Articles by Urvi Mehra

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"There's much I want to say to Pete Sampras about marriage, but I can't": When Andre Agassi learned of Sampras' engagement to actress Bridgette Wilson

Andre Agassi once revealed his candid thoughts on Pete Sampras' engagement to actress Bridgette Wilson. He also shed light on his distant dynamic with his arch-rival, admitting that he didn't feel like he could tell Sampras how he really felt.In his 2009 memoir 'Open,' Agassi recalled how Sampras told him about his engagement to Wilson after their encounter in the 2001 Indian Wells Masters final. Having divorced Hollywood star Brooke Shields in 1999 after two years of marriage, the eight-time Grand Slam champion admitted to being "allergic" to actresses in response.Andre Agassi admitted that there were many things he wished he could say to Sampras about marriage and actresses but acknowledged that they didn't have such a close relationship. He also wished that he could ask Sampras whether he regretted dedicating the majority of his life to tennis.However, Agassi explained that their closely contested rivalry prevented them from building such intimacy. The American also realized that he and Sampras were more like "strangers" despite all the time they spent around one another on tour."There is much I want to say to Pete, about marriage, about actresses, but I can’t. Ours isn’t that kind of relationship. There is much I’d like to ask him—about how he stays so focused, about whether or not he regrets devoting so much of his life to tennis," Agassi said."Our different personalities, our ongoing rivalry, precludes such intimacy. I realize that despite the effect we’ve had on each other, despite our quasi-friendship, we’re strangers, and may always be," he added.For his part, Agassi was in a relationship with fellow tennis legend Steffi Graf, at the time. The couple would go on to get married and welcome their son, Jaden, that same year.Andre Agassi: "To my mind, being with the right woman is true happiness... I hope Pete Sampras feels the same way about his fiancée"Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi - Source: GettyAndre Agassi went on to emphasize that he wished Pete Sampras the best for his impending marriage. The eight-time Grand Slam champion opened up about how he had found "true happiness" with Steffi Graf and shared his hope that Sampras felt the same about his relationship with Bridgette Wilson.Agassi also added that he hoped Sampras cared for Wilson as deeply as he appeared to care about his tennis legacy."I wish him the best, and I mean it. To my mind, being with the right woman is true happiness. After all the time I’ve spent putting together my so-called team, the only thing I want now is to feel like a valued member of Stefanie’s team. I hope he feels the same way about his fiancée. I hope he cares as much about his place in her heart as he seems to care about his place in history. I wish I could tell him so," Andre Agassi wrote.While Andre Agassi was saddened by his distant relationship with Pete Sampras at the time, the two rivals eventually managed to become more friendly after their respective retirements. Sampras has disclosed that he and Agassi took the time to get their children together whenever they could.

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"The need to paint Carlos Alcaraz as erratic is truly baffling" - Fans slam Jim Courier for 'rude' take on Spaniard after his shock Paris Masters loss

Carlos Alcaraz has crashed out of the 2025 Paris Masters after a shock loss to Cameron Norrie in his opening match. Following Alcaraz's defeat, former World No. 1 Jim Courier's assessment of the Spaniard sparked furious reactions from tennis fans.Having reached nine finals in a row, Alcaraz was expected to continue his stellar run of form at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris. However, the World No. 1 looked far from his best during his second-round clash with Norrie, as he recorded 54 unforced errors and allowed the Brit to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.While analyzing Carlos Alcaraz's performance on the Tennis Channel after his loss, Jim Courier made a point about the 22-year-old's "unpredictability" and his tendency to play risky tennis. Courier also described the highs and lows of the World No. 1's results as "the Alcaraz experience," asserting that such off days were part of the package."What we love about Carlos Alcaraz is also what puts him at risk in matches like this. We love his unpredictability. When he's really just playing such high risk tennis and he pulls it off so often. But on a day like today, 54 unforced errors, remember 24 points a set is what you need. So over two sets worth of unforced errors from Alcaraz," Courier said. "But this is the Alcaraz experience. You get the great highs and you get some days like today. He has not had these days for such a long time. That's where it caught us off guard, but it takes me back to Miami when David Goffin beat him down there. Goffin played a clean match like Cam Norrie. But another early upset here in Masters 1000 after a nearly flawless stretch for Carlos Alcaraz," he added.Fans did not take kindly to Courier referring to the six-time Grand Slam champion's loss as the "Alcaraz experience," arguing that the phrase should instead be used to describe the Spaniard's impressive string of results."Carlos alcaraz was on an 8 tournament final streak, coming off the back of a triple title run and this clown calls this one off “the alcaraz experience”. the lack of objectivity and the need to paint carlos as some erratic player is truly baffling," one fan posted."Call me crazy, but I'd say the Alcaraz experience was more like the RG, USO, Rome, Monaco, Rotterdam, Queens, Cincinnati, and Tokyo than his worst match of the year. The disrespect towards someone who was coming from 9 consecutive finals playing one of the best levels of tennis ever," another fan chimed in."It is always the media frenzy after he loses. Alcaraz experience wasn’t all the finals he made and titles he won from April till date, it’s the one bad match he had," said another.Fans continued to lambast Jim Courier for his "rude" take and contradicted the former World No. 1's claim by highlighting Alcaraz's achievements."One loss after a spectacular season, 2 gs, 3 masters, 8 finals in a row and a 67 wins and this is how you're talking about him? watch your mouth," one fan commented."Carlos has made 9 consecutive finals this year and has won 8 titles. He just had an off day, which happens to everyone. There's no need to be so rude. You're so weird for this, Jim Courier. Like wtf do you mean "the Alcaraz experience??" a fan argued."tennis channel, if jim courier has some personal gripe & insecurities when it comes to carlos, he should take it to someone who can professionally help him deal with this instead of airing it out on your broadcast every chance he gets. this in no way is a fair, unbiased analysis," another fan wrote.Carlos Alcaraz himself provided an assessment of his performance after his loss and revealed how he felt about the conditions at the Paris Masters in a candid admission."I had no feeling at all" - Carlos Alcaraz addresses his 'mistakes' after Paris Masters exitCarlos Alcaraz - Source: GettyIn his post-match press conference, Carlos Alcaraz acknowledged that he had made plenty of mistakes during his clash with Cameron Norrie at the Paris Masters. However, the Spaniard made sure to give Norrie his due for his stellar performance in the match."Well, I just I didn't feel well today. A lot of mistakes. Not feeling -- I had no feeling at all. I think Norrie played really great tennis today, as well. Solid match. And I think that was the key," Carlos Alcaraz said.Although Alcaraz had initially been delighted by the slower court conditions at the Masters 1000 event, he complained about the speed of the court to his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero during the match. The World No. 1 likened the experience to "playing on clay" in a moment of frustration.Carlos Alcaraz will now look to put the disappointing loss behind him and turn his attention to his preparations for the ATP Finals. The 22-year-old will be on the hunt for his maiden title at the year-end championships.