brad andres, youngest champion professional motorcycle racer

Despite many great results, Agassi, who had been the first American player from his generation to hit the spotlight, saw his rivals triumphing in major tournaments, whereas he missed several opportunities. 1988 was his breakthrough year: not only did he claim six titles, but he also reached the semi-finals at Roland-Garros, defeated by Mats Wilander (4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 6-0), and at the US Open, where he lost to Ivan Lendl (4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4). Taught by his father and coached at the Nick Bollettieri Academy, his game relied on a great return (the best of his time) and on hitting the ball on the rise on both sides with incredible power, which was revolutionary at the time and then copied by generations of tennis players.Īgassi won his first ATP tournament in November 1987, in Itaparica, defeating Luiz Mattar in the final (7-6, 6-2). He had turned professional in 1986 and he had soon become famous, thanks to his amazing tennis skills but also to his eye-catching style including the iconic denim shorts and the pink bike shorts (worn as underlayer). Andre Agassi – Rebel and 8-time Grand Slam championĪndre Agassi, the Las Vegas Kid, was one of the biggest stars in tennis history.In September 1990, he claimed his 20th title in Brisbane, defeating Aaron Krickstein in the final (6-3, 6-1), and in February 1991, Gilbert was No 10 in the ATP rankings.

Gilbert had also obtained a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988, after he lost in the semi-final against fellow American Tim Mayotte (6-4, 6-4, 6-3). Although he managed to climb as high as world No 4 in early 1990, after he had won five tournaments in 1989, his best Grand Slam results were two quarter-finals reached at the 1987 US Open (lost to Jimmy Connors, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0) and at Wimbledon in 1990 (lost to Boris Becker, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1). Unlike many other professional players of his era, Gilbert did not have a major offensive weapon, and his game relied mostly on his great tactics. He turned pro in 1982, and within a few months, he claimed the first of his 20 titles in Taipei (defeating Craig Wittus in the final, 6-1, 6-4). The players: Andre Agassi and Brad Gilbertīrad Gilbert, from the United States, was born in 1961. Three years later, Gilbert became the coach who would lead Agassi to world No 1.

On this day, February 9, 1991, Andre Agassi, world No 4, suffered an unusually heavy loss in the semi-finals of the San Francisco Open, where he lost to his future mentor Brad Gilbert, 6-1, 6-2 in less than one hour.

Brad andres, youngest champion professional motorcycle racer