Agassi losses in four sets at U.S. Open; ends career as only man to win all four grand slams as well as Olympic gold.

The story book career of Andre Agassi ended today when he lost in four sets to Benjamin Becker in front of a packed crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The man who came into professional tennis and revolutionized the game succumbed to his 36-year-old body’s screams for retirement. After receiving three cortisone shots just to give his back relief, Agassi’s prior two five set matches had taken enough of a toll that he was unable to overcome Becker, the world’s 112th ranked player.

With tears freely flowing, Agassi thanked the crowd for their continued support and remained gracious and respecting to the sport that he helped shape, “the scoreboard shows that I lost today, but what it doesn’t show is what I feel.”

That feeling was mutually shared by the crowds that came to bear witness to Agassi’s final grand slam event. With his previous two matches extended to five sets and overall length in time, nobody seemed willing to leave without seeing the final point. After Becker served an ace to end the match 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5 the New York crowd gave Agassi a prolonged ovation.

For the man who won Wimbledon 14 years ago en route to becoming only the fifth man to win all four events that comprise the grand slam, retirement seems like a well deserved reward. With his wife Steffi Graff watching, Agassi closed the book on his legendary tennis career.