Agassi146;s love volley speaks for all Steffi146;s fans

A love letter delivered aloud by Andre Agassi to Steffi Graf may well have been the most moving performance in the 124 years of the venerabl...

A love letter delivered aloud by Andre Agassi to Steffi Graf may well have been the most moving performance in the 124 years of the venerable tennis parlour on Bellevue Avenue.

Dressed in a suit and tie and a role that neither he nor anyone else ever had played, Agassi introducing his wife, whom he calls by her straight name, Stefanie, to her place among the saints of the game. She was being elevated to the Hall of Fame, an honour she never sought and, in her longtime quest for privacy, somewhat dreaded. Agassi made it easier, despite the tears, and just right for her.

Agassi was the first in the Hall8217;s annals to share a life with the presented. In doing so, he reached pinnacles of eloquence and adoration, at times pausing to subdue his own tears. 8216;8216;Looking out across this audience filled with warm friends and great champions, I am overwhelmed with the history and tradition of the moment8217;8217;, he said. 8216;8216;As I attempt to find words worthy to introduce the person that has changed my life, I realise that the words have yet to be invented that are large enough, colourful enough, true enough to express the heart and soul of this woman I love.8217;8217;

It was still. Listeners realised they were in on an uncommonly deep and passionate paean to the woman they knew as 8216;Fraulein Forehand8217;, delivered as though only the two of them were in the house. He continued for eight minutes, speaking of the woman 8216;8216;never needing applause to be your best, only needing to give the best your soul could give to feel complete. You have always been about the action, not about the words.

8216;8216;It has taken my breath away to see how you have quietly laid down your racket to pursue love and motherhood with the same zeal and high standards you have always demanded of yourself.8217;8217; How often has she taken the breath away from those who watched her? Graf seemed to have lost her breath and composure 8212; 8216;8216;to hear you8217;re loved so much8217;8217; 8212; but that was momentary. She pulled herself together, typical of her in competition. Tears dried, she praised her nearby father and mother, and others along 8216;8216;the journey to here.8217;8217; She appeared relieved when it was over.

It had been a grand journey, described in a vocal love letter.

The New York Times

Grass-lord Stefan, 87-year-old 8216;Dodo8217; Cheney honoured

Surrounded by 39 Famers, whose reunion made it a unique occasion, Graf, Stefan Edberg, and 87-year-old Dorothy May 8220;Dodo8221; Bundy Cheney were the Class of 2004. One of the Famers, South African Frew McMillan, sensed a bittersweet element. 8220;The next time such a reunion is held, many of these faces will be gone,8221; he said.

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The crowd, in an outpouring of fondness, appreciated that, too, in saluting champions that ranged from McEnroe to 90-year-old Gardnar Mulloy and including Laver, Newcombe, Margaret Court, Jack Kramer, Rosewall, Virginia Wade, Rosie Casals, Stan Smith, Guillermo Vilas, Pancho Segura.

Edberg, winner of six majors, splitting them equally among Wimbledon, the US, and Australian, spoke of his love for the game that carried him through all the 8220;hard work and setbacks8221; that were necessary to become a champion.

He felt his first great moment was as an 18-year-old Davis Cup doubles player alongside Anders Jarryd as Sweden upset the US in 1984. Looking at McEnroe with a broad smile, Edberg said, 8220;We beat you that time.8221; It was the lone Cup doubles loss for Mac and Peter Fleming.