WIMBLEDON MEDIA LOVE AGASSI, LEAVE COURIER

Reigning Wimbledon men's champion (and No. 8 seed) Andre Agassi entertained more than a hundred journalists last week at a post-match press conference that produced not one serious question about his tennis. It dwelled for almost half an hour on his wrist injury, his clothes, his hair, his new racket, and ... Barbra Streisand.

He was followed a few minutes later by No. 3 seed Jim Courier, the top money-winner this year, a recent world's No. 1 player, and a winner of four Grand Slam titles.

Only seven journalists stayed to talk with Courier. The first question: "Do you mind that most of the press have gone?"

"Not at all," Courier said with a wry smile. "If I win this event one of these years, I don't think it'll be the same, but I haven't made it to the semifinals yet...." At press time, he was to face South African Wayne Ferreira.

Courier talked about how burned out he was after his defeat in the French Open final early in June, and how he put up with double jet lag to take a few days on the beach at home in Florida before Wimbledon.

"Being home is a lot different than being in a hotel room, no matter how nice the hotel or city. It's where you have your car, your clothes, your friends. You're in your environment. I've decided never to be away from home for more than a month at a time."