Andre Agassi got emotional as the USTA Foundation honored him with the Serving Up Dreams Award at its annual Opening Night Gala on Sunday, Aug. 24, during the 2025 US Open. The eight-time Grand Slam champion delivered a heartfelt speech filled with gratitude that ended with tears in his eyes.
Just a few days earlier, the 55-year-old joined tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on court for the Stars of the Open exhibition.
What Brought Andre Agassi to Tears as He Reflected on His Journey Beyond Tennis?
During the ceremony, the USTA Foundation played a video in which Agassi reflected on how education transformed not only the lives of countless children but also his own relationship with tennis. “I needed my reason, and I found it, and I found my team,” Agassi said in his speech.
“I found something that my name was on, but had nothing to do with me. Something that I was connected to, but much larger than me. If all it gave me was my second chance at being present and enjoying tennis for what it was, as opposed to directing so much rage at the sport, that would be enough. I would say thank you. Thank you, education, for giving me that,” he added.
With his voice breaking, Agassi finished by expressing his appreciation for the USTA’s work, saying, “I appreciate sharing our passion for making a difference in people’s lives. So that’s it. Have a good evening. Thank you.”
The USTA Foundation shared the moving moment on its official Instagram account, where fans could see the uncut version of Agassi’s speech.
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The award holds particular weight, as it is given to individuals who embody the USTA Foundation’s mission of preparing young people for life’s challenges through tennis, education, and personal development. For Agassi, the honor was a reflection of decades of philanthropic work.
In 2001, he established the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education to improve public schools and uplift underserved communities, raising more than $180 million to date. His efforts also led to the creation of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, which graduated nine senior classes under his guidance and continues to serve students today.
He later co-founded the Turner-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund, dedicated to building schools in low-income areas across the United States.
