Eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi has praised reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Roger Federer’s conduct on and off the court.
Agassi, who was one of the most dominant tennis forces alongside fellow American great Pete Sampras in the 1990s and early 2000s, has hailed the 20-time Grand Slam winner for the incredible amount of success the Swiss has achieved in his 20-year-old career.
Agassi, who held the record for being the oldest No. 1 in tennis history before Federer went on to eclipse it in February, acknowledged the Basel native has exceeded all his expectations and he deserves all the accolades he is getting right now.
“Watching him is watching history,” Agassi told TIME.
“You see it every time with the way he conducts himself—with the fans, with his peers, with the media.
“I just have more appreciation than the average fan because he makes it look so easy and I actually think I know what it takes.
“And it’s truly remarkable.
“He’s played a long time, certainly longer than me and surpassed me as the oldest number one, and he deserves to hold all those accolades.”
World No. 2 Federer is in Stuttgart this week, competing in the Mercedes Cup, where he will have the opportunity to replace good friend and rival Rafael Nadal from the top of the men’s rankings. Federer will have to win the tournament if he wants to regain the World No. 1 crown ahead of his favourite Grand Slam, Wimbledon.
Federer, who will be the overwhelming favourite to claim a record ninth title at the All England Club next month, will participate in the Gerry Weber Open in Halle next week, where he will look to defend his title.
