By Simon Cambers
New York - Andre Agassi believes the unique atmosphere at Flushing Meadows can inspire him to a third US Open title.
In a sport where 30 is regarded as old, time is running out for the Las Vegan who continues to defy convention and will be playing his 20th consecutive Open.
"It's the closest tournament to my heart," Agassi said at a launch for his new sponsors, Adidas.
"I don't think there's any environment like it in the world of sports. It's so unique, especially for a night match."
Agassi, champion in 1994 and 1999, struggled early in the year with a back problem, yet even at the age of 35 he is one of only a handful of players who can realistically win the title.
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After missing Wimbledon because of his injury, Agassi returned to take the title in Los Angeles and reach the final of the Montreal Masters a fortnight ago.
Others discuss when he will retire. Agassi prefers to talk of his hopes for another strong showing when the final grand slam of 2005 opens on Monday.
"I feel good. It's been a great summer and I couldn't ask to be in a better position going into the US Open. I'm playing well," Agassi said.
"I had my last injection at the start of the summer and I didn't need another one so that's a good sign.
"The sports fans here are very knowledgeable, they expect you to lay it on the line and I've come to really appreciate that. I have some great memories and some heartbreaks too."
Winner of eight grand slam titles and one of just five men to have won the sport's big four events, Agassi will open against Romanian Razvan Sabau.
"The first round is always awkward, more so when you don't know a player," Agassi said.
"But hopefully we'll get some scouting, get some good practice in. Once I get into the tournament I feel like I can get better quickly and I give myself a good chance."
Promising Czech teenager Tomas Berdych could be waiting in the third round while Rafael Nadal, the French Open champion and the man who beat Agassi in the Montreal final, is a likely quarter-final opponent.
"It's easy to see why he's had such success," Agassi said. "But if I have an opportunity here then I'll look forward to it - I couldn't have a better opportunity than at the US Open."
World number one Roger Federer, who beat him in an epic five-set quarter-final last year, is in the other half of the draw.
"Something tells me you're going to have to beat Roger to win the tournament anyhow," Agassi said. "Seeing that he's won 22 consecutive finals maybe it's better to play him in the semis.
"But look how many former US Open champions are in the field - (Lleyton) Hewitt, (Marat) Safin, (Andy) Roddick and myself.
"A lot of guys have experienced the final weekend. The way Nadal is playing, you have to include him, but it's how you execute when you're asked to play your best tennis.
"There's a handful of guys who have that ability and they're the ones who win."
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