Andre Agassi was unable to showcase his true potential when making his Grand Slam debut at the 1986 US Open.
Agassi won a total of eight Grand Slam titles in his career, including two US Open victories.
However, the first of his major title victories did not come until 1992, which was six years after Agassi made his Grand Slam debut at the 1986 US Open.
Agassi was just 16 years old when he made his Grand Slam debut at the 1986 US Open, where he lost in the first round.
Jeremy Bates beat Andre Agassi in his first ever match at the US Open
A 16-year-old Agassi received a wildcard for the 1986 US Open, where he was drawn to play against British tennis player Jeremy Bates.
Agassi was the world number 128 at the time of his encounter against Bates, who was the world number 105.
Despite his clear potential, Agassi was beaten in four sets by Bates, who won their match 7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
This was also a historic victory for Bates, who had lost in the first round of his eight previous Grand Slam main draw appearances.
Bates would then comfortably lose in the second round of the US Open that year, and he would only play Agassi once more in his career.
This would come at the Miami Open in 1988, and on this occasion it was Agassi who would get the better of Bates, dropping just three games in his straight sets victory over the Brit.
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Although Bates would take some time to obtain his first Grand Slam win, he did go on to achieve success in his career from this point.
From a singles point of view, Bates reached a career-high ranking of world number 54, won one ATP title and achieved his best Grand Slam result at Wimbledon after reaching the fourth round in both 1992 and 1994.
Bates achieved his best career results in doubles, having won two Grand Slam titles in mixed doubles and reached the Australian Open men’s doubles final in 1988.
Since retiring from professional tennis in 1996, Bates has remained in tennis as a coach for the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association).
This has included Bates coaching both Katie Boulter and Anne Keothavong, and being Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain between 2004 and 2006.
Bates also helped Emma Raducanu at Indian Wells in 2021, straight after she became a Grand Slam champion at the US Open.
