What Can Founders Learn From Andre Agassi's Comeback?

David Senra says the lesson in Andre Agassi's comeback is that hating the work is not a reason to quit it. Agassi hated tennis more than ever, but he hated himself more. Millions of people hate what they do for a living and do it anyway, so he could hate tennis and still respect it and himself. He said he was not ready for it to be over, and that he was all in.

He was 27, the age when tennis players start to fade, and he was talking about a second chance. He had not picked up a dumbbell in a year, and he had never been so disgusted with himself. He decided to start in the minor leagues and work his way back up. Staying the same person for the rest of his life felt shameful, so he repeated the word change several times a day. He was reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography and repeating a line he loved: he is master of his fate and captain of his soul. At a dinner, Mandela said people must care for one another and also care for themselves, staying careful in decisions, relationships, and statements so they do not become victims. Agassi felt Mandela was speaking to him, as if Mandela were aware that Agassi had been careless with his talent and his health.

Senra says Agassi was ranked number 141 when interviewers asked which of two players would be number one. Agassi said neither. He said he was going to be number one. They laughed, and he said he meant it.