The End of an Era

For someone who is seldom lacking something to say, I find this first post a bit more difficult to craft than I expected; even more so as I just watched Andre Agassi hobble off the court at Flushing Meadows after his 3rd round defeat in the U.S. Open. Instead of doing the customary interview with on-court reporter Mary Joe Fernandez, he took her mic, walked on to the court, and gave an emotional, eloquent, Lou Gerhig-esque farewell speech.

“The scoreboard said I lost today. But what the scoreboard doesn’t say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I 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 never have 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.”

Agassi was the ultimate competitor and I have watched his metamorphosis over the years from a talented punk athlete who once spat on a judge during the US Open to what many consider to be the last great ambassador of the game. Andre’s transformation came with experience and maturity, demonstrated in part by how he has made the most of his celebrity and financial means with his charitable foundation, including starting a charter school in Las Vegas for the less than fortunate children of Sin City.

I decided to use this first post to salute a true professional and competitor to the end. The real estate stuff will follow.

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