NOTEBOOK: IT'S A NEW BRAND FOR AGASSI.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Andre Agassi will be sporting a new outfit tonight when he takes the court for his first-round match at the Mercedes-Benz Cup.

The tennis legend announced a long-term deal Monday to exclusively wear Adidas footwear and apparel, officially ending a long relationship with Nike.

Agassi said the key reason for the change was Adidas' commitment to support his charitable foundation.

``My foundation is a major component of what I'm trying to structure the next few years around ...,'' Agassi said at a Mercedes-Benz Cup news conference. ``For their own reasons, that wasn't something (Nike and I) could see eye to eye on. It's disappointing, but it's also lent for a great platform to take a step forward.''

Terms of the three-year deal were not disclosed. Agassi, 35, had been under contract with Nike since 1988.

Agassi wore to the news conference a dark blue Adidas shirt with white shoulder stripes and white Adidas tennis shoes that had black stripes.

``I don't know what word to describe it - different, to say the least,'' Agassi said of putting on the new apparel. ``But it's also fun, too. It's the start of a whole new deal.''

Agassi's wife, Steffi Graf, remains under contract with Adidas despite her retirement from tennis. Agassi said Graf's relationship with the company helped in brokering the deal.

``There will be no more fighting in my house (over) what shoes the kids will wear,'' Agassi said. ``So that has a practical impact on my life.''

--New beginnings: Agassi plays tonight for the first time since dropping out of the French Open two months ago with a sciatic nerve in his back. He will face qualifier Jean-Rene Lisnard at 7:30 p.m.

``Coming off eight weeks of not playing, I can't think of a better place for me to come out and try to find my tennis again,'' Agassi said of the Mercedes-Benz Cup. ``It's a tournament I've always played so well at - winning here three times - and can hopefully use as a springboard to my summer.''

The rehab took longer than Agassi expected. He got back on the tennis court to practice only this past week. With Andy Roddick withdrawing from the event, leaving Agassi as the top seed, expectations will be high.

A frustrated Agassi said: ``I come here just hoping it will be about tennis.''

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Andre Agassi sports a shirt bearing the Adidas logo Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Cup, officially ending a long-term deal with Nike.

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press