Agassi shaping up well for his final hurrah

THERE were no signs of the back problems which have dogged Andre Agassi this season when he put British teenager Chris Eaton through the mill at Queen's Club yesterday. Sporting a sleeveless muscle shirt, under which there was clearly a washboard stomach, the 1992 Wimbledon champion looked in fine fettle at the age of 36.

He missed Wimbledon last year because of a sciatic nerve injury and has played only three events this season, avoiding the French Open and those arduous clay courts. But, with everyone expecting his outing at the All England Club this time to be his swansong, he has entered next week's warm-up event, the Stella Artois.

His preparations also seem to have included underarm work with the razor (chest and legs have been shorn previously, to the amusement of the tabloids) and he was as sharp as a blade against his novice hitting partner yesterday.

It was a dream come true for Eaton, 18, who had seen the eight-time grand slam winner previously only on television. As a bonus, on the next court were Andy Murray and Roddick.

The Daily Telegraph 09/06/2006