Agassi Takes Centre Stage
In his last ever appearance at the US Open Andre Agassi has been given the showcase Arthur Ashe court.
The 36 year old American plays Andrei Pavel in his 21st straight, and last, appearance at Flushing Meadows before retiring.
Agassi, the 1994 and 1999 champion, has been battling a persistent back injury but is determined to put on a show.
“I’m sure I’m underestimating everything I’m going to feel and experience,” he said.
“This has been the stage to prove myself over the years.”
“I grew into loving this more than any place in the world so I look forward to sharing one more go-around.”
More than 200 players turned out to pay tribute to Agassi at an ATP players’ meeting on the eve of the tournament and gave him a two-minute standing ovation.
Lindsay Davenport is due on court before Agassi, if she shakes off an injury, and French Open winner Justine Henin-Hardenne opens the action.
Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Josh Goodall play on Tuesday.
Henin-Hardenne, who won the title in 2003, is first out on Arthur Ashe at 1630 BST against Italy’s Maria Elena Camerin.
The Belgian second seed will be followed on court by the male winner from the same year, American Andy Roddick, who will be looking to rediscover his best form against Frenchman Florent Serra.
Davenport is then due to face Czech Klara Zakopolova but the American 10th seed is struggling with a shoulder injury.
Over on Grandstand Court, American teenager Donald Young opens up the action against rising Serbian star Novak Djokovic.
World number one Roger Federer begins his quest for a hat-trick of US Open titles against Taiwan’s Yeu-Tzuoo Wang on Tuesday.
Only John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl have won three in a row in the open era - Lendl was the last to achieve the feat in 1987.
Spain’s French Open champion Rafael Nadal could be in for a tricky first-round encounter against Australian wildcard Mark Philippoussis on Tuesday.
British fans are at least guaranteed one player in the second round as Henman and Rusedski have been drawn against each other.
Murray meets American qualifier Robert Kendrick, whom he beat 6-0 6-0 in July at the Hall of Fame Championship.
Goodall came through qualifying to reach the US Open for the first time and faces Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu in the first round.
