Agassi reveals 'rock bottom' hell before realizing potential as champion

London, July 7(ANI): Tennis legend Andre Agassi has revealed how he felt lonely and empty from inside despite winning so much in his life, and has thrown light on the various hitches he suffered before realizing his true potential as a champion.

Agassi, who turned professional aged 16, won three major titles by the time he was 25, including Wimbledon (1992), the US Open (1994) and the Australian Open (1995).

However, in 1997 he appeared to have reached rock bottom and came very close to giving up tennis altogether.

"While it appeared I had success and I should have been happy, it wasn't success. It wasn't until I hit rock bottom that I had to take a real hard look at myself," The Sun quoted Agassi, as saying.

"I've never liked myself so little and never hated tennis so much in that moment. I gave myself permission to quit. It was so liberating thinking, 'I never have to do this again'," he added.

Agassi soon rediscovered his love for the game through traveling the world, doing charity work and a rigorous training regime, which eventually breathed new life into him.

The Las Vegas-born star went on to win five more Grand Slams including the French Open (1999), the US Open (1999) and a hat trick of Australian Open titles (2000, 2001 and 2003). (ANI)