2011 Hall of Fame Induction Speech - Andre Agassi

On July 9, 2011 the one and only Andre Agassi was honored with the highest honor in tennis - Induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Agassi selected Simone Ruffin, a graduate of Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy to give his presentation speech.

[@SamuelDaram]

This is the greatest speech I ever heard by a sports star. Genuinely inspring.

[@margannaful]

wow. here I am, 52 years old, crying like a baby. what an awesome inspiration you are, Andre!

[@Jreed8181clt]

MUFC it does not matter what sport they play it really matters how they act and how they are

[@johndecriscio9586]

I'm 75 and feeling the same way.

[@rajbelgaumkar909]

Andre never stopped evolving and that is an inspiration. Great human being!

[@dhui777]

Agassi kept saying that he is not so educated, but his speeches are so good, much better than many so called educated people.

[@louiepecchia7561]

There’s no words to describe Andre’ Agassi , just a great man

[@kitersrefuge7353]

What a man.We can all aspire to Andre Agassi.

[@ekafithriagustira4626]

he is a role model every young people should learn and follow her success..i am big fan of him & steffi . they make a great couple together as well a good team..happy to see them now as family

[@ericagovea2262]

What a humble beautiful speech from an amazing man I remember when I first heard he had married Steffi Graf my favorite tennis player and thinking WOW what an amazing couple they are going to be . So nice to hear him talk about the great Arthur Ash and Billie Jean King and what they gave not just to tennis but to the world . His speech was inspiring full of hope and how to give back and do so with humility I was on the verge of tears . So I thank you Andre Agassi for a moving speech that gave me much to think about may God bless you and Steffi with many happy years and all the success you so richly deserve .

[@Jreed8181clt]

I agree

[@VVS167]

🌹🌹🌹😊💕💕💕

[@aaziz15954]

Andre, you always speak from your heart and make us tear because of the heart felt words. Keep up the good work. You are the best!

[@shengwu6044]

For real. I never realized what a great speaker he is. He is a very deep, genuine, and sincere man.

[@glenysjury8363]

No dream No journey Is impossible. What an inspiring speech. Heartfelt and very moving. Congratulations Angre Aggassi

[@crosbyyacht]

I don't know of another athlete who can give a speech like Andre :)

[@lia7]

yeah, she was super nervous and under pressure, she will probably regret this but she seems to be very young, it was a big job to do this and prepare and deliver this - we all learn from these things :-) Agassi is amazing.

[@elissahofelt2575]

Andre Agassi is my favorite tennis player of all time, not just because he is one of the greatest, but because he's just a really good person.

[@Vijayabeulahjesus]

Both of them stood as role models both in field and family life.

[@Vijayabeulahjesus]

Wonderful speech. Teaching to be grateful to parents as well as the whole community. Love you Agassi and Stephy Graf.

[@Polarcupcheck]

Agassi was like a rock star that played tennis. All the highs, all the lows and insecurities.

[@SamuelDaram]

And thank you 'tennisfamer' for uploading this video.

[@dgstamper1]

Now, all we need is a movie to show us the paths of Andreas' journey! I loved watching every second of all your matches. And i love even more the man you've become! Thank you Andre, thank you, Steffi, for the memories you've left us with. ❤

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

My favorite player ever. I grew up with him. I followed him. I even looked like a total dork wearing his lime green 1990 belly shirt when i played. I miss those days. It was the greatest era in American tennis, and the best years of my life. Hope youre well Andre, and thank you for all the great memories.

[@johntatum1951]

May God continue to bless Andre and Stefani and their school...this young lady is a great speaker.

[@Dean814]

@crosbyyacht He is an amazing speaker. His introductory speech during his wife, Steffi Graf's induction to the Hall of Fame, and the speech he gave during his retirement ceremony were amazing. He also gives great interviews.

[@stephymanjooran]

I cried by listening this man.u stirred our souls by ur life Andre .respect from the bottom of my heart.love you.

[@scottcomar]

Take 30 minutes out of your life and watch this. This is a man that has been humbled into greatness that impacts everyone in his path.

[@sonnymacklin5269]

Long time a decade ago you said this but it still does apply and will. Well said!

[@plzhd2]

Wow! I'm just now watching this and very much agree with you with tears in my eyes! Loved this guy while he played then I got "disconnected" from watching and playing tennis! Great man!

