Andre Agassi nearly lost a grip on two special
rackets at a benefit auction before his wife, Steffi Graf, bought
them for US$360,000.
In the live auction before Agassi's 11th Grand Slam for Children
on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the tennis star was
almost ready to donate the racket with which he won his first
professional match, and the racket he used in his final U.S. Open.
Bidding topped $320,000 before Graf intervened.
``Those rackets are supposed to stay with us,'' she said after
placing the top bid.
Agassi offered the next highest bidder a free tennis lesson.
``It's all crazy money, so thank you,'' he said from the stage.
In all, $8.6 million was raised at the benefit. Agassi called it
``an amazing night in an amazing year.''
The evening's host, comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres, thanked
those in attendance for giving money to Agassi's cause ``when most
people in Las Vegas give hundreds and hundreds of dollars to the
Wheel of Fortune and Roulette Foundation.''
