Farewell Andre
(Greenday - Time of Your Life)

If you're a sports fan, the one thing you hope to see in your lifetime is an athlete that pushes the sport to another level; an athlete that transcends his own sport and inspires all those that watch. I've been watching sports for 20+ years and I've been blessed to see the likes of Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Tiger Woods and Pete Sampras. Some of these athletes are still playing but most of them have retired and moved onto the next phase of their lives. Last week another one of these great athletes retired. Andre Agassi played his last tennis match on Sept 3rd at the US Open.

He came into the tennis tour in 1986 as a rebel. He pushed the boundaries of tennis’ strict sartorial boundaries with his colourful outfits, long rocker hair and an earring. Paving the way for the unique outfits you see on the tennis tour today. After winning several grand slams in the 90’s, he had a serious wrist injury in 1997 and had to rededicate his life to tennis. Working harder than he ever did before and becoming a role model for all the younger tennis players, he became the #1 ranked player in the world and won several more grand slam titles for a total of 8 in his career. This was his speech after his final match at the US Open this year.

The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found.

And over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life.

I've found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed sometimes even in my lowest moments.

And I've found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could have never reached without you.

Over the last 21 years, I have found you. And I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life.

One of the most humble and genuine speeches I’ve ever heard from an athlete and Andre’s presence in the sport will be dearly missed.

And as one tennis great retires, another one is making his mark in tennis history. Arguably the best player ever, Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick yesterday to win his 9th grand slam tournament. He needs 5 more to tie Pete Sampras’ record of 14. Roger beat Andy decisively in 4 sets, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. The match statistics showed that Roger hit 69 quadrillion winners to Andy’s 33. And although, Andy is known to have the bigger serve, Roger out aced him 17 bazillion to 7. And fittingly, Roger had another dominant athlete in his guest box.

Some guy by the name of Tiger Woods.

If you’re not a sports fan yet, this is a great time to start watching. Tiger and Roger are rewriting the record books as we speak and when they’re done, they will have left an unquestionable mark in their respective sports.