“Andre Agassi in no way is a Jimmy Connors… He loses with dignity, wins with dignity” – When Agassi’s ex-coach spoke on his ‘businesslike’ attitude

After winning the US Open in 1999, Brad Gilbert, Andre Agassi’s former coach, stated that the American was not at all similar to Jimmy Connors.

Agassi was the second seed in the tournament and only lost two sets on his way to the final. He defeated Todd Martin 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2 to claim his second New York Major title and fifth Grand Slam victory.

After the championship match, Brad Gilbert, Agassi’s coach at the time, addressed the media and was questioned about John McEnroe’s desire for the 29-year-old to engage more with the public and generate greater enthusiasm.

In response, Gilbert commented that Agassi was “professional”and not at all similar to Jimmy Connors, who was notorious for engaging the audience. He then praised the eight-time Grand Slam winner for showing grace in both victory and defeat.

“I mean, it wasn’t like in Paris, where the crowd was totally decisively for him,”Gilbert said. “He was playing another American. I think, regardless of his personality, whatever it is, Andre [Agassi] measures himself about his game. He was all businesslike out there.”

“Andre in no way, shape or form is a Jimmy Connors. His game and his emotions and the way he speaks for himself out there, you know, he loses with dignity, he wins with dignity,”the veteran coach added.

In the 1999 season, Agassi retained his position as the top-ranked player in the world and won two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and US Open.

Serena Williams achieved the Career Grand Slam in 2003

Andre Agassi is one of the rare players who have achieved the Career Grand Slam, which involves winning all four Majors.

In 1992, he won his first Major at the Wimbledon Championships by defeating Goran Ivanisevic in a five-set final. While this was his only title at the grass-court Major, he also achieved success at the US Open, winning two titles in 1994 and 1999 by defeating Michael Stich and Todd Martin, respectively.

Agassi has had the most success at the Australian Open, winning the tournament four times (in 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2003). In 1999, he secured his only French Open title by defeating Andriy Medvedev in the final. Additionally, Agassi achieved victory at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he defeated Sergi Bruguera of Spain to claim the gold medal.

Additionally, during his career the American amassed a total of 60 singles titles and held the number one spot on the ATP Rankings for a combined 101 weeks.