Challenges in the Life of Andre Agassi in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Andre Agassi's life and career.

Andre Agassi, a former American professional tennis player, achieved the world No. 1 ranking for 101 weeks and secured the year-end No. 1 title in 1999. His impressive career includes 60 ATP Tour-level singles titles, highlighted by eight major wins, granting him a career Grand Slam. Agassi also earned an Olympic gold medal, won the 1990 ATP Tour World Championships, claimed 17 Masters titles, and contributed to three victorious United States Davis Cup teams. He is among the few men to achieve a career Grand Slam in singles and a career Golden Slam in singles during the Open Era.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1987: First Wimbledon Appearance

In 1987, Andre Agassi first played at Wimbledon, only to lose in the first round to Henri Leconte.

1988: Wimbledon Absence

From 1988, Andre Agassi chose not to play at Wimbledon through 1990.

1988: Becker Prevails Over Agassi at Indian Wells

In 1988, Boris Becker and Andre Agassi first played at Indian Wells, with Becker prevailing.

1989: Becker Wins Davis Cup Match

In 1989, Becker won the Davis Cup semi-final match against Agassi in five sets after losing the first two in tiebreaks.

1990: US Open Final Loss to Sampras

In 1990, Agassi lost the US Open final to Sampras in straight sets. This was their first meeting in a Grand Slam tournament final.

1990: First Grand Slam Final

In 1990, Andre Agassi reached his first Grand Slam final at the French Open, losing to Andrés Gómez. He also lost the US Open final to Pete Sampras but helped the United States win its first Davis Cup in 8 years and won his only Tennis Masters Cup.

1990: Wimbledon Absence

Through 1990, Andre Agassi chose not to play at Wimbledon from 1988.

1991: French Open final and Wimbledon Debut

In 1991, Andre Agassi reached his second consecutive French Open final, losing to Jim Courier. He also played at Wimbledon, reaching the quarterfinals.

1993: Wimbledon Quarterfinal Loss to Sampras

In 1993, Agassi lost to Sampras in five sets at the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Sampras went on to win his first Wimbledon championship.

1993: Doubles Title and Injuries

In 1993, Andre Agassi won his only doubles title at the Cincinnati Masters, partnered with Petr Korda, but missed much of the early part of the year due to injuries. He lost in the first round at the US Open and required wrist surgery late in the year.

1995: Becker and Agassi Split Wimbledon and US Open Semifinals

In 1995, Becker won that year's Wimbledon semi-final against Agassi after being down a set and two breaks, to eventually win in four sets. In a rematch in the US Open semi-final, Agassi came out victorious in four tight sets.

1996: Chang defeats Agassi at Australian and US Open

In 1996, Chang recorded easy straight-set victories in the semi-finals of both the Australian Open and the US Open against Agassi. Agassi admitted in his book that he had lost the first of the matches on purpose as he did not want to face Boris Becker, who was awaiting the winner in the final.

November 10, 1997: Ranking Sank to No. 141

On November 10, 1997, Andre Agassi's ranking sank to No. 141, prompting many to believe that his run as one of the sport's premier competitors was over. He confessed to using crystal methamphetamine during that time.

1997: Ranking Decline

In 1997, Andre Agassi's ranking declined to as low as No. 141, leading many to believe his elite career was over.

1997: Rafter Wins Against Agassi at US Open

In 1997, Rafter took their only US Open encounter against Agassi and went on to win the title.

1997: Methamphetamine Use

In 1997, as revealed in his autobiography, Andre Agassi used and tested positive for methamphetamine. This revelation caused controversy within the tennis community.

1999: Rafter Wins Against Agassi at Rome Masters

In 1999, Pat Rafter surprisingly won their sole match on clay against Agassi at the Rome Masters.

2000: Rafter Wins Against Agassi at Wimbledon

In 2000, Pat Rafter won against Agassi at Wimbledon, a grueling 5-setter match often being presented on the lists of best matches ever played.

2001: Rafter Wins Against Agassi at Wimbledon

In 2001, Pat Rafter won against Agassi at Wimbledon, a grueling 5-setter match often being presented on the lists of best matches ever played.

2001: Sampras Defeats Agassi at US Open

In 2001, Pete Sampras defeated Andre Agassi in the US Open quarterfinals in four sets. Notably, there were no breaks of serve during the entire match. This match is considered one of the best in history due to the high level of play.

2002: Sampras Defeats Agassi at US Open Final

In 2002, Pete Sampras defeated Andre Agassi in four sets at the US Open final. Sampras defeated Tommy Haas and Andy Roddick en route to the final, while Agassi defeated Lleyton Hewitt. This match was the final ATP tour singles match of Sampras's career.

2002: Agassi and Sampras US Open Final

In 2009, in Macau Agassi and Sampras met for the first time on court since the 2002 US Open final.

2003: Federer Defeats Agassi at Masters Cup

In 2003, Federer began to turn the tide at the Masters Cup, when he defeated Agassi in both the round-robin and the final.

2004: Federer Defeats Agassi at US Open

In 2004, Federer defeated Agassi in a quarterfinal match at the US Open that spanned over two windy days.

2005: Federer and Agassi Play on Burj al-Arab Helipad and Federer wins US Open final

In 2005, Federer and Agassi attracted worldwide headlines with a publicity stunt that saw the two tennis legends play on a helipad almost 220 meters above sea level at the hotel Burj al-Arab. Federer was victorious in the final of the 2005 US Open in four sets in front of a pro-Agassi crowd. The match was the last appearance by Agassi in a Grand Slam final.

2006: Injury-Plagued Season and Retirement Announcement

In 2006, Agassi had a poor start due to injuries, withdrew from the Australian Open and the French Open, and his ranking dropped out of the top 10 for the last time. At Wimbledon, he announced his plans to retire following the US Open.

2009: Agassi and Sampras Meet in Macau

In 2009, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras met for the first time on court since the 2002 US Open final in Macau. Sampras won the exhibition in three sets.

2009: Withdrawal from Fairmont Tamarack Project

In 2009, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, via Agassi Graf Development LLC, withdrew from the Fairmont Tamarack condominium hotel project in Donnelly, Idaho, due to difficult market conditions and project delays. They had finalized an agreement for the project in September.