Multiple grand slam champion Andre Agassi believes he ‘shook the cage enough so tennis could benefit’ during his collaboration with world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
Agassi coached the Serbian alongside Radek Stepanek for less than a year between 2017-2018. The two ended their partnership last March on ‘mutual grounds,’ but it was later revealed that there was a range of disagreements between them. At the time Djokovic was returning to the tour from a serious elbow injury and underwent further surgery to treat the problem.
“No, I’m not regretful. I am very happy. The reason why I tried to help him or hope that I could help him, was because tennis deserves this.” Agassi said during an interview with The Times of India.
“What he was capable of was never in question. He has his own tortured process, as we all do, and I truly believed that I could have helped him and then I truly believed I couldn’t help him.”
It is the respect the 48-year-old has for Djokovic that contributed to their separation. Djokovic’s persistence and determination to play on the tour whilst continuing his recovery from injury was one that frustrated Agassi. So much, that he decided he could no longer be a member of the team.
“He was never healthy two days in a row with his elbow and I live by one clear philosophy, which is if you don’t listen to your body, your body is not going to listen to you. So we need to heal. But unlike me, when I played, he loves the game, he wants to play and he wants to run and he wants to find his way to get through the injury and playing injured is just not responsible. That I can’t support that because I’d be hurting the very person I’m claiming I care about and I’d be doing the very thing for tennis that I’m trying not to do.”
Following Agassi’s departure, Djokovic reunited with former mentor Marian Vajda. Under his guidance, he has surged back to the top of the sport. Winning three consecutive grand slam titles since june, two Masters 1000 trophies and became the oldest player in history to finish a season ranked No.1. At the Laureus Awards, which is dubbed the Oscars of the sports world, Djokovic was named sportsman of the year.
“I felt like I learnt a lot and I felt like in some way I shook the cage enough that tennis could benefit. To be clear, first night we were together, I told him he doesn’t need me.” Agassi explained.
“Whatever formula he has with his team is a very powerful one that he relies on because of who he is and it’s not something I am capable of doing or pretending or any of that. I am who I am and I only wish him the best and I root for him because tennis deserves it.”
The grand slam tally
Already a 15-time champion in the majors, many are tipping Djokovic to break rival Roger Federer’s record. Federer currently has 20 grand slam titles to his name, but is six years older than him. In between the two players is 32-year-old Rafael Nadal with 17 titles, including 11 at the French Open alone.
“I mean I am from Vegas, so I have to make a bet right, if I have to make a bet, what is he at? 15? So two more for three years? Yes. Now, you also have children, you also have priorities in life, but if he wants to, he will.” Said Agassi.
Should he win the French Open, Djokovic would hold all four of the major titles at the same time for the second time in his career. Something that has never been achieved by any other member of the Big Four.
Agassi remains coy to deciding who should have the ultimate title of Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). The topic has been extensively debated in the sport with numerous players having strong cases for the accolade. Ranging From Federer’s 99 ATP titles to Nadal’s dominance on the clay. However, who does Agassi think can play the highest level of tennis?
“If somebody is playing their best tennis – which is different from the Best Of All Time – let me make that clear, then the highest standard of tennis that I’ve ever seen is when Novak is playing his best tennis.” He concluded.
Djokovic will return to the tour next month at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
