STARS IN BARTY’S COURT

ANDRE Agassi has a special reason to be on the Ashleigh Barty bandwagon as Australia’s new darling of tennis eyes a spot in the second week of her home grand slam for the first time.

Agassi yesterday recalled the time eight years ago when he and wife Steffi Graf — tennis’s most famous and successful couple — hosted Barty for a week in Las Vegas hoping to offer the wide-eyed youngster some important life lessons.

Barty was only 13 at the time but already earmarked for greatness, having announced her arrival on the junior scene with a series of spectacular wins over international rivals many years her senior.

“I remember and I’m always rooting for her, that’s for sure,” Agassi said at Melbourne Park during a Lavazza promo.

“I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to be on the court with her for any period of time. Most of the conversations just had to do with what the crazy life of tennis throws at you.”

In Vegas, Barty also received specialist tuition from Agassi’s former coach and fellow Australian Darren Cahill and attended a baseball game with Graf. But the highlight of her stay was bonding with Agassi’s legendary conditioner Gil Reyes.

Barty ended their session with a trip to the famed heartbreak hill, where Agassi spent countless hours preparing himself for grand slam success.

“Gil has amazing stories that he tells to us with a huge amount of passion and pride,” Barty said at the time.