Return-machine ready for another winner

On the eve of his return from a two-month injury layoff, Andre Agassi spoke like a man ready to make some more magic on the tennis court, no...

On the eve of his return from a two-month injury layoff, Andre Agassi spoke like a man ready to make some more magic on the tennis court, not one ready to say farewell to his sport.

The 35-year-old American was set to face French lucky loser Jean-Rene Lisnard here yesterday in an opening-round match at a 380,000 ATP hardcourt event. Agassi8217;s second-round foe would be American Kevin Kim.

Agassi has not played an ATP match since an opening-round loss at the French Open in May. A nagging sciatic nerve problem kept him out of Wimbledon for the second year in a row and fueled rumours his days on the tour might be numbered.

8220;I want to feel healthy,8221; Agassi said. 8220;I want it to be about the tennis. I haven8217;t played matches in a while so this is struggling a little bit. Then I8217;m in my wheelhouse and I8217;ll figure it out.8221;

Eight-time Grand Slam champion Agassi said he plans to stay in the game as long as his body will allow.

8220;I don8217;t know what8217;s going to go into my decision as far as I do this but I can tell you one thing 8211; I don8217;t want to be on the court unless I8217;m at least engaged, letting my game fly and feeling good.8221;

Agassi took a two-set lead in his Roland Garros opener against Finland8217;s Jarkko Nieminen before losing.

Story continues below this ad

8220;If there8217;s one thing I learned in Paris, limping around in front of the world is not a comfortable thing to do,8221; Agassi said.

8220;It8217;s like a car going uphill with no brakes. You8217;re either going forward or backwards,8221; Agassi said. 8220;I feel like when I8217;m at home watching it, I8217;m going backwards.8221;

Agassi has won three titles here and is the top seed but is not putting himself under extra pressure to win a title in his comeback event.

8220;I can8217;t think of a better place for me to come out try to find my best tennis again,8221; Agassi said. 8220;This is a tournament I8217;ve always played so well at, winning here a number of times and using it as sort of a springboard into my summer. I enjoy being a part of it.

Story continues below this ad

8220;I certainly look forward to having more memories out there. I8217;ve had some real good matches here and I8217;ll have a few more chances hopefully this week.8221;

While Agassi has not given up on himself, it appears long-time sponsor Nike has. After 17 seasons wearing a Swoosh, Andre Agassi has parted ways with Nike in favour of a three-year sponsorship deal with rivals Adidas.

Agassi now will use the same German-based clothing and footwear brand as his wife, German tennis star Steffi Graf, who still has a sponsorship deal five years after her retirement.

8220;I8217;m excited about my new partnership,8221; Agassi said. 8220;How it plays out, time will tell.8221;