The day a tennis legend secured his final major victory

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Andre Agassi's 2003 Australian Open run was more than just a title win; it was a milestone of longevity. At 32 years old, he became the oldest man to claim a major since 1972, marking the final chapter of an elite career.

Andre Agassi secured his eighth and final major title by defeating Rainer Schüttler in the 2003 Australian Open final. The scoreline was a dominant 6–2, 6–2, 6–1. This victory also marked Agassi's fourth title at the Melbourne tournament. Notably, his win extended a streak of 21 consecutive match victories at the Australian Open, a run that spanned from his 2000 title through 2001 and into 2003, despite his absence in 2002 due to injury.

The tournament was defined by significant shifts in the sport's landscape. It saw the first time in the Open Era that no British players competed in the Australian Open, following the withdrawals of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski. It also served as a crossroads for several prominent careers: it was the debut major main-draw appearance for David Ferrer, who lost in the first round to Lee Hyung-taik, while simultaneously marking the final major appearance for Richard Krajicek and the final Australian Open appearance for Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

Agassi's victory at age 32 and 274 days was a feat of endurance that hadn't been seen in the modern era for over three decades. He surpassed the age record previously held by Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972 Australian Open. While the reigning champion Thomas Johansson was unable to defend his title due to injury, Agassi's performance solidified his legacy as one of the most consistent performers in the history of the Australian hardcourts.

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