballer on earth, Gustavo Kuerten is another. Then despite too little sleep and serious cramps, Medvedev won a spectacular 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 semifinal victory over Brazilian Fernando Meligeni and was so happy that he conducted possibly the longest press conference in the Open era. "I missed you guys. I love talking to you guys," he told the suddenly sweet, cuddly media, adding, "I can't explain it. Really, it's a minor miracle. On the other hand, it doesn't fall from the sky. All I thought out there was to fight like a dog and that's what I did. If I died on court, I wouldn't care. If my heart would stop on the court, then I would be proud that I am dead this way."

One person who wouldn't have been pleased with his untimely demise would have been former WTA top-10er Anke Huber, who Andrei credited with much of his revival. "I'm born again, a second life," said Medvedev. "I don't think anybody on earth is happier than me right now."

Sounding like a glassy-eyed journalism professor, Medvedev added that now that he is back with Huber, he can stroke his violin on court again. "When there is love, you're inspired, you can write poems, you can write music, you can play good tennis, you can write good articles. When you're not happy, you write something like 'He hit a good forehand, he hit a good backhand, the score was this, bye."

Huber flew in from Germany for the semis, looking sharp in black leather and designer sunglasses and she jumped for joy after her boyfriend's triumph. Paris in the springtime brought more songs from Medvedev. "If you saw that Anke was here, that felt great," he said. "Even if I lost today, I would still be the happiest man on earth. Tennis is one thing but there is something else much more important. You cannot compare love and the job. I love my job, but I am also in love with [Anke]. Even if I lost today or something goes bad in the final, nothing will happen. I don't think Anke will leave me because I lost."

Anke was back for the final and Medvedev came out whistling in the first two sets, destroying Agassi's weak second serves and ripping down-the-line winners. Mixing a flat serve down the middle with high kicks and heavy slices, Medvedev had the veteran backed up well past the baseline.

Fred Mullane/ Camerawork USA

At 4-4 in the third set, Agassi double-faulted to give Medvedev a break point and visions of his horrible losses to Courier and Gomez in the '90 and '91 finals began to flood into his head. "I was in shock and embarrassed and real disappointed that the final was potentially a blowout," Agassi confided. "I was trying to stay alive and hoping that something good could happen. It's never easy closing out a championship, so in the back of my mind, I left room for the possibility that his nerves could kick in, while I could step up my level and sneak the third. I'm still a long way from winning, but at least I felt I could turn it into a battle."

Agassi responded with a seeing-eye backhand down-the-line and a drop volley winner. He then took Gilbert's advice and began to work the points. Medvedev's confidence sunk into the soft clay, as Agassi easily held and then broke the Ukrainian at love to win the set.

Down 3-5 in the fifth, Medvedev bravely fought off the three match points in a long, knuckle-whitening game. But determined to meet what he later called his "destiny," Agassi stepped it up, confusing Medvedev with his variety of serves and easily holding to win the match. Afterwards, Agassi was comfortably numb. "[Winning Roland Garros] has been a big obstacle for me, psychologically and emotionally, this being the last of the Slams I haven't won, me being ranked No. 140 a couple years ago, believing if I just tried hard enough, some good things would be still waiting for me," Agassi said. "There are so many reasons I have to be overwhelmed. I couldn't put words to it. I don't know if I'll ever put words to it."

But then again, Houdini never put words to it, either.