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 Agassi likes long-shot Wimbledon odds
Posted: Sunday June 21, 1998 05:13 PM
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Late for a lunchtime appointment, Andre Agassi hustles across the grounds at the All England Club, following coach Brad Gilbert through a maze of hedges and tunnels. Agassi talks as he walks, answering questions about his tennis comeback, when suddenly he and the conversation come to a halt. "Where did Brad go?" he asks, anxiously scanning the grounds. "Did you see where he went?" This could be an omen: Wimbledon has yet to begin, and Agassi already looks lost. It's been three years since Agassi won a match at Wimbledon. The drought for the 1992 champion was part of an overall decline that dropped him to 141st in the rankings last November. But this year he has won two tournaments and finished second in two others, and questions about his motivation have faded. Four-time champion Pete Sampras said Agassi is one of about eight players with a shot at the title. "Andre has certainly been playing better this year," Sampras said. "He's going to be a threat." Sampras is the favorite, but if he's unable to shake a slump that dates back to last year, the tournament is wide open. Most observers discount those who dominated the clay-court season, including second-seeded Marcelo Rios, who acts as though he's allergic to grass. Australian Open champion Petr Korda, U.S. Open champ Patrick Rafter and perennial Wimbledon threat Goran Ivanisevic have struggled lately, while big-serving Greg Rusedski and 1996 champion Richard Krajicek are slowed by injuries. "It's an open draw," Agassi said. "There are a lot of sections where even guys you don't expect to do well on grass could come through." That means room for Agassi, a 20-1 longshot who has won three Grand Slams, but none since January 1995. He plays Alex Calatrava of Spain in the first round Monday. Agassi, 28, skipped Wimbledon a year ago, his competitive zeal overtaken by domestic bliss. But now, after settling into his marriage to actress Brooke Shields, Agassi claims he's eager to play. He looked sharp during workouts last week, blasting winners during a practice match that left mild-mannered Brit Tim Henman cursing and tossing his racket. Sampras' coach, Paul Annacone, watched from a nearby court. "Andre went through a spell where he struggled with motivation," Annacone said. "But he's dangerous. He has won majors, and there's no reason he can't continue to win majors." Agassi's comeback lost steam last month when he was upset by 18-year-old Marat Safin in the first round of the French Open. Agassi blamed a sore shoulder that's now healed. "I should only get better from here," he said. "I'm still a little time away from my best tennis, but it could happen here. I have enough confidence now that in the right situation, I can elevate my game to win." With that, Agassi peeled off for his lunchtime appointment and disappeared around the corner, still trying to find his way back to the top.
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Agassi has won two tournaments this year and finished second twice 