In Search of Excellence

Andre Agassi retired after the 2006 US Open. He won his first 2 rounds and was eliminated in straight sets by a certain Mr. Becker (No.. not the Boris Becker). He played the first 2 rounds with a bad back. He took an injection before each match and won by stretching himself and his body to the maximum. He had decided that the 2006 US Open will be his last tournament.

I saw his last match. He was much focused, very professional and devoid of any emotions. That is until the match was over. He shook his opponents hand and tears stared flowing. He gave a very touching speech at the end of the match.

Everyone remembers the bratty, egoistic, self-centered, flashy young Andre Agassi at the beginning of his career. Looking at him play for the last few years with Steffi Graf and his kids watching him from the stands; you can’t but feel amazed at how much he has changed over the years.

He was able to last for so many years (he retired OLD considering the average Tennis careers) because of the sharp focus and the hard work he put in over the last few years. He lives near Las Vegas and there are many stories out there on how he used to run uphill and on how many hours he used to work out in the gym and on the practice court. These stories are truly inspirational.

But more than the runs, workouts, practice sessions and what not, the most notable aspect was his charity work, his humbleness, his maturity and his attitude. And it was very evident in his post-match interview. I have saved it as a reference for I read it every now and then as a pick-me-up.

So, here is the set up. Andre has just lost his 3′rd round match in 2006 US Open and has officially retired from professional tennis. He had a room packed with journalists for his post-match interview. I am going to quote from some interesting answers from this interview and write about the inspiration and teaching I get from them.

The interview is great to read from 2 perspectives:

1. Insights into Andre’s pursuit of excellence and his transformation to such a wonderful person over the years.
2. What does a truly great sportsman (or any great professional for that matter) feel at the end of their career?Here are some questions about his feelings at the end of his career…

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Q. How was it compared to what you imagined?
ANDRE AGASSI: I tried not to imagine too much. I didn’t know how much would be emotional, how much would be sort of disappointment or sadness or how much I would feel, in a sense, liberated. You know, I mean, I don’t know. I wasn’t sure what to anticipate.
I don’t think it was sadness. It was a beautiful feeling combined with a real excitement for the future.

Q. After all these comings and goings, this long journey, are you a man now that’s at peace? Have you left everything out there?
ANDRE AGASSI: I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few months knowing that this would be the end, this tournament. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it from many perspectives.
I look at young guys who are talented who make us aware of life’s endless cycle. I look at the life ahead of them, the journey ahead of them. It’s so evenly balanced between me seeing how many great things they have to look forward to, at the same time how much I wouldn’t do it again.
It feels like a balance that leaves me very clear and at peace.

Q. In what ways wouldn’t you do it again?
ANDRE AGASSI: Because I did it (laughter). Because I did it.  

Q. You seem quite happy that it’s over now. Is that true?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yes, it is. You know, it’s a transition. There’s been a feeling, like I expressed, of a bit of sadness saying good bye. I mean, the part that makes this so good over the years is the fact that it will come to an end, the fact that there is an end and a good bye makes you really take in what you get to share and experience. The pain of the good bye really lifts the joy of the experience. I’m very much at peace with that.

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Here are questions regarding his achievements. The important message is that he takes ‘pride’ in the applause from his peers and pushing himself to be better each day. He talks about the process and not the results. And he talks about getting better each day and not how many tournaments he won or the money he earned.

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Q. For 36 years you’ve known tennis. It’s been your life every single day. Can you tell us what the new challenge will be in your new life?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I don’t know. You know, I mean, it’s hard to say specifically how things will play out. I can say that it’s nice to sort of do things now without a sort of built in cost, whether that’s time with the foundation or whether that’s time out with your friends. It always comes with a cost. You’re not doing something. You need to be resting. You need to be training. You need to be going somewhere. Everything you do has come with a sacrifice; it’s come with a price tag, whether it’s physical or mental. You’ve always had to be somewhere and be thinking about being somewhere else.
I look forward to being wherever I am. 

Q. Is it special for you that not only the fans give you this respect and love, but all the other players, your competitors, give you this enormous respect?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, when I went into the locker room afterwards, they all were standing, applauding me. I tell you, you know, the greatest applause that any person will ever receive in their life is that which comes from their peers. It’s not like we’re a company who’s working together to accomplish something. We’re people that succeed, in some cases, at the demise of the other. To have them applaud you is the ultimate compliment.  

