Coach Agassi splits from Djokovic TENNIS
NOVAK Djokovic’s problems continue to pile up, with Andre Agassi severing their coaching relationship and announcing his departure with a parting shot.
After less than a year the American has concluded that an already limited partnership was not working.
While offering the usual good wishes to his former client for the future, customary on these occasions, Agassi also felt compelled to say: ‘With only the best of intentions I tried to help Novak. We far too often found ourselves agreeing to disagree.’
The two came together prior to the French Open last year, although Agassi always stressed that it was not a fullblown coaching arrangement, even saying that he was working ‘on my own dime’.
Djokovic took the rest of last season off after retiring from his Wimbledon quarterfinal. He made the fourth round of the Australian Open in January and then had a procedure on his elbow. He returned for this month’s Masters events in Miami but looked completely at odds with himself in losing his opening matches at both events to inferior opposition.
Afterwards he admitted he did not know what his plans were, suggesting he was unsure whether he would feature at the forthcoming Monte Carlo Open, which takes place in his adopted hometown.
He continues to work with former Czech player Radek Stepanek, although he was absent from Miami as well, said to be at home with his partner who is now expecting their first child.