Andre Agassi is returning to tennis. He's going to compete in the Outback
Champions Series for the first time when he plays in the The Cancer Treatment
Centers of America Tennis Championships at Surprise, Ariz., on Oct. 8-11. The
Outback Champions Series is for former pros age 30 and over. Agassi is now 38.
Doesn't that make you feel old? When Agassi appeared on the tennis scene as a
teenager, he appeared to be destined to be a flash in the pan. The "image is
everything" ads for the Canon "Rebel" only hurt his image at the time. It took
him awhile, but Agassi eventually fulfilled his potential. His matches in the
U.S. Open are classics. Agassi became arguably the most complete
player of his era, winning the four major titles -- Wimbledon, U.S. Open,
Australian Open and French Open -- for the career Grand Slam. He's only one of
five men to do so. The are others Rod Laver, Don Budge, Roy Emerson and Fred
Perry. Agassi also proved himself to be of substance, and not just image,
off the court: He started the Andre Agassi Foundation, which is focused on
improving public education. Agassi should be a Masters athlete icon, proof that
you can get better on and off the court as you age. The Outback Champions Series
is lucky to host his comeback.