Aussie sports stars should dig deeper for charity, champion more causes and do more to help our communities, former US tennis ace Andre Agassi has warned. The four-time Australian Open winner said the biggest names in the game should be as focused on issues off the court, as their performance on it. “I would love to see more tennis players getting involved, more sports stars, there would be more understanding about how much can be done standing shoulder to shoulder,” Agassi said. Melbourne PGA golfer Robert Allenby was among those to echo the sentiment yesterday. Allenby, who had already raised more than $19 million through his charity, Challenge, said that it felt good to give. “I have a high regard for charities that work behind the scenes for people who are sick or disadvantaged,” he said. “To be able to play a game I love as a career, but also give back financially and be a positive role model for sick kids, has been a very satisfying experience.” Agassi’s determination to help underprivileged children through his charitable foundation has earned him widespread praise since he retired in 2006.
