Agassi wins Madrid Masters when Novak pulls out hurt

Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

MADRID, Spain -- Anyone familiar with Andre Agassi knows the post-victory drill: bows and blown kisses to all four corners of the court, an engaging, empathetic speech and an extended wave on his way out the door, with security guards keeping the excitement from turning into something more harrowing.

Agassi did all that here Sunday, just as he has done in Paris, New York and many other major cities over the years. The difference this time was that there was no sweat on his brow or tennis togs as he bowed and celebrated.

Jiri Novak, Agassi's opponent in Sunday's final of the Masters Series, pulled out of the match with a torn groin muscle shortly before it was to begin. But Agassi had earned his way into the final with the four matches he had won. Agassi has won a record 15 Masters Series titles.

His career-long measuring stick, Pete Sampras, may be pondering impending fatherhood and the virtues of retirement in California, but Agassi, who is already a father, is back on the road and playing with the sort of focus that seems to indicate that retirement is not yet a consideration.

Of course, when Sampras and Agassi shared the tennis moment of the year in the U.S. Open final, it was Sampras who won.

"If he's interested in sort of ending his career with something that you can wrap in a bow and sort of say, 'Here's how I finished it,' then it seems to me like he has that opportunity before him," Agassi said. "But my inspiration doesn't come from thinking about my career being over with now. It comes from actually playing and getting out there. I think we're at two entirely different places in that regard."

How much longer does Agassi see himself getting out there? "It's the body and the mind," he said. "My body's holding up, so I have no predictions on that. I have no idea how long it's going to feel possible physically. But my mind is still determined to get better and play."

Agassi, who is 32, will probably keep playing as long as he feels he has a chance to win the major titles that provide the biggest buzz.

Davenport, a three-time Grand Slam tournament champion and former No. 1, dropped to 0-4 in finals since returning from knee surgery in January.