Darren Cahill has told an interesting story about Andre Agassi as the Australian coach reveals the American's dad wanted the tennis icon to retire instantly following a thriller US Open win over Marcos Baghdatis.
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After struggling with a back issue throughout the entire 2006 season, the former eight-time Grand Slam champion decided to retire in front of his home fans at Flushing Meadows.
At the start of his farewell, the American overcame Andrei Pavel in four sets before edging out Baghdatis in the second round 6-4 6-4 3-6 5-7 7-5.
Considering that Agassi was in pain during the match and still managed to beat a 15 years younger opponent after putting up such a big fight, his father Emmanuel thought it would be proper for the former world No. 1 to have that as the last match of his career.
However, the former two-time US Open champion rejected that option and his career came to an end following a four-set defeat to Benjamin Becker in the third round.
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Cahill: Agassi's dad came to me and told me, 'pull him out'
He had that one match against Baghdatis at the US Open, which was the perfect goodbye," the Australian coach said on Caroline Garcia's Tennis Insider Club podcast.
"I know he ended up losing Benjamin Becker and the next round. But for us, that match against Baghdatis was the perfect goodbye. And the way he played... The drama of the match, it was the perfect way.
"Even his dad came up to me after the match and said, That's it, pull him out.'
"We all spoke to Andre about maybe pulling out after the match, but he wanted to finish with a record in his hands, which was good.
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After ending his eight-year partnership with Brad Gilbert, Agassi brought in Cahill in 2002.
They collaborated until the American's retirement and the former world No. 1 won one Grand Slam title during their stint.
In the last few years, Cahill has been working with Jannik Sinner, who is now regarded as the best player in the world.