[@kandavallisundersingh1877]

As great as your game! You are a born champion. Your describing Life in Tennis terms of serve, receive, game, love, fault, and game - superb expression! You loved tennis, and lived tennis and still do it all along!

[@branboard]

Without Agassi, my love for tennis would be absolutely nothing. Growing up with him as my childhood sports hero has proven that it is very possible to be whatever you strive to be. As a kid, I wanted to dress and have all the same gear as Agassi. It's true IMAGE IS EVERYTHING. Now I'm 22 years old and I look back at his great career and am thankful that such a great player and role model stepped onto these courts. I can't wait to tell my kids about Agassi, just like my dad told me about Borg

[@chloecarr4970]

He should be a motivational speaker. seriously

[@purplesmiley533]

This girl is just very happy and excited to be there for Andre. I can see thru her how Andre has inspired her to be confident and be yourself.

[@elfiepapini4470]

MUFC team sport verses single sport ? No comparison, you try and play singles for 4-5 hours in heat conditions and I’ll tell you who are the better athletes, nothing to do with popular sport!

[@Jreed8181clt]

I don’t even watch sports but I love his speech and watch it when I’m down

[@bobbygassman]

"Rock-bottom is an interesting place, i moved in and spend some time there..." Nice comment.

[@themtoniraniremaxbroker2447]

Truly Inspiring....Thank you Sir!! Many Thanks. Keep Well and Keep Doing What You are Doing!! God Speed...

[@russnyberg6177]

I'm crying now watching this. Andre has always inspired me and does even more today!

[@DTysonator]

Excellent! Thank you for sharing this inspirational speech on life, @tennisfarmer :). Andre Agassi speaks the truth here. No one is perfect. We all lose in life at some point or another, but it's how we deal with those losses that ultimately defines us. We must keep it up and NEVER give up in the game of life, if we are to achieve our full potential and inspire others into doing the same! We CAN do it!

[@January.]

WOW

[@harrywissink842]

I just read his book .. he has become my hero too Great guy with a great partner All admiration 🙏

[@jggroupon]

OMG, did tears come to my eyes cos of a hall of fame sports inductee??? I really respect u Andre, big time

[@JasonFingerman1212]

Every Journey is Epic and begins today.

[@MissAries76]

My ALL-TIME favorite player. I love you Andre!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LoyolaDerose]

Great storytelling......of Andre Agassi.... leading to Great teachings ... in the lives of many children and all ... these all possible through tennis which he endeared most. May God go with you and your family always!

[@josephsilvala1027]

this man is God sent to give us inspiration about life...

[@rr7firefly]

Climbing out of the hole is one of the most important lessons to take from this wonderful speech. With the rarest of hero's traits, honesty and humility, Andre inspires us to live a meaningful life, one that embraces responsibilities and persists in the face of doubt and dark times. Begins at 24:00

[@anntengocampo1455]

what an inspiring speech to a player who brought colors and exitement in tennis. just cried and was happy to hear how much you love your family esp.my fave Steffi and your Jaden and Jazz. continue helping , learning and loving, i catched those kisses!

[@ais6863]

Great speech, one of the all-time greats, he just had a hard time figuring out his two main rivals, himself and Pete Sampras.

[@roccorockssd]

wow. he should be a motivational speaker. traveling to schools around the world.

[@carmelrankin9362]

Andre, what a great speech. You deserve this and i'm happy for you and your family. Nelson Mandela is one of my heroes and to hear you mention him and his advice was poignant.

[@scottlebrun6782]

Who could dislike Agassi?

[@willnill7946]

Scott LeBrun I do

[@chancock4222]

will Nill Yes but you’re a douche.

[@Jreed8181clt]

:3 I don’t

[@davidbcg286]

Boris Becker

[@VVS167]

The sort of thing that makes you wanna thank one’s parents for choosing doing it.., so that one could EXPERIENCE such wonderful things 🌹

[@Lovegainers5]

Agassi is the man!

[@Vijayabeulahjesus]

What a wonderful, dignified, gentle players we have in the past.!!? Amazing

[@pamelahl1]

Andre~ so sweet and humble ~what a joy to see this. Thank you for sharing!

[@raqueltuscano8975]

great speech from one of the best tennis players of all time

[@lauralangham9657]

I'm so glad he mentioned about being #142 and then regaining his #1 ranking - Wow, who else could do that ? No one.

