Agassi will coach Novak at French

ROME — Novak Djokovic announced that Andre Agassi will coach him at the French Open, which starts next Sunday.

Speaking after his, 6-4, 6-3, loss to Alexander Zverev in the Italian Open final on Sunday, Djokovic said, “Andre is someone who I have tremendous respect for. ... He’s someone who can contribute to my life on and off the court.”

The second-ranked Djokovic split with longtime coach Marian Vajda and two other team members at the start of the month.

Djokovic said he talked on the phone with Agassi for the last couple of weeks, but that the pair has no longterm commitment. Agassi, who retired in 2006, won eight Grand Slam titles.

“We’ll see where it takes us,” said Djokovic, who has won 12 Grand Slam titles. “He will not stay whole tournament.”

Djokovic could have used Agassi’s help in Rome.

The 20-year-old Zverev became the youngest player to win a Masters 1000 event since Djokovic won in Miami a decade ago at 19.

Elina Svitolina beat Simona Halep 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the women's final. It was a tour-best fourth title this year for Svitolina.