A bitterly disappointed Andre Agassi had his hopes of a third U.S. Open title ended by top seed Roger Federer on Thursday but the American again reiterated that he would not be retiring just yet.
In a match held over from Wednesday night because of rain, the 34-year-old, champion in 1994 and 1999, resumed two sets to one down but forced the match into a decider only to be broken in the eighth game as he went down 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
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Many have suggested that this could be Agassi's last year on tour, but the understated way he left the court on Thursday hinted that he will be back for at least one more crack at the title.
"Contrary to what it seems like you're hearing, I (have) never had an intention not to play," Agassi said. "My game plan is to play until I can't do it.
"I'm going to keep going as long as I feel I have the realistic hope of putting together great matches and finding a way to win.
"What I've said for four years now, is if I'm out there forcing the best players in the world to play their best tennis, if I'm out there with other players not looking forward to playing against me, I mean, that's everything it's always been to me on the court.
"At some point my level of play will dictate my decisions. But as of right now, I'm trying to win tournaments, and I believe that with that focus, I can still do that.
"And I feel a sense of responsibility and obligation to give back to a sport that's given me so much in my life."
For much of the match, Agassi dictated play, but the gusting winds which greeted the players on Thursday made great shot-making almost impossible.
"It's taken me 34 years to get myself to not complain about the circumstances and you do your best to deal with it," he said.
"This morning when I woke up, it was about me dealing with it the best I can.
"Hitting the ball in the dead centre of the court was a great shot. Literally, if the ball left my racquet and was in play, it was my advantage. If the ball left his racquet and was in play, he had the advantage in the point."
Victory at the Masters Series event in Cincinnati in August, when he beat Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt on the way to the title, showed that Agassi would be a threat in New York.
"I came in here expecting to make somebody play a great match to beat me," he said.
"With the standard I was playing in Cincinnati and here, it was going to take the highest quality player playing great tennis. There's only so much you can do out there. You've got to just hope it sort of falls your way."
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