Breakers dump Agassi

NEWPORT BEACH — Don’t be surprised to read image still matters to Andre Agassi.

Cameras rolled when Agassi entered a canopy to promote tennis in Newport Beach. No commercial shoot for the world’s former No. 1-ranked player to pitch a camera, just answer questions from reporters.

Agassi noticed the image inside lacked the right tone.

“Why is everyone so depressed?” Agassi asked before the Newport Beach breakers played host to Agassi and the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Agassi fired the first question before taking any Friday. At the end of the night, Agassi failed to answer the call for Philadelphia when it needed him the most.

When Agassi was a pro and became the only male tennis player to claim all four Grand Slams and an Olympic singles gold medal, his nickname was “The Punisher.”

The 39-year-old didn’t live up to it in the final set against Ramon Delgado.

Delgado hammered Agassi in men’s singles, leading the Breakers to a 23-18 victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,000 at Breakers Stadium.

In his final match in his return to World Team Tennis, Agassi’s comeback was short lived, losing 5-3.

“It felt like I was trying to hit a BB,” said Agassi, whose wife, Steffi Graf and their two kids attended the match, his first at any age level in Orange County.

“Ramon is a tough player in this format. He has really swingy serve, quick out of the hands, hard to pick up and read. If things fall right, the set can be over in a hurry.”

To be fair, Agassi played three sets, to Delgado’s two. The ones Delgado was involved in, men’s doubles and singles, the Paraguayan topped Agassi.

Delgado, 32, is also younger than Agassi. The reigning WTT Male MVP also has the Breakers (7-4) on pace to return to the postseason, whereas the Freedoms (4-8) are in a tougher spot.

A victory Sunday at home against the Sacramento Capitals and Newport Beach clinches the Western Conference’s second and final playoff berth.

Delgado played Agassi four times on the ATP Tour. Delgado hasn’t forgotten those matches.

“It was kind of a weird feeling,” Delgado said. “He was my idol when I was young. One time I had two match points and he came back and beat me.

“It’s just an honor to be on the court against him again. I wanted to win, and sometimes it’s tough when you play your idol. I’m glad I finally pulled it off.”

Image is everything, even in WTT action.