London: Andre Agassi said Wimbledon would always occupy a special place in his heart after announcing on Saturday that he would retire from tennis following the US Open later this year.
The 36-year-old Las Vegan won his first grand slam title when he beat Croatian Goran Ivanisevic in the 1992 Wimbledon final and this year will be his last at the grasscourt tournament.
"It's 14 years ago but it feels like yesterday for me, as vivid, as alive as ever," Agassi told a news conference.
"All the chances and attempts I had at winning it again, I won't forget those either. But this was my first one."
Agassi first played at Wimbledon as a rebellious 17-year-old in 1987 but found the surface not to his liking and after a first round defeat by Frenchman Henri Leconte did not bother to return for four years.
"I sort of had to learn some tough lessons in front of a lot of people, one of which was to respect the greatest tournament in our sport," Agassi said.
The Las Vegan, who also reached the final at Wimbledon in 1999 before losing to compatriot Pete Sampras, is one of only five men to win all four grand slams.
"There's been a lot of challenges, but it's been 20, 21 years of incredible, incredible memories," he said.
"I thank you all for embracing my life and my dreams. As a result of that I've grown into the person that I am and that I can keep with me the rest of my life. I'll spend every day and night trying to show my appreciation for these years and I'll always hope that I make you proud."
Injuries and the demands of his young family have disrupted his playing career in recent years but Agassi said his 1999 French Open victory, when he completed his grand slam collection, meant he had no regrets.
"The day I won in Paris was the day I knew I would never have another regret the rest of my career," he said.
"Emotionally it probably hasn't sunk in as much yet. This decision affects more than just me. It affects others as well, starting with my family. I've had great support for what I want to be my call, my shot."
"It's no different than that, the decision to get married, the decision to have children, the decision to change the course of your life. They are all big ones, but hopefully clear ones."
The American plays Serbian Boris Pashanski in the Wimbledon first round and said he was looking forward to his final tilt at glory.
"I have a little bit more work to do this summer," he said.
"Hopefully I can still shoot for some big dreams. I'm here declaring myself ready to play and if I can get through a match or two and get my teeth into this event, I hope to cause problems for the big guys. That's what I intend to do. "I look forward to it ending on my home turf back in New York. Then I embrace the future."
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