Q. You competed against many generations. How do you look back at these match ups against many champions?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I take pride in competing against so many great champions. It means a lot. It’s been a great experience over the years. I don’t know what to say, but it’s pushed me to be better. You can play a great career and you’re not guaranteed to play the best ever. I’ve hung around long enough to do that.  Q. You think a lot about the points in the matches that you’ve played, you recall a lot of that. When you step away from this Open and the game, what will you remember the most about the Open? The Baghdatis match? Today saying good bye? What stands out?
ANDRE AGASSI: It will be that applause, the applause from the fans, the applause from my peers. That was the greatest memories I’ve ever had, memories I’ll keep with me forever.

Q. If a 16 year old tennis prodigy at the US Open asked you for some words of wisdom, what would you tell him?
ANDRE AGASSI: What would I tell him? Just use every day as an opportunity to get better, not just on the court.

Q. Do you ever step back and stop feeling humble and say, I’m really proud of myself, I’ve done a lot, I’ve attained a lot of goals?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I don’t think my pride comes from the accomplishment. The pride comes from the striving, what’s in front of you, how you’re going to get through it, how you’re going to connect to it, care about it. I take pride in that. I take pride in people saying they’re going my peers telling me they’re going to miss me. I take pride in that. But I also aspire to live up to that.
You know, I can’t sort of take too much stock in it because I feel like you miss out on what’s happening right now. That’s the good stuff.

Q. During your speech, you said there were low points in your life. At one point you were ranked in the 140s. What was the source of motivation to make you come back? Seems like the fans attached themselves to you after that.
ANDRE AGASSI: My motivation was just wanting it to be on my terms. I didn’t know I would be able to get back to the top. I knew that I would try to get the most out of myself every day from that day forward. That was my commitment.
That never stopped. That’s probably something I take the most pride in.

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Question on ‘Legacy’.

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Q. How do you see your legacy to the sport of tennis? What would you like it to be?
ANDRE AGASSI: I don’t have an objectivity on that. Like I’ve answered this before, you know, it’s important for me to leave this game better off. I hope they’re better off for having me, because it’s me being much better off for having them. So that’s my hope. I don’t know what it is. Everybody needs to see it through their lens. You know, for me it’s been about trying to give more than I take.

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Here are some questions about his charity event. Notice that in spite of all the money he has earned, he still knows the value of money… 

Q. I know it’s still a few weeks away, October 7th is a big night. Can you imagine this will be the most emotional moment of your retirement?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, listen, if I could leverage anything I’m going through here to make more money for the children, to bring them more opportunities, I’m open to ideas. If I can inspire people to give more as a result of anything, that’s a good thing. That night is a huge night.
I think actually this will be the first event, because that’s a perfect example of what I look forward to. In years past, I’m not playing in
Europe because I’m doing this for the foundation. I’m not training, I’m not playing, but I’m doing something I really care about.
This year I’ll get to just do what I care about without that sort of price tag with it. It will be great.

Q. Do you think it will be a bigger event as a result, though?
ANDRE AGASSI: I don’t know. Last year we raised $10 million. A couple years ago $12.6 million. Those aren’t easy numbers. I don’t lose appreciation for how much money that is and what happens with those children’s lives as a result of that money.
We’re talking about millions of dollars that are going to get raised. I’m going to be thankful for each one.

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Finally, here are some funny and emotional question/answers:

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Q. How are you going to explaining to your children what their daddy did?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, my first goal is to explain to them why I was crying. It was pretty upsetting to them to see me cry because I suppose they don’t realize that dads do that.

Q. Looking at the number of media here, do you really want us to track you down?
ANDRE AGASSI: It depends if I liked you or not (smiling).
No, I would love to see all of you again.  

Q. Do you have any questions for us?
ANDRE AGASSI: Are you guys going to really miss me or are you just acting like that?
(Standing ovation.) 

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Lessons:

1. Focus on process and not on results. Think about how you can leave your profession and the world better from your contributions. 

2. Push to be better every day.

3. The best appreciation comes from your peers.

4. Never forget the hard times and the value of money.

5. Give your best, be a fierce competitor, be humble, be good to people, do something for the society. This is the way to live a fuller life.

6. When you finally say good bye to your career, be happy about the transition and look forward to the new tomorrow.

Here is the link for you to read the entire interview:http://2006.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2006-09-03/200609031157324998765.html