Second loves truly last forever with Andre

To be honest, my first tennis love was Pete Sampras. I grew up on tennis, and I loved watching him pummel opponents with his powerful serves and precise volleys. As a tennis player, he could do everything that I couldn't -- I rarely strayed from the baseline (or hit 130 mph first serves). But as they always say, opposites attract.\nAnd first loves die hard. During the 2002 U.S. Open, I cheered Sampras to victory against Andre Agassi in the last match of his pro career. A year later -- when Sampras walked onto the court in Arthur Ashe Stadium one last time to officially announce his retirement -- I, along with many "Pistol Pete" fans, thought that tennis as I knew it was over.\nAgassi had always been one of my heroes, but he became my new favorite player after Sampras retired. Since then, I think I've watched every match he has played, and now, to me, Agassi is more of a hero than Sampras ever was. \nDon't get me wrong, I still love Pete. But Agassi has inspired me and my generation more than anyone I've ever seen play. Agassi, who retired with eight Grand Slam titles and almost 900 singles wins, went from being the game's wild child to being its spokesman. He peaked at No. 1 in 1995 and then slipped to No. 141 in 1997. Then he fought his way all the way back to No. 1 and has been at the top since 1999. He has taught us that it's OK to yell, get mad and screw up as long as we bounce back, train hard and have passion and perseverance.\nAs Agassi made his final speech, nearly 24,000 people stood completely silent, eyes glued to the crying champion. He said that in his 21 years of playing professional tennis, fans' loyalty, inspiration and support helped him reach his dreams. But really, he has given that to fans. For 21 years, they've had a loyal hero to count on, someone who has inspired them and taught them to love tennis. \nHe has shown the world that some professional athletes really do have a pure love for the sport they play. He never gave into pressure to retire once he hit 30. He was out on a court until his body physically couldn't take any more. He has donated millions to ensure kids can continue to learn tennis. He gave the game all of himself. \nNot every athlete would do that. Sampras certainly didn't.\nAnd which one of today's Americans will be playing until age 36? Certainly not Andy Roddick, who has yet to convince me that he's out of diapers or that he can play tennis. Probably not Robby Ginepri, Taylor Dent or Mardy Fish, who've barely had careers worth mentioning. Maybe James Blake because he certainly has the charisma and the maturity, but he has yet to win a major title.\nThe point is, there will never be another like Andre Agassi. One fan at all three of his U.S. Open matches last week held up a sign that said "Legends live forever," and in his case, the tennis world knows it's true. Arthur Ashe Stadium was packed every time Agassi played last week -- as it has been throughout his career -- and every fan was cheering for him. \nAnd just before Agassi played his last point, tears welled in his eyes, mirroring the tears in the eyes of thousands in the stands. Even John McEnroe choked up as he interviewed Agassi after his five-set win against 21-year-old Marcos Baghdatis last week. \nAnd personally, he'll always be my tennis hero. He might have replaced Sampras, but no one will replace him. \nIn fact, I think second loves last forever, at least in tennis.