Champions pay tribute to Agassi

LONDON, June 24 (Reuters) Grand slam champions today lined up to pay tribute to Andre Agassi 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, the kind of character he was.

''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. Especially on grass, I drew a lot of confidence from watching him win Wimbledon.'' 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.

''Agassi really played good. You need to have a very complete game and that's very, very difficult. Only special players can do that.'' Five-times women's grand slam champion Martina Hingis said: ''He's an inspiration in many ways.

''You have to wait many years for such a personality to come along. I don't think there will ever be another Andre Agassi, times change. I am sure tennis will miss him.'' REUTERS SB RS2327