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Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
February 21, 2005
AGASSI KEEN ON JOURNEY TO ROOTS
Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
-->After a quick tour of Dubai, American legend Andre Agassi
admitted that he wouldn't mind risking a trip to neighbouring Iran in
an attempt to trace his roots.
"If I have more time here, then I don't mind making a quick trip to
Tehran and seeing things for myself," Agassi told reporters at the
Dubai Tennis Stadium yesterday.
Born in Armenia, Agassi's father Mike Agassian was a boxer with the
national team that went to the 1952 Olympic Games. After he moved to
the US, however, Mike dropped the final two letters in Agassian to
became Agassi.
"Logistically and culturally I have seen how Dubai would compare with
Tehran from the stories I have heard from my father," Agassi said.
"Most of what I've heard about life in this region, and Iran in
particular, is from my father," he added.
"If I have more time, then it would be possible to go and see things
for myself."
However, with Patrick McEnroe asking Agassi to step into the US Davis
Cup team this year, such a trip would not seem feasible.
"It would have been really interesting to see all this first hand.
But I have to go to the Davis Cup," Agassi said.
The American star, however, has seen a lot of potential for this
region, Dubai in particular. "I do have a lot of business interests.
But most of these are confined inside the lines (of the tennis
court)," Agassi said in response to a query.
However, he did agree that eight of his friends have come along with
him on this trip to the region. "I hope such a trip is not once in a
lifetime. I get the feel how much it is to have a holiday," he
stated.
Agassi felt that most often players do not get the chance of taking a
closer look at the places they visit while on the Tour.
"It's a tease sort of situation where we really do not get a chance
to enjoy the cultural variety of a place," Agassi admitted.
"But, it's been quite different here and I've been really getting a
good insight of this place."
"Logistically and culturally I have seen how Dubai would compare with
Tehran from the stories I have heard from my father," Agassi said.
"Most of what I've heard about life in this region, and Iran in
particular, is from my father."
February 21, 2005
AGASSI KEEN ON JOURNEY TO ROOTS
Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
-->After a quick tour of Dubai, American legend Andre Agassi
admitted that he wouldn't mind risking a trip to neighbouring Iran in
an attempt to trace his roots.
"If I have more time here, then I don't mind making a quick trip to
Tehran and seeing things for myself," Agassi told reporters at the
Dubai Tennis Stadium yesterday.
Born in Armenia, Agassi's father Mike Agassian was a boxer with the
national team that went to the 1952 Olympic Games. After he moved to
the US, however, Mike dropped the final two letters in Agassian to
became Agassi.
"Logistically and culturally I have seen how Dubai would compare with
Tehran from the stories I have heard from my father," Agassi said.
"Most of what I've heard about life in this region, and Iran in
particular, is from my father," he added.
"If I have more time, then it would be possible to go and see things
for myself."
However, with Patrick McEnroe asking Agassi to step into the US Davis
Cup team this year, such a trip would not seem feasible.
"It would have been really interesting to see all this first hand.
But I have to go to the Davis Cup," Agassi said.
The American star, however, has seen a lot of potential for this
region, Dubai in particular. "I do have a lot of business interests.
But most of these are confined inside the lines (of the tennis
court)," Agassi said in response to a query.
However, he did agree that eight of his friends have come along with
him on this trip to the region. "I hope such a trip is not once in a
lifetime. I get the feel how much it is to have a holiday," he
stated.
Agassi felt that most often players do not get the chance of taking a
closer look at the places they visit while on the Tour.
"It's a tease sort of situation where we really do not get a chance
to enjoy the cultural variety of a place," Agassi admitted.
"But, it's been quite different here and I've been really getting a
good insight of this place."
"Logistically and culturally I have seen how Dubai would compare with
Tehran from the stories I have heard from my father," Agassi said.
"Most of what I've heard about life in this region, and Iran in
particular, is from my father."