Andre Agassi took time to bare his soul to his loved one in a series of letters to notables in his life and gave people credit for his successful career after being inducted to the Hall of Fame on July 9, 2011.
Whether you love him or hate him, these will move you.
He said, "Each of them deserves a separate Hall of Fame speech. But of course, there isn’t time. So, I’ve written a letter to each of them. Intimate letters. Love letters. But, they’re not private. I want the world to know how I feel. So, I’m putting them on my Foundation’s website, where I hope they’ll serve as a permanent public tribute to those who made this day a reality."
I chose some of my favorite quotes from
his speech in Newport, even though it seems every line was inspiriational and honest:
"Dad — when I was five you TOLD me to win Wimbledon. When I was seven you TOLD me to win all four slams. More times than I can remember you TOLD me to get into the hall of fame. And when I was twenty-nine you TOLD me to marry Steffi Graf. The BEST order you ever gave me. So Dad — please don’t ever stop telling me what to do."
"Tennis teaches you that there’s no such thing as perfect. You want to be perfect. You hope to be perfect.
Then you’re out there and you’re far less than perfect. And you realize: I don’t have to be perfect today. I just have to be better than one person."
His letter to
Steffi Graf could make any woman's heart swoon. Is this how it is to be loved by Agassi? :)
"...I don't know how you do what you do, but I rely on it like the air I breathe. I not only need to be with you, I want to be more like you..."
Despite some of the harsh things he wrote about
his father in his biography, he came back to outline his appreciation.
"...I saw many sides of you growing up, but I know they all came from a place of just wanting the best for me and our whole family..."
Additionally he wrote to his
mom,
"...In my Hall Of Fame speech, I celebrated those who always do the right thing quietly, with no applause; those who shine in secret. The unsung heroes. I don't have to look very far to find my unsung hero, I love you Mom..."
his brother
Phil,
"...I don't know how you put so many of your dreams aside to make sure mine became reality..."
his trainer and son's namesake
Gil Reyes,
"...If he grows up to be half the man you are, I will be eternally happy..."
Nick Bollettieri,
"The International Tennis Hall Of Fame will not be complete until you are there alongside all of the champions that you gave to the world; a recognition that you have earned and that you so deserve."
Brad Gilbert,
"..You taught me how to win from within and to think for myself..."
Darren Cahill
"I'm convinced that your combination of intelligence and care added years to my career."
and more
Click the links to read the full letters