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by Ed Zafian This week "The Line Judge" takes a look at three of the most charismatic players on the ATP Tour. They have not seen much (or any!) court time in 2002, but have been making more news off-the court as the attempt to come back from injury. Mr. Ed take's a look at what they have been doing on late and makes some fearless forecast for them in 2002.
This week, Agassi spoke to the LA Times and shed a little more light on the subject. "It was no
calculated choice of road, I assure you" Agassi said of the decision. "Time" seemed be the main topic
on Agassi's mind when speaking of both his injury and Gilbert. On his injury, Agassi said "I don't have the
luxury of the next 20 years. What I need to do, I need to do quick. I need not to waste time, get healthy
and get directed and get focused." This was echoed later, when discussing the split with Gilbert, Agassi
stated that "He (Gilbert) is looking toward the next 20 years and I'm looking toward the next few."
So it appears Agassi is looking to shake up his roller coaster career one more time. The likely candidate to
help him do that - the recently unemployed Darren Cahill. Cahill was half of the last coaching shocker
change as he and top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt went their separate ways late last year. Both Agassi and Cahill
appear ready and eager to join forces. Agassi said "there's a strong likelihood it will happen" while
Cahill told an Australian newspaper "I can't see any reason why it won't happen."
Agassi is next scheduled to play in San Jose at the end of this month. There is talk of the trial period for the
new coaching arrangement lasting at least through the Nasdaq-100 Open (formerly Ericsson, formerly
Lipton, formerly at Key Biscayne).
Fearless Forecast: Agassi will still be a force to reckon with on the Tour this year, but don't look
for any major titles or Slams with his still questionable wrist and newborn son as a very justifiable
distraction.
The Australian Open has never been kind to Gustavo Kuerten. This year was no exception as the Brazilian was bounced in the first round. Not unlike Agassi, Kuerten quickly and quietly fled Australia quickly to receive medical treatment. However, while recovering from the right hip injury Kuerten has been filming commercials for Guarana Kuat, an apparently popular Brazilian beverage made by the Coca-Cola Company. Despite the cries from his countrymen (and probably just as many of his countrywomen), Patrick Rafter was not back on the courts of Melbourne last month. At the end of last year, Rafter tentatively retired from the game. But as with Agassi, the clock is ticking very loudly regarding another run at the Wimbledon title. However, Rafter is no where to be seen. Long-time coach/mentor, Tony Roche said Rafter would need to "make a decision (by April) whether he's going to make a comeback or not. I haven't spoken to him, he's a hard man to catch. He's enjoying his time off, he's seeing a lot of Australia which is what he's always wanted to do and spending a lot of time with good friends."
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