MELBOURNE - Andre Agassi was considering his future after leaving the Australian Open following a 3-6, 4-6, 4-6 quarter-final defeat by defending champion Roger Federer.
The 34-year-old four-times champion, who departed Melbourne Park as a loser for only the fourth time, would not be drawn on whether he will return.
"I plan to be back, but a year's a long time," he said. "It's hard to say right now. You know me. I have to play it by ear and make some good decisions."
Agassi gave little away as he waved to the crowd on leaving Rod Laver Arena, but with his 35th birthday just three months away, he knows time is against him.
Federer, the world No 1, had an answer for everything, breaking Agassi early in each set on his way to a comprehensive victory in 99 minutes.
"He just outplayed me, he was too good," Agassi said.
But those who have condemned Agassi to the history books have been proved wrong many times before.
Having burst on to the scene as a brash 16-year-old in 1986, Agassi won the biggest prize of all when he triumphed at Wimbledon in 1992.
After a few years in the doldrums, he staged an unlikely comeback to complete the set of all four Grand Slam titles and become the oldest world No 1 in history.
Five of his eight Grand Slam victories came after his 29th birthday, but though he arrived in Australia saying he was in the shape of his life, it is unlikely the American can carry on much longer.
As for Federer, Agassi thinks the Swiss star has the world at his feet.
"He does everything well and a lot of things great," he said.
"He plays the game beautifully."
- REUTERS
Tennis: Agassi elusive over next step
Andre Agassi
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