Djokovic ‘inspired’ by new coach Agassi
Novak Djokovic hopes his new partnership with tennis great Andre Agassi offers a fresh start as he launches his French Open title defence without a tour triumph since January.
Usurped from the top of the rankings by Andy Murray last November and a shock secondround loser at the Australian Open, Djokovic enters the second major of the season facing the prospect of also relinquishing the last remaining grand slam crown in his possession.
And all this after the Serb departed Paris last year as the first man in almost half a century to complete the non-calendar-year grand slam sweep. But after ending his decade-long union with trusted mentor Marian Vajda, following his split with Boris Becker last December, Djokovic has turned to Agassi to help reverse his fortunes.
“It feels like a new chapter,” the 12-time grand slam champion said ahead of his Roland Garros opener against Marcel Granollers.
Defending champion Serbia’s Novak Djokovic listens to his new coach Andre Agassi.
“It feels like the change that I have experienced in the last three, four weeks, separating with the team that I was with for 10 years, and now kind of creating a new team, creating a new vibe, it feels exciting.
“It feels right at this moment because I was, in the last five, six months struggling a little bit on the court and trying to redefine myself and rediscover what kind of approach is the right one.
“I just felt, and my former team, we all felt we needed a change. We need to go our separate ways, so right now I feel much better on the court.”
A career grand slam winner himself, Agassi’s influence is already showing, with Djokovic reaching his first final last week since winning the season opener in Doha.
“I have played a great week in Rome,” Djokovic said.