Roddick and Agassi hug it out at US Open

Before Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka staged the best women’s final at the Us Open in more than a decade, former champion Andre Agassi returned to the stage of some of his biggest triumphs to be inducted into the tournament’s Court of Champions.

And who better to induct the charismatic American star than another charismatic American star, Andy Roddick?

Agassi competed in the tournament a men’s Open-era record 21 consecutive times, from 1986 through 2006. In 1994, he became the first unseeded player in the Open era to capture the title. He won again in 1999, part of his eight career Grand Slam championships.

“I wish I had the words to describe the sound you make during critical matches, the roar, the applause, the love,” the 42-year-old Agassi told the New York fans during the ceremony. “It’s like a jet engine and a giant heartbeat.”

Agassi’s career was winding down as Roddick was on the rise and in 2003, both won grand slam singles titles and spent brief periods of that year ranked number one.

“He had a whole generation of kids wearing jean shorts and pink tights,” Roddick joked.

Agassi used the opportunity to pay tribute to the retiring Roddick, too.

“Thank you for the years you’ve given us,” he said before the two embraced. “I think I can speak for all of us here today that we are so proud of you.”