“My first feeling was just sheer shock that it was really over,” Andre Agassi said back in 2020, recalling the moment when he finally accomplished the one missing milestone from his career – the French Open victory. It completed his career slam. After failing to do so in the finals of 1990 and 1991, the former World No.1 eventually pulled it off in 1999, in a five-setter against Ukraine’s Andrei Medvedev. 26 years on, Agassi is now set for a big return to the Roland Garros. But hey, wait, didn’t he retire in 2006? Well yes, but the 54-year-old won’t step on the tennis court this time. So what’s he up to?
Before turning his French Open dream into a reality, Agassi went through two painful campaigns. Imagine losing back-to-back title clashes at the same venue! In the 1990 edition, he lost the ultimate battle against former Ecuadorian ex-pro Andrés Gómez. Before the match, Agassi was touted as the favorite. But Gomez stunned him in a four-setter, with a score line of 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. A year later, the American succumbed to yet another final defeat, against compatriot Jim Courier, who won the title in a grueling five-setter, beating Agassi with a score line of 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.
It was, however, only eight years later that Agassi had tears of joy in his eyes, as he achieved glory at Roland Garros. It was another five-setter, but thankfully Agassi came out on the right side of it this time, beating Medvedev 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4. Two and half decades later, he’s now going to make a comeback to the clay major. But how?
Agassi will appear in the role of a studio commentator during the 2025 French Open next month. Taking to his official Instagram account, on April 5, the 8-time Slam champion revealed, “Excited to see everyone at @rolandgarros on @tntsports!” Agassi will join TNT Sports’ team for the coverage of this season’s French Open edition on the Parisian clay court.
The American legend will receive a featured spot during the SF encounters and the final. He will be joined by the likes of US sports commentator Brian Anderson and 7-time Slam winning icon John McEnroe.
Fun fact: It’s not the first time Agassi will be seen as a commentator on television. After retiring from tennis following the 2006 US Open, he appeared as a guest commentator during the QF encounter at the 2007 US Open between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick.
It seems TNT is targeting to go big in sports coverage lately. Agassi isn’t the only renowned name to join TNT. The network has always had big names on board covering various sports. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has been a part of its NBA team for many years, while ex-Dominican pitcher Pedro Martinez is leading the MLB coverage alongside Wayne Gretzky on the NHL. Apart from Agassi, TNT was also in talks with the other popular American tennis icons, like Jim Courier and Lindsay Davenport, as reported by The New York Times on April 2.
While there’s still time for Agassi to make his French Open comeback as a commentator, he’s busy with other exciting initiatives. If you have been following him lately, you know how much of a pickleball lover he is. He and his wife – WTA legend Steffi Graf – won their second-straight Pickleball Slam earlier this year. In the third edition of the slam, in February, they beat Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard to take $1 million of prize money.
A few days ago, Agassi came up with a brand new pickleball campaign. But what is it? Let’s find out!
Andre Agassi launches a new Pickleball project
Andre Agassi took to his Instagram account on April 1, revealing a major transition in sports entertainment. Introducing the Agassi Sports Entertainment (ASE), he wrote, “Excited to announce Agassi Sports Entertainment. I’ve been very passionate about the growth opportunities in pickleball and padel and this venture will help us bring even more to the sport through youth activities, school teams, and scholarships, to major league action, streaming media, and everything in between.”
Continuing further, he added, “AASP aims to play a leading role in spreading the fun, wellness, social interaction, and business of pickleball around the world.” Technically, Agassi Sports Entertainment is a rebranded name of the previously known Global Acquisitions Corporation. The change came into effect on March 31.
It’s not a secret how much Agassi has promoted pickleball in the last few years. Being an investor and player of the sport, he previously noted, “Having been involved with pickleball as an advocate, investor, and player, I’ve grown to love all the sport has to offer to so many people. As I have become more involved in recent years, I’ve recognized how much opportunity exists to grow the sport, all while promoting health of body and mind.”
It will be intriguing to see how Agassi’s new pickleball project boosts the rapidly growing sport. Especially when it comes to reaching more people in the United States. What are your thoughts on pickleball’s growing popularity and Agassis’s role in it? Let us know in the comments below.