Agassi's 1996 victory in Cincinnati gave him the 34th title of his career, but he would not lift another trophy for more than a year. His attention, as did the rest of the world's, turned to his relationship with Brooke Shields.

His ranking spiralled to 141 and his career looked finished. But in November 1997, Agassi resolved to give tennis another go and in 1998, with the help of Gilbert and trainer Gil Reyes, he returned fitter, mentally stronger and 20 pounds lighter.

"The questions were all over the place, and knocking them down one by one, it's given me a strength and a peace I am overwhelmed with," he said later.