Learnings from a champion: Andre Agassi's core principles for success in sport and business

• Agassi’s Innovations: Transforming Tennis and Beyond
• Inspiring New Generations: The Power of Comebacks
• Mental Health Matters: Its Importance in Sport
• What does the future of sport look like, Andre Agassi?
• In a nutshell - what you can learn from Andre Agassi:

ISPO.com: Which innovations have had the biggest impact on the sport in recent years in your eyes?

Well, I can't really say anything about all sports. The technology and the way sports are televised seems to have changed dramatically - both in tennis and in sports that I'm not that deep into. You can follow the curve of the ball or the puck, have the ability to provide statistics and relevant information to better understand the sport. That's incredible.

The innovations in strings and racquets in tennis and pickleball are also helping to improve the control and implementation of certain playing techniques. There are so many ways in which the sport can grow. Athletes are perhaps the biggest innovation of all. They are getting better and also faster.

ISPO.com: You mentioned how important the opinion of your children is to you. What innovation is most important for new generations in sports?

You always have to find ways to improve. Innovations in the field of training science, in terms of recovery and those that ensure that you build muscles in a way that they can fully develop in the course of a specific sport. I see a lot of that. Technology can also help children to better understand the sport they grow up with and love at a young age.

ISPO.com: When we talk about what inspires people and what makes sports exciting, not just for future generations, but for every generation, this is your story: You dropped to 141st in the world rankings, then had an extraordinary comeback and became Grand Slam champion again. We all wonder what drove you at that moment. Can you share your experience to inspire others to make a comeback?

I wanted to give up but felt it wasn’t the end. I had a deep desire to rediscover my potential. Sometimes, you can only improve after facing your worst side. At my lowest point, I felt that I could get better every day. I didn't know what I was actually capable of again, but I knew that I could improve every day.

Improving daily became my method for success, no matter the circumstances. I always had the opportunity, and indeed the responsibility, to get better, right? So I was much more concerned with the process than the result. And I think that gave me a deep appreciation for a game that I struggled with for a long time in the early years of my career. Of course, it also took a lot out of me: a lot of brain power, a lot of thinking, a lot of self-reflection.

ISPO.com: So it also has something to do with mental health. How do you reconcile that?

It's certainly not easy to be vulnerable, but I think vulnerability is important for growth, whether in sports or in life.

On the one hand it was difficult because I always knew where I wasn't, but on the other hand it was also extremely liberating: being where I was fine as long as I pushed myself to improve. Talking about mental health issues is crucial – what remains hidden can’t be healed. And if you really disclose what you're struggling with, you have a chance to heal. More people are now willing to do so.

ISPO.com: What can others learn from this? Maybe people who have lost their passion for the sport or never really had it.

Well, I'm not sure what passion really means. I think it's important to define success wisely.

If you've lost your motivation, it's usually distraction or an identity problem. People usually project. I encourage people to look inward and ensure their identity shapes their actions, rather than letting their actions define them.

ISPO.com: What do you think is the future of sports? What can help create great emotions, improve accessibility or also provide opportunities? Not only for athletes, but also for fans?

I think technology plays a big role overall. I've seen the new stadiums in my hometown of Las Vegas and it allows for such interactivity with the fans. Or when I watch the US Open and see what IBM is doing in terms of data communication with the fans. There are so many opportunities for fans to get involved and it all seems to happen through technology and delivering that live experience.

Communication in sports now shows the performance of the NFL players in detail, the precision of the precision of European soccer or the speed of tennis players by showing the spin, for example. It's simply about giving the fan an as accurate an impression as possible of what is actually happening.

ISPO.com: The global sports business is also discussing all of these questions. What message would you like to give this community? What should the sports industry do in the future and what should it pay attention to?

It is important to be interested in new inventions and innovations, to improve and to learn new things. Sharing knowledge and being inspired is just as important. I think that at ISPO Munich, for example, everyone can really learn from each other. To then implement the inspiration and come back next year and show how what has been learned has been implemented is an ideal opportunity to drive the industry forward.

ISPO.com: It was your first time here at ISPO Munich. How was it?

Oh, it was a great experience here in Munich. Seeing behind the scenes how the sports world comes together to talk about technology and innovation is great. Everyone here is pushing to make sport bigger and better. So what a great place to express your vision and passion. It was a great experience.

The learnings and ups and downs from Andre Agassi's career also contain some valuable lessons for your business and can be transferred to the sports industry.

The lessons Agassi draws from his sometimes difficult relationship with tennis offer universal learning potential:

• Resilience: Even at his lowest point, Agassi didn't give up. Instead, he rebuilt himself without focusing solely on the goal. His focus was on the process. Back on the road to success, he proved that setbacks can be a springboard.
• Discipline: His commitment to fitness and training illustrates the power of continuity and persistence.
• Authenticity: Agassi's charisma and success were built on his personality. They made him likeable and showed how important it is to stay true to yourself. He brought his personality to the things that were important to him and, on the other hand, did not allow himself to be defined by his actions alone. Agassi's ability to own his mistakes, learn from them and emerge stronger and use that success for good is a universal message of hope.
  And even after his career as a professional tennis player, his commitment offers inspiration in many ways, for example in areas such as social sustainability or doing business for the common good:
• Purpose Beyond Self: His transition from tennis to philanthropy emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the personal success or to be guided by an overarching vision.
• Impact through education: Agassi's work demonstrates how individuals can create lasting change by focusing on fundamental issues such as education.
  These lessons reveal the power of passion and purpose, a combination that, while not uncommon in the sports industry, must be carried through to success. Agassi's life is a blueprint for turning personal success into a benefit for others – a lesson that will resonate with leaders across all sectors.