A tribute to Jim Courier

Send your tributes to jimcourierfan@yahoo.com

"The decision's been made since late January . . ."

JIM COURIER knew it.

Jim throws his racquet. He is angry at his performance in a tennis match. But he remains . . . for he loves the game, and is willing to give his soul to win it.

In spite of 27 professional tennis tournament titles, 4 grand slams and earning more than $50 million in prize money and endorsements, he knew that somewhere along the way, he would have to bid farewell to the game that brought him success. And he did.

After 13 years of blood, sweat and guts, Jim Courier retired from tennis on May 8, 2000

"It was a gradual feeling where my enthusiasm to train and prepare started waning. I was not enthusiastic when I was getting ready to play the matches. i was to the point where I was almost going to start going through the motions.""

"I've been fighting it for seven or eight years," Courier said. "Your enthusiasm ebbs. There was a transition where tennis was my life and somewhere along the way, life became more important than tennis."

Photo Courtesy of Sylvia

"If I'm not able to fully commit to play tennis then I shouldn't be out there doing it. I don't want to be disrespectful to the game by going out there and giving a half part of effort. I'm either all or nothing. And when I realized that I was no longer willing to commit fully to it, that's when I knew it was time for me to step down."--JIM COURIER

And they say . . .

"Jim was the epitome of a hard worker . . . He was very, very intense. He forced everybody on tour to re-evaluate their training system, to work harder. he was such a physical presence, such a competitor. He made tennis better." --Andre Agassi (Davis Cup Teammate)

"I don't think it is a sad day, it's a great day for him. He is going to move on to bigger and better things. He was as intense as anybody has ever been on the court."--Todd Martin

"Jim Courier has elevated the intensity level on the ATP Tour . . . His legacy as a fierce competitor will continue to prevail long into his retirement, as will his stature as a true champion on the tour."--ATP CEO Mark Miles

And we say . . .

I have no other tribute to give than my life. His strength, his individuality and the way he did everything all or nothing, sweating blood and dedicating himself with all his heart saved me from ending the hardest time of my young life in suicide. I won't ever be able to give him back one per cent of what I should, and this is probably what troubles me most. I am 21 now and I've been a fan of Jim Courier for the half of my life; that's still not long enough. He is by far the most remarkable man in tennis and he will always be my hero.

--MIRIAM, GERMANY

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"I haven't been a tennis fan for long - but Jim was an instant hit with me. The best matches that I saw have to be in Birmingham, Davis Cup which I watched on TV when he beat the British. I'm British but I was rooting for Jim!

I have had the pleasure of seeing him play live - at Queens 1999 in the doubles with his friend Mark Knowles, in Boston July 99, in the Davis Cup and also at what turned out to be his last Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne in January 2000. I wouldn't trade those days for anything in the world. I'll treasure my video collection and my photos forever!

Hearing the news of his retirement was very sad, but I understand the reasons. He is happy - what else matters?

I wish him luck and continued happiness in all that he chooses to do. And if I had the opportunity to speak to him in person, I would simply want to say a huge THANK YOU for bringing me, and so many others, so much pleasure. Maybe, just maybe, I will get the chance.....one day!"

--JOYCE ROYLE, UK

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"It's hard to describe in just a few words what Jim brought to me. With him, I discovered tennis which is now part of my life and I learnt that work is essential to succeed. Jim was a great tennis player but above all he's an accomplished guy, so open-minded and so likeable that I just admire him a lot and I try to take inspiration from him. I'm gonna miss him a lot because during 8 years, he's made me live wonderful moments of joy, sadness also and so many thrilling situations. I wish I could meet him even during only 30 seconds, just to tell him two words: thank you."

--LAURENCE, FRANCE 21 years old

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"I saw him on TV. And I could never forget the first time he was raised by his teammates after winning the Davis Cup for the United States. I could never forget the time when he won the 1993 Australian Open against the resilient Stefan Edberg. I could never forget when he almost fell down under the heat, but still managed to win his way against the best in the world.

I don't know Jim Courier. And I've never met him in my life. I've seen him play his best matches. And I've seen him play his worst. But I was there, and have been there, since I was 10 yrs. old.

Now, I am 18, and he just announced his retirement. He may still be there, hanging out, hitting a few balls. But I know that I will never ever get to see him play a professional tennis match, live. But you know what, I don't care, because he is happy."

--RICA, PHILIPPINES