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By Scott Schultz

DAILY BRUIN senior STAFF

sschultz@media.ucla.edu

Ten years ago, Andre Agassi said to a national audience that “Image is everything.”

When it was his catch phrase, he was referring to his image as a wild youth – complete with long hair and colorful outfits. These days, the image of Sunday’s Mercedes-Benz champion is the polar opposite.

Now Agassi, a champion at all four Grand Slam events, is a legendary veteran presence on the ATP tour that is in desperate need of a leader.

“He knows everything that’s going on on the court,” Jan-Michael Gambill said about Agassi, who defeated him in the championship match on July 28. “He has the ability to anticipate every strategy that you would attempt.”

Agassi, who practiced with Gambill earlier in the week, immediately noticed that Gambill was working on a new type of spin on his serve and approached him on it, according to Gambill.

“Andre and I have always had great practice sessions,” Gambill said. “Andre’s always been a great friend, and he gives great advice.”

His veteran savvy was visibly evident on the court as Agassi was able to minimize his movement on the court while forcing Gambill to earn every point.

However, more importantly, Agassi displayed a sense of calm on the court when the balls didn’t land where he wanted them. That’s something the younger American players like Gambill, Andy Roddick and Taylor Dent, who would curse, complain to the line judges, and slam their rackets, could learn from.

However, Agassi is very modest when he assesses his position as a mentor to the younger American players on the tour.

“Any time that you get ranked among the great champions of the sport, it is a phenomenal compliment,” Agassi said. “I try to go about my work and going about how it should be done. However, I inquire about certain choices sometimes, if it’s something I wouldn’t do.”

Agassi, who was the oldest player competing at this year’s tournament, says he can still improve his game in areas such as his serve, and he credits his approach to conditioning as a vital element of maintaining his high level of success.

“My goal is to make my opponent reach the bottom of their gas tank,” Agassi said.

“It gets harder and harder each year, physically, mentally and emotionally,” he added.

This year with former stars Pete Sampras and Michael Chang battling injuries and staring retirement in the face, Agassi has been receiving additional praise from the younger players as someone who raises the level of play of his opponents, because if they don’t play their best game against the legend, they will lose in short order.

“I feel that if you work hard and keep improving, you can lead with your work ethic,” Agassi said.

And, after all, as the future Hall of Famer will tell you, “Image is everything.”