[@patrickkelly9110]

Super speech , really inspirational

[@FayJamieChambers]

Loved listening to that amazing man Andre.

[@denise2304]

The world needs more people like you, Andre! It is sorely lacking these days! Andre is an amazing, intelligent writer and speaker, and he truly understands what is important in life. Thank you for your honesty and openness, Andre!

[@denise2304]

Andre understands that greatness is not about winning and being better than others. It is about being the best you can be for our world... a humble man who, in his own way, is one of the greats like Mandela.

[@kavadale]

A speech on par with his best tennis; yes, I am impressed and proud for him and with him.

[@RCTPatriot75]

"You have a dream and I have strong shoulders, so stand on my shoulders and reach". My advice to the young, surround yourself with the kind of people you want to be.

[@nagisakowrau]

What an inspiration, he was just an amazing human being

[@January.]

*He IS

[@epassamiDevon]

thank you tennis! well andre.....I respect you so much. thank you!!!

[@TheTuscaloosa]

He was never the best player, he was never the most talented player, but he is one of the few who made and still makes a difference in life. He can be proud of himself and this is biggest achievement anybody can reach.

[@snowmarten129]

Michael Stich called him the most talented player.

[@sperrotta91]

Yeah, to imply Agassi was a limited grafter is utterly ridiculous.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Agassi was by far the most gifted player I have ever seen .....what are you on? A pure talent. It was his mindset that let him down big time. 8 slams though...he is an all time great so its all good.

[@richardkrivik7032]

sperrotta91 . What a prick are you ?! Fuckin idiot .. YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF TENNIS HYSTORIE..GO GOOGLE IT DUMB ASS ....!! ALL 4 GRAND SLAM .. OLYMPIC GOLD .. NUMBER 1 3 times.. WORL CHAMP age 20...etc .....

[@arindambanerjee3326]

He was bigger than tennis.For me Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time but Andre Agassi is not only a tennis player,he is larger than life and his story is a fairy tale of tennis.He is a tennis rockstar and a revolutionary who changed the game.

[@RichardsWorld]

He is only about one and half years older than me but I looked up to him when I was young and trying out tennis.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Best player of his generation.

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

Sampras by far.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

@@EndoftheTownProductions Agassi by far. Pete needs to learn how to hit a backhand and play on clay.

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

@@ciaronsmith4995 Sampras had a tremendous backhand volley and slice, and his flat BH was solid. Sampras' lifetime record against Agassi is 20 to 14 with 6 to 3 in grand slam matches. He was clearly the better player head to head.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

@@EndoftheTownProductions Agassi skipped the Australian open for half a decade, was on Meth for half his career and still won all the slams and revolutionized baseline tennis. Pete had one of the single worst backhands of all time for a grand slam winner, and a one dimensional game without the serve. He had a decent forehand, apart from his serve and volley borefest.

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

@@ciaronsmith4995 His slice backhand was a tremendous shot in neutralizing rallies and setting up a cross court rally to his forehand. There were many times where his down the line BH was working great and was quite effective. Pete had a lifetime winning record against Andre and was 4 - 1 against him in grand slam finals. Look at Sampras' record in grand slam finals: 14 - 4. Agassi's record was 8-7. Sampras was simply the better player.

[@jackdanielss]

That intro speech was amazing

[@gojipoj]

Youre a legend

[@Orion3741]

Andre Agassi - achieved the Grand Slam. Won Gold at the Olympics. Represented the USA at the Davis Cup. Played in 3 different decades.

[@rabiouah8280]

Great champion great heart great speech

[@francescobarone4443]

What a man!❤

[@limitless4249]

That girl who introduced Andre was so cute, but she sounded like she was on speed.

[@lrebsten7155]

Ashley Montana She was probably so nervous and excited.

[@bab1374]

Her voice is so annoyed! Wish that someone listened to her and teach her how to deliver the speech softly and powerfully!

[@January.]

@@bab1374 *annoying "had listened to her and taught her

[@CarlosMestre]

The best player ever

[@_Simkim]

It looks as though this girl read the chapter of 'Open' where Andre thoroughly describes the effects of a certain substance...

[@tennishalloffame]

@nhanleb It's avalable on the Hall of Fame website. I'm trying to send you a link, but it won't work. It's under News & Events, Press Releases, and then it is about halfway down the page.

