This is an idea out of left field that I doubt will ever happen, but after watching Andre Agassi's amazing performance at this year's U.S. Open, it occurred to me that he ought to pursue a career in politics.
I grew up in Las Vegas, right next door to Agassi's home town of Henderson, so I've always considered him sort of a hometown boy who made good. In Vegas especially, he is well known not only for his tennis brilliance but also for his involvement in charitable causes and as a regular guy. Now that his tennis career has ended, I'm sure he'll be looking for ways that he can continue to do good in the world, and we could use his idealism and people skills in the political arena.
Politically, Agassi appears to be solidly a Democrat. His
campaign contributions have included a couple of donations to Joe Lieberman, but I wouldn't hold that against him.
I've rarely seen Agassi express pointed political opinions. His life until now has been primarily dedicated to mastering his sport. I wouldn't necessarily expect him to share my views on the issues or to be particularly knowledgeable. However, he has shown skills during his career as an athlete that would translate well into a successful political career.
- Ability to grow and learn. Agassi started out as a bit of a brat, with extraordinary talent but an immature streak. He developed into an admired exemplar of hard work and maturity. His retirement from tennis brought accolades from throughout the tennis world. Even sports journalists who had deplored his behavior in his youth were full of praise such as the following: "It's still completely fascinating and mind-boggling that this beloved statesman hatched out of that dope in stonewashed denim and neon pink. That such class came from the bad flowing hair, the jewelry, the bush-league maneuvers, the lack of respect for the game. That the punk who once pouted and shunned the naming ceremony at Arthur Ashe Stadium was honored on that same court as a champion deserving of a connection to Ashe."
- Ability to work a crowd. Pete Sampras was the best tennis player of Agassi's generation if you look simply at skills and matches won. Agassi, however, was by far the most beloved. He knew how to please a crowd, and moreover he did it by showing respect and affection for his opponents and the crowds that came to watch him play. For the last several years of his career, he would end each match by bowing and blowing kisses to the stadium — a gesture he invented. Coming from someone else, it might have seemed maudlin or contrived, but he did it with unquestioned sincerity and genuine emotion, which his fans reciprocated.
- Poise during live interviews. I've watched a lot of athletes when microphones are thrust into their faces following an event, and more often than not the interviews turn into collections of clichés. With Agassi, there was almost always a fresh phrase, a spontaneous remark or joke, an indication that he was actually listening to the interviewer and giving a thoughtful response.
In addition to these virtues, Agassi also happens to be the son of a Lebanese an Iranian immigrant, and it would be rather refreshing to see someone from that background emerge as a significant figure in American politics. I have no idea what views Agassi holds about the Middle East, but he strikes me as someone who is intelligent and open-minded enough to learn and make sensible decisions, and he couldn't possibly make worse mistakes than the current crop of American policymakers.
I imagine this is just my pipe dream, but wouldn't it be nice if someone with Agassi's reputation and abilities could transcend his current role as a statesman and exemplar for the sport of tennis and become a statesman for causes such as good government and world peace?