Coach Brad Gilbert ‘Vowed to Shave His Entire Body’ if Andre Agassi Won US Open as an Unseeded Player

Andre Agassi, the eight-time Grand Slam champion, made rapid progress in the ATP rankings as a teenager and became a Grand Slam competitor early in his career. Although he had some tough moments on the Tour, like many players, he also experienced some enjoyable moments, particularly with his coach.

Agassi nurtured his iconic style under the vibrant coach. ‘The Punisher’ revealed one such moment with his coach, Brad Gilbert, in his autobiography, Open.

Gilbert shared a special bond with Andre Agassi

Brad Gilbert developed the best strategy to make the most of Agassi’s attributes, making him a completely different player who knew how to control every part of the game.

Agassi while recalling his exemplary coach, wrote (Autobiography, ‘Open’), “No unseeded player has won the U.S. Open since the 1960s. Brad likes it. He says he wants me unseeded. He wants me to be the joker in the deck. You’ll play someone tough in the early rounds, he says, and if you beat them, you’ll win this tournament. He’s sure of it. So sure, he vows to shave his entire body when I do.”

After poor streaks in Los Angeles and New Haven, Andre entered the US Open unranked for the first time since 1987 at the age of 17.

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He further wrote, ” You know everything you need to know about people when you see their faces at the moments of your greatest triumph. I’ve believed in Brad’s talent from the beginning, but now, seeing his pure and unrestrained happiness for me, I believe unrestrainedly in him. Reporters tell me I’m the first unseeded player since 1966 to win the U.S. Open.”

The champion Agassi won his second major crown and first US Open title by beating Michael Stich 6-1, 7-6, 7-5 in an exemplary one hour and 56 minutes. Andre Agassi won one among his eight Grand Slam titles as an unseeded player and that was the 1994 US Open title, which came after him winning Wimbledon in 1992.

Agassi once protested against Wimbledon’s dress code

The 1992 Wimbledon champion had once opposed Wimbledon’s policy of only allowing white clothing for the players. The American took this protest so seriously that he refused to play at Wimbledon for 3 years.

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Agassi was recognized for his extravagant fashion sense, both on and off the court. His neon outfit was adored and attracted the attention of fans. It was clear that the strict traditions followed by Wimbledon did not suit him.