NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S HIRE OF AGASSI FOR FRENCH OPEN–AND BEYOND?–MET WITH PRAISE

Written by: on 25th May 2017
French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros
NOVAK DJOKOVIC'S HIRE OF AGASSI FOR FRENCH OPEN--AND BEYOND?--MET WITH PRAISE

epa05989105 Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia returns the ball during a training session with his new coach Andre Agassi (R) of US few days ahead of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 25 May 2017. EPA/YOAN VALAT  |

By Ricky Dimon

 

Novak Djokovic’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia campaign ended with a dud, when he lost to Alexander Zverev in the final last Sunday. But news turned quickly from Djokovic’s on-court shortcomings to what could develop into much better news. Following his defeat, the world No. 2 announced that Andre Agassi is his new coach–at least for the French Open.

 

They will partner on a trial basis at Roland Garros before determining the extent of the player-coach relationship.

 

“That’s what I wanted to let you guys know,” Djokovic told the press in Rome last weekend. “I spoke to Andre the last couple weeks on the phone and we decided to get together in Paris. So he’s going to be there. We’ll see what future brings. We are both excited to work together and see where it takes us.

 

“We don’t have any long-term commitment. It’s just us trying to get to know each other in Paris a little bit. He will not stay the whole tournament; he’s going to stay only to a certain time and then we’ll see after that what’s going to happen.

 

“Obviously, Andre is someone that I have tremendous respect for as a person and as a player. He has been through everything that I’m going through.”

 

Like Djokovic, Agassi completed the career Grand Slam on the red clay of Paris–where he finally triumphed in 1999.

 

“I don’t know Andre that well, because it’s only (been) a couple weeks [since we began] communication. But I already feel like we are very kind of close to each other and creating this nice vibe.

 

“On the court, he understands the game amazingly well. I am enjoying every conversation that I have with him. But also, on the other hand, he’s someone that nurtures the family values, philanthropy work. He’s a very humble man; is very educated. He’s a person that can contribute to my life on and off the court a lot. I’m very excited to see what is ahead of us.”

 

Former pros expressed excitement, as well.

 

‘He hasn’t been able to find a way to get out of that funk he’s been in this year…so sometimes you have to take radical steps,” British star Greg Rusedski said after Djokovic split from his former team and before the Serb hired Agassi. “So I think he was right to let go of his team and do it alone for a little while, but Agassi would be the perfect match.

 

“(They are) two of the greatest returners of all time. Agassi was a guy who was very emotional out there and found a way to get back to the top of the game. In the beginning of his career he was in love, out of love with the sport and he maximized everything to the end of his career. If he can bring that experience that Novak is looking for at the moment into his game and his mindset, then I think there’s no better coach to have on your side.”

 

Boris Becker, who coached Djokovic for several years before exiting at the end of last season, agrees.

 

“Andre’s personality and character, his aura, (and) the fact that he is involved in the Novak Djokovic Foundation is very important,” Becker explained. “I think it’s an excellent fit. Ideally I would have liked them to start in Monte-Carlo and not for the first tournament to be in Roland Garros. It would have given them a bit more time to get used to each other.

 

“But I wish them all the luck in the world and hopefully they have a successful relationship. A lot depends on the next two weeks. But I know Andre very well. I think this could be a winning combination.”

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.

 

Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia arrives with his new coach Andre Agassi (L) of US for a training session few days ahead of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 25 May 2017. EPA/YOAN VALAT

 

 

Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia talks with his new coach Andre Agassi (R) of US during a training session few days ahead of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 25 May 2017. EPA/YOAN VALAT

 

 

Andre Agassi of US looks on during a training session of Novak Djokovic (unseen) of Serbia few days ahead of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 25 May 2017. EPA/YOAN VALAT

 

 

Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia returns the ball during a training session with his new coach Andre Agassi (L) of US few days ahead of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 25 May 2017. EPA/YOAN VALAT

 

 

Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia talks with his new coach Andre Agassi (L) of the USA during a training session few days ahead of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 25 May 2017. EPA/YOAN VALAT

 

Topics: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA thumbnail

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.
TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!
TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!
Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife thumbnail

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos
ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS thumbnail

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.