Former tennis champion Agassi not ready to be a ‘super coach’ just yet

Agassi was regarded as one of the most astute players during a career that brought him eight Grand Slam titles and admits the idea of following his contemporaries into coaching “sounds like a very satisfying experience”.

Andre Agassi, shown here returning the ball to Pete Sampras during a friendly exhibition in 2009, is considering to become the ATP's next 'super coach' but has not fully committed to the idea just yet. AP Photo/Vincent Yu
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Andre Agassi may not yet be ready to become the latest ‘super coach’ to hit the ATP Tour, but admits it is a job he would one day like to do.

The current trend at the top of the men’s game is for former players to coach the leading stars of today.

Ivan Lendl has mentored Britain's Wimbledon champion Andy Murray for two years, while Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg were appointed by Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer respectively ahead of the Australian Open.

Agassi was regarded as one of the most astute players during a career that brought him eight Grand Slam titles and admits the idea of following his contemporaries into coaching “sounds like a very satisfying experience”.

The 43-year-old American is, however, not yet prepared to make the commitment with a young family, his charitable work and equipment line at the peak of his priorities.

“Seeing the game through someone else’s eyes and trying to figure out how to make them better, all that sounds like a very satisfying experience separate from the commitment that is required from being away from home,” he said.

“When you see Ivan and his kids are older now and grown – it is a different time in life for him.

“I don’t know much about Boris and what focus he has or responsibilities. It’s hard to speak for his reasons and motivations.

“I look at it from a distance and I love talking about the game, I love sharing insight about the game.

“I feel like I could certainly contribute a lot because I spent a lot of time learning and studying what the game is and what people are and what they need.

“All that sounds very enjoyable to me except that it is a full-time job. I just don’t have room for that in my life at this stage.”

Not that the American, who won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 1992, is ready to shelve the idea completely.

“Maybe. You can never say never,” he said.

“I’m building schools across the country in America and I have my line of equipment that we have in about 18 countries.

“I’m trying to do that proud. I have multiple challenges that are taking my energies.”

For now Agassi is content limit his tennis commitments to exhibition matches - which he admits he takes a bit too seriously - and he is set to take on old rival Pete Sampras at Earls Court on Monday as part of the World Tennis Day Showdown presented by Financial Times.

“For me just to get on the court and be healthy and know I am hitting the ball well and bring something to the table to a sport that gave me this platform in life is very important to me, so I make time to do that,” he said.

“I never thought it would matter but you push yourself a lot just to make sure everyone is having a good time and you can create some nostalgia.

“I feel like I can step on the court with confidence knowing I can do it just well enough that everybody can go: ‘Oh, I kind of remember that’.

“There’s a country song we have here that says: ‘I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was’. While that might not apply 100 per cent that’s how you like to believe you feel.”

Agassi remains a keen observer of the modern game and humbly assessed that his own record – highlighted by winning all four grand slams – would be far less impressive if he played in the present era.

Rafael Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray have hoovered up most of the major titles in recent years.

Stanislas Warwinka stole a rare success away from the quartet at the Australian Open in January and, while Agassi is impressed by the Swiss, he does not believe it marked the break-up of the ‘Big Four’.

“The ‘Big Four’ have left very slim pickings for anyone else,” he said.

“Had they been around when I was playing I think I’d be thanking the heavens for any slam I could get over the finish line in.

“When I look at how Australia played out it was an odd tournament of sorts - not to take anything away from Stan. The way he played was epic at times and certainly up to the standard of the top four.

“Can Stan continue that standard? Of course he can, but I do believe one has to show it for more than two weeks to make me feel like there is a changing of the guard.”

In any case Agassi expects Murray to kick on from his memorable 2013 – when he ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a male single’s Wimbledon champion – but knows there are some pitfalls with success.

Agassi took two years to win another grand slam after tasting success at SW19. He has a simple remedy for any pains Murray might feel after his breakthrough win though – simply get better.

“Some people struggle with keeping that perspective after they taste victory, either because of the pressure they put on themselves and the expectation that is put on them by others,” he said.

“You can let it fly that first time and things can land for you. When it is expected it is a whole different mind challenge. You eventually learn that is doesn’t matter if you’re favourite or the underdog.

“The only thing that matters is are you getting better and are you pushing yourself to get better.

“Ultimately a champion learns that the only obligation you have to yourself, or the game, or to others is to constantly push yourself to be a better player.

“Once you hit that stride then the rest is just numbers.”

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