Agassi the master sustains dominance over young guns

Australian Open: Veteran Americans grab limelight in men's singles and mixed doubles while younger Williams sister now holds all four majors

The philosopher that Andre Agassi has turned into at the ripe old age of nearly 32 treats every victory with awe, as if it might escape his grasp if he held it too tightly.

He makes winning look so easy, but he takes nothing for granted. "As you get older, you realise how quickly these moments pass," Agassi said after crushing Rainer Schüttler 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 at Melbourne Park yesterday to secure his fourth Australian Open title and eighth grand slam. "You want to make the most of them. To win down here again was more than I could dream of."

Twelve months ago, with a heavy heart, the Las Vegan withdrew from the season-opening grand slam with a wrist injury. After being crowned champion two years running, he yearned for the chance to make it three in a row. But the injury was serious. He thought he might never play tennis again.

Agassi recovered and went on to have an outstanding year, winning five tournaments and finishing the season ranked No 2 in the world. But, for the first time since 1998, he did not win a grand slam. At the US Open, he was beaten by his old rival, Pete Sampras, in an epic final.

It was for these reasons – and no doubt others, too personal to divulge – that yesterday's victory tasted so sweet. Asked if he was surprised to be achieving so much at his age, Agassi replied: "How can you not be surprised to win any time? I've been overwhelmed with winning from the first I experienced it. I play the game with urgency, I'm always trying to impose myself. When I get through it, I'm always surprised."

Australia suits him particularly well. He enjoys the hot, windy conditions and loves the Rebound Ace surface. While other players resent the timing of the tournament, a rude start to the year after the briefest of off-seasons, Agassi relishes the challenge of coming to Melbourne fit, fresh and prepared.

He has won five of his major titles since turning 29. Like a vintage wine, he improves with age. Diffident in victory, he conceded yesterday that he was playing the best tennis of his career. "I can say that, over the past two weeks, I've been hitting the ball better than I ever have," he said. "I feel stronger and better, and it's just great when that reflects in your results."

Turning reflective again, he added: "There's not one single day that's guaranteed or promised to us, and a day like this is very rare. This means the world to me."

There has been much talk in recent years of a changing of the guard in men's tennis. But the game's young bucks – James Blake, Andy Roddick, even the world No 1, Lleyton Hewitt – were all knocked out in Melbourne as the veteran American advanced to become the oldest grand slam champion for 31 years.

Agassi dropped just one set en route to the final, to France's Nicolas Escudé, the only player who presented a real challenge. Schüttler, who had never before progressed beyond a grand slam quarter-final, was swatted aside like an irritating fly. Not since Jimmy Connors vanquished Ken Rosewall at the US Open in 1974 has a major final been won in so few games.

Paralysed by nerves, Schüttler lost the first eight points. When a backhand error by Agassi in the third game gave the German his first point, he raised his arms in mock triumph and bowed to the crowd, to deafening applause. Briefly emboldened, he broke Agassi's serve in the next game. The experience was not repeated during the 1hr 16min match.

Schüttler said: "He was controlling the game from the first point. I never had the chance to play my game. From the first point on, I was under pressure. I tried to do something special, but it didn't work. It's a bit disappointing to play a final and lose like that."

Watching from the stands were Agassi's wife, Steffi Graf, his new coach, Darren Cahill, and his long-time trainer, Gil Reyes. All had staked something on a fourth Australian title. Cahill gets his head shaved by Agassi. Reyes, a non-drinker, has to sample one of Agassi's margaritas. Graf, the winner of 22 grand slam titles, has to play mixed doubles with him at the French Open, as he announced last week.

But it seems that, as far is Graf is concerned, the American jumped the gun. "She's not going to be too thrilled about going back on the court, but I hope I can talk her into it," Agassi said. "I don't think anyone appreciates how hard this is going to be for me to get her out there. That's hopefully one of the things that through the next 50 years I'll get in trouble for."

Graf retired in 1999; Agassi says he will consider that move only when he can no longer win despite playing his best tennis. But it is pushing his own boundaries that motivates him. "I can live without the competition, to be honest," he said. "I can live without the hard work. But I can't live without knowing what it feels like to try to accomplish something that I don't believe I can. I think that's what drives me."

ANDRE AGASSI FACT FILE

Born: 29 April 1970, Las Vegas

Age: 32. Height: 1.80m (5ft 10in).

Turned professional: 1986.

1987: Wins first title, in Itaparica.

1988: Wins six titles and reaches French and US Open semi-finals.

1990: First grand slam finals: loses to Andres Gomez in French Open and Pete Sampras in US. Helps US win Davis Cup against Australia.

1992: Wins first grand slam at Wimbledon beating Goran Ivanisevic. Leads US to Davis Cup.

1994: Returns from wrist surgery to win US Open.

1995: Wins first Australian Open title.

1999: Finishes year ranked No 1 for first time after winning five titles. French win makes him fifth man to win all four grand slam titles in his career.

2000: Wins sixth major at Australian Open.

2001: Successfully defends Australian Open title.

2002: Loses to Sampras in US Open final.

2003: Becomes first overseas player to win four men's Australian Open singles titles.