Andre Agassi spoke to reporters after being honored at the US Open on Monday night. He was asked about Roger Federer, who, like Andre, completed a career Slam.
Agassi raises some interesting questions: Was it really necessary to Federer’s legacy to break Pete’s record of 14 Majors? Did Federer need the French Open to become GOAT?
Q. Ten years after yourself, Roger finally managed to have a career Grand Slam and won Wimbledon and Roland Garros back to back. What are your thoughts?
ANDRE AGASSI: It was just a pleasure to watch. It would have been a crime had he not ever won in Paris. He’s been the second best clay courter for five years running. He should have won four or five French Opens, if it wasn’t for one sort of freakish kid from Mallorca.
You know, it took that. He would have won possibly two Grand Slams, all four in the same year, two years in a row. What he’s done in separating himself from the game should be recognized. And the problem is, is it wasn’t being recognized, if, A, he didn’t win Paris. I thought once he did the discussion’s over with. Or, two, what started to become even more frustrating as I looked at Roger’s career for Roger is him having to win the 15th to somehow conclude.
Because, you know, there’s been so many examples of historians who will tell you Bud, you’ve seen for it years, there are champions that skipped Grand Slams because they wanted to win the one that they didn’t win. Borg quit at 26 with 11 Grand Slams and played the Australian Open only one time. Nobody ever considered Emerson better than Laver, even though Laver had less slams than Emerson. It was never a barometer for a player’s career.
So for him just to remove that as some sort of possible thorn I think is right.
From a fan’s point of view, I think these accomplishments do matter. We like to use numbers to prove our heroes’ supreme – seeing Federer’s name over Pete’s makes everything official. But a fellow legend and champion like Andre Agassi doesn’t need record books to recognize greatness. He just knows it when he sees it.
Tags: Andre Agassi, Federer, tennis, US Open
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Andre is a the legend himself. he knows what he’s talking about whole heartedly
Rationally, I agree – I didn't think Federer needed the French Open to be GOAT. But you know there's an irrational part of you that just wants to tick off boxes. Write lists and then waste time by crossing each line off painstakingly.
That's how I felt about the French Open. It's easier for Andre to say – he's got it all!
In order for RF to be mentioned in GOAT conversation, Roland Garros title was not obligatory. But to end that conversation conclusively, completing the career slam was essential, as was winning Major title number 15. He has achieved it all and left no doubt. That's why i call him His Royal GOATness.
That's what I love about Andre–that astuteness. He hit the nail directly on the head. It's awesome that Roger won the French and we all knew that even he considered it a monkey on his back, but if he hadn't won, he would still be in the running for GOAT.
Others have made valid points though, that it's important for us to have criteria and boxes to tick off to measure greatness. Federer done his job.
"He should have won four or five French Opens, if it wasn’t for one sort of freakish kid from Mallorca" what was that? He's right in all he says but seriously, you have to give credit to Nadal. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe even Federer said once that Nadal forces you to become a better player!
That was supposed to be a compliment. He's saying Nadal is a freak of nature, because he's in a league of his own when it comes to clay.
i love how wise and thoughtful andre is. he is the man! fed was already GOAT given his unbelievable records that blow past his predecessors, the dominance and consistency- consecutive weeks at #1, 21 slam semis or better, 10 slam finals in a row (now another 6 in a row, damn you mono!), 16 of the last 17 finals, winning 3 of the 4 slams more than once and andre makes an excellent point- were it not for probably the greatest clay court player ever, rog would probably have a grand slam already! he also played so much better at the FO than pete ever did. he has the most complete game of any player ever, no weaknesses and so much grace. now rog really has it all and will keep breaking records. the best thing is, he loves the sport so much, he's going to keep going. i love that we live in his era!
That's really nice of Andre. It was just destiny that he handed the trophy to Roger. What a great moment I'll never forget!