[@clovismelo5956]

Parabéns André Agassi, você é o cara!

[@heftyalan1152]

Amazing returner of serve.

[@kuihsapit]

Simone's giggles nearly killed me ......

[@pinnaclecooking2384]

In my opinion she ruined that moment.

[@robcalder1744]

class act

[@rakeshsrivastava4091]

Both.Steffi.Graf.and.Andre.Agassi.are.great.players.as.well.as.great.humans

[@omgicntfindaname1]

@rhiggins30 i agree....thought that for such an important person it would come out a little more well-done...agassis speech made up for it tho :)

[@donwong5721]

Could you post Jimmy Connors ceremony?

[@mariannemarken6126]

Really? Jimmy Connors is a jerk!!!

[@rhiggins30]

Um, Simone knows that this isn't a pep rally, right? She's well-spoken and the content is good, but the delivery is inappropriately giddy. I know she's nervous, but it's a hall of fame ceremony!

[@KentAZ58]

@Appoldro She's not a bimbo, she's actually very articulate. The laughter was annoying, but probably the result of nervousness. Many people are greatly intimidated by the act of public speaking.

[@roccorockssd]

someone should have asked to hear her speech before she was allowed to deliver it.

[@pinnaclecooking2384]

She ruined it. For such an academic young lady she sure showed great immaturity

[@Dean814]

The introductory speech was terrible and i had to mute the sound the second time I viewed the vid. I'm sorry for saying this but I wanted to tape the girl's mouth shut. Content was not that good, delivery was terrible. But Agassi's own speech was really wonderful. He should be a motivational speaker.

[@majesticallymade6177]

I respect you Aggassi n always adored Stefi graff . .yuve all done such grt things n given bk to th community BUT pls mention The Almighty God cuz He gave yu yur wife He gave yu yur children He gave yu yur sport He gave yu th opportunity He set your life in in order for your success He gave yu your parents He formed yu in your mother's womb He gave you LOVE and th ability to love and the ability t share and give back to others He gave yu the th strength n th mind t think He created you and if it was not for Him you would not be . .So as much as I admire yu Aggasi pls put God the True and Living God in yur the forefront of yur speech beautiful as it was and coming frm a good place let us not put up ourselves on any pedestal let us not just idolise and worship man becus without God those men wud not be. Maybe yu dont believe in God Andre thsts why i dont hear yu thank Him sounds to me like Tennis is your god cuz yu thnak th sport for this n that and for giving yu yur wife I get what yur saying in that but we spk frm th heart n I perceive God is far from your heart even tho yu giv off th attributes of goodness love sharing goodness hummbleness th attributes God has given to man cuz we are made in His image with His qualities. Yes we gave th choice and th free will to choose God n except Believe and Trust what His son Jesus Christ sacrificed for man to be saved n set free from sin. He gav us th free will to incorporate Him in our lives and to b a witness if His love and to declare Him before others and b not ashamed. Tennis may have ruled yur life that yu thnk it like a god but I hope I'm wrong n that if not b4 or maybe now as I text yu hav put God first in all your adoring giv Him thnks for yur life for yur wife, children, opputunities n th positive mindset. We can all choose to do good or bad but we are blessed with th right mind if we can do more gud thn bad. Hope yu hav put God first Andre n Stefi n take hold and have excepted th free gift of Eternal life that it b your Greatest accomplishment ever. Sent with love ❤

[@redd605]

Too win Olympic gold,and career grand slam in singles in men's tennis I think Nadal is another one who has done this show how rare this can be done

[@naysayer1238]

Yep, Agassi even has a leg up on Nadal though because he also won the ATP Finals.

[@keshavkunal9796]

wow

[@saz6950]

@17:27 who is that one person?

[@SonateSonate]

The guy he is facing on the court.

[@Rimpianto]

@htdmc2010 - It's not baseball. They have anti doping controls in every tournament. If he passed them it means than he was clean. Or also all the other players can be accused in the same way: We don't know which and how many drugs Federer has taken! So he earned his titles as every other player and that only stain in his curriculum, imho, is not enough to erase everything he has done for this sport.

[@jiukalita]

The worst introductory speech ever given! But I dare not let it spoil the speech from the great man! Andre Agassi is such an inspiration!

