With Agassi's retirement, the hope of American tennis is being placed at the hands of Andy Roddick, and it's looking like emulating Andre's tennis is not just what he had in mind. If the gossip is true, he's getting himself the current tennis princess to boot.

He's just turned 24. She's 19. In the heat of the current U.S. Open, they're both advancing to the semifinals. Watch them play, and you'll think that they're teaching each other how to serve big. They lead the pack in that department. We'll see how far that will bring these two by the end of the weekend.

So are the rumors true?

He said: “We're not dating. I’ve said it a million times already, but you guys refuse to write it. You know, we’re friendly. We’re in the same places. I think she’s a great girl. You know, we’ll talk. That’s about it.”

She said: “You know what, I really don’t talk about my personal life. When two tennis players know each other and are friends, and are known around the world, there’s people are gonna talk. That’s exactly what’s happening.”

Read between the lines - - Surely their fans won't mind if their words bounce “long and wide.”

As for the girls, I'm hoping Justine Henin-Hardenne will do well. After losing Wimbledon to Amelie Mauresmo, this one can be hers for the taking. This year's French Open champion (and last year's too) has battled plenty of injuries to come back to her form, and there's something about her demeanor that reminds me of Steffi Graf (who, for me, is the best tennis player ever). I believe Maria Sharapova is pretty, and talented to boot, but I her grunting bothers me. It's just too much. Well, that's just me. I'm sure a lot of the guys would disagree.

But the highlight of this year's U.S. Open, whether he does well or otherwise, will be Andre Agassi. He's hanging up his racket after this one, so there certainly would be lots of love for the veteran player. The whole Arthur Ashe stadium would be rooting for him, that's for sure. Maybe he'll manage to make some magic happen again. Like last year - when he reached the final. So what if Federer won the title? He's the best this guy has ever played with anyway. He's going to be missed. That pigeon-toed walk, those bright, "unbelievably cordial" eyes (according to his wife, he's perfect!), the kiss he blows every corner after a match, and a lot of other things about this legend. He brought much life to tennis. A sport a lot of people found too sad and boring. His accomplishments are unquestionable, he helps a lot of people with his charitable works, he’s married to Steffi Graf (who retired in 1999), and, boy, don’t they have adorable children! Normally, this stuff, I don’t mind much. Tennis is what matters. The game, the determination of the players, those sweeping volleys, punishing forehands, powerful backhands, and graceful footwork. But how many times in history has someone from the courts find a match that proved to be perfect beyond everything tennis has to offer? I became an avid tennis fan just recently, and browsing everything that’s been said about this couple, I’m suddenly a fan.

But for now, let’s focus on the present. Let the games begin. Soon.