Agassi had rejected Djokovic’s offer before Graf intervened
Andre Agassi revealed he initially declined to coach Novak Djokovic, only to be convinced by wife and tennis great Steffi Graf.
Struggling to recapture his best form, world No 2 Djokovic surprisingly announced American eight-time grand slam winner Andre Agassi would coach him at the French Open.
Agassi, 47, said it took Steffi Graf – one of the greatest players of all-time after winning 22 majors – to convince him to take the job. “Novak called me about three weeks ago,” Agassi told Tout Le Sport.
“I said no at the start, but my wife said, ‘you should go, you will love it’.” He added: “We had organised a family trip during Roland Garros, it was planned for a long time, so I hope to see one or two of Novak’s matches and try to bring him what I can because a small remark can do a lot.
“What I know, with certainty, is that he can be even better. I think he can only improve, because he will understand how strong he is.” It was at Roland Garros last year that Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam, winning the most recent of his 12 majors. His partnership with Agassi appears set to be a brief one. “The only agreement we have is for Paris,” Agassi said. “Given our discussions, it’s not a full-time job for me.”
EXCITED BY NEW VIBE
Djokovic said he is excited to have created a “new vibe” by inviting Agassi to work with him during the French Open .
World number two Djokovic parted company with his entire coaching team earlier this month, admitting he needed to rediscover his spark after some disappointing results this year.
American eight-times grand slam champion Agassi, 47, has taken on a coaching role for the first time since ending his glittering playing career in 2006.
“It feels like a new chapter. Kind of creating a new team, creating a new vibe, it feels exciting,” the 30-year-old winner of 12 grand slam titles said. “It feels right at this moment because I was, in the last, you know, five, six months, struggling a little bit on the court and trying to re-define myself, rediscover what kind of approach is the right one.”
Djokovic was out on court with 1999 champion Agassi on Friday before the draw ceremony, where he was paired with Spaniard Marcel Granollers.