[@lrebsten7155]

I hate Andre Agassi speeches - they always make you bawl like a baby.

[@mydogiscalledoscar]

Wait... There's grass courts in the US?

[@Wodz30]

Newport ATP 250 and International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Horseshoe tennis court there is the oldest grass court in the world since Wimbledon had re-surfaced their courts in the 1970's. I was at this HOF event and also play regularly on the grass courts. This is the only professional grass court tournament in North America. There are many private country clubs in the states that has grass courts but do not host ATP tournaments. The Longwood Club, in Massachusetts held the U.S. Pro Tennis Championships from 1964 to 1999. That tournament (established in 1927) was one of the professional (not amateur) Grand Slam calendar events. The club is very historic and is members only and while it does have invitational regional tournaments it is not open to the public.

[@January.]

*There ARE grass courts....?

[@misztong]

@sharoncoach Why did it cross a line? It was a question, not a statement. It was humorous, a bit cutting perhaps, but it reflected my general disgust for her performance. I wouldn't have used the crystal meth thing if Agassi hadn't revealed it. Why shouldn't I use it in his context? He keeps on reproaching Sampras with his poor tipping. And to call her performance lacking is like saying a murder is a misdemeanor.

[@misztong]

@sharoncoach I'm not questioning Agassi's choice. I was referring to her performance. To me it was a performance, not a speech. I thought she would start rapping it out in a moment. There are some basic rules one should follow when addressing a crowd at an honorable event. And the fact that he chose her to give the introductory speech does not mean I should now be tolerant to this chaotic, screechy and pretentious presentation. My comment may have been vicious, but it surely was necessary.

[@Rimpianto]

@htdmc2010 - Ok, on some degree you can be right. Anyway, ATP found out about meth. He had to write a letter to explain and he came out clean in that way (yeah, I know, weird). But, as I said this isn't cheating. He used meth when barely playing, for his personal buisness. ATP charge 3 months suspension for meth. Hall of Fame introduction is not only about his career as a player but about everything else he did to bring tennis to a new level of recognition wolrdwide and his educational program.

[@bobbygassman]

The praising of his father is so contradictorary to everything in "OPEN", his biography? H says "thank u tennis" almost as many times as he writes "I hate tennis" in his book? He has never been afraid of being honest. Why this now?

[@danieljoseph255]

God's still waiting for his "thank you"

[@good2freelance1]

I have a question, why didn't they wear hats? That include the Pete Sampras Hall of fame, No hat, why not??

[@htdmc2010]

@Rimpianto Ever heard of disqualification? In most sports if they found drugs you are automatically disqualified from the tournament and if they found out later they usually take your Title. He won Grand Slams before taking drugs? maybe, but who knows when he started taking drugs? And we do not know which drugs he has taken aswell we do only know about meth. He disualified himself from the Hall of Fame and should have not been honored.

[@htdmc2010]

@Max E Its a Drug according to Sport Laws usually you get suspended and sometimes they Take your Titles. Yet nothing happened here. Sharapowa used a substance that substance was all of a sudden forbidden and counted as a Drug. She was banned for 2 Years. Other Players using drugs had to face similiar charges.

[@hadassah6]

Sad that Steffi did not introduce him as he did her.

[@alessaschmitz5847]

Steffi is a shy person and Symone is a great representer of the agassifondation. I loved it.

[@h40x4]

that girl was annoying.

[@htdmc2010]

@Rimpianto There are tricks to bypass the tests as we can clearly see in other sports like bycycle racing, athletic sports ... also they didn`t found about the meth either did they? Of course you have to prove something before judging. Other Players could have used drugs aswell but they never said it? It is unfortunatly impossible to prove when he cheated and therefore taking his Titles is impossible. But honoring him with the Induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a joke.

[@htdmc2010]

So he cheated using drugs won grand slams and now the hall of Fame? wow thats justice i suppose

[@amardaulet-singh6947]

htdmc2010 at least inform yourself a little before commenting utter bullshit. He never cheated..he used drugs for recreational purposes..

[@LL-ft9oz]

Methamphetamine is not a performance enhancing drug for sports

[@juliettafokt7653]

Legend Andre!!!!!!!!

[@RichardsWorld]

For a young lady she sure gave a great speech in front of all of those people.

[@meeramenon8328]

Wow