His mother diagnosed with breast cancer, Andre Agassi goes back on court this afternoon at the U.S. Open, once again trying to balance his job against his concern for his mother’s health.
“It has been a difficult year in many respects with my sister having breast cancer and my mom was diagnosed with it just a month ago,” Agassi said in a television interview.
“It hasn’t been easy, but in many ways it has gotten the family stronger and close. And it has given me the perspective that unfortunately sometimes only certain tragedies can bring.”
Agassi did not say whether his mother was receiving treatment or whether she had had surgery.
“My concentration hasn’t been the easiest, but I think it’s getting better,” he said.
His mother, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with the disease while Agassi was playing at Cincinnati the week of Aug. 7. He left the tournament immediately, but returned to Washington a week later to play the Legg-Mason event and made the final, where he lost in straight sets to Alex Corretja. His younger sister, Tammee, had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. He did not disclose her current condition.
While he says he has difficulty focusing totally on his tennis, he also said that he doesn’t want to waste any opportunities to win another Slam. “I don’t have another shot at this,” he said.
