Champions pay tribute to Agassi

Grand slam champions lined up to pay tribute to Andre Agassi on Saturday after the American announced he would retire from tennis at this year's US Open.

"He'll go down as one of the guys that changed our sport in many ways," said 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt.

"Not only by the way he played the game but the way he conducted himself both on and off court.

"There are not too many more recognisable people out there in tennis. The sport probably owes a lot to him."

Australian Hewitt won his first ATP title in Adelaide in 1998 after beating Agassi in the semi-finals and he added: "For me growing up, he was an idol."

Double French Open champion Rafael Nadal hailed Agassi's achievement in winning all four grand slams in his career, a feat only four other men have accomplished.

"He's a legend," said Nadal, who was only six years old when Agassi won Wimbledon in 1992.

"If you look at history, it is very difficult to win on all the surfaces."

Five-times women's grand slam champion Martina Hingis said: "He's an inspiration in many ways.

"I don't think there will ever be another Andre Agassi, times change. I am sure tennis will miss him."