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Andre Agassi will be working with Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, the Serbian revealed in the aftermath of his defeat to Alexander Zverev on Sunday in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Djokovic confirmed that the pair have been in contact for the past couple of weeks, speaking before every match, and Agassi is now set to join the Belgrade native in Paris for his Roland Garros title defence.
“We are both excited to work together and see where it takes us,” said Djokovic. “We don't have any long-term commitment. It's just us trying to get to know each other in Paris a little bit. He will not stay the whole tournament. He's going to stay only to a certain time, and then we'll see after that what's going to happen. We'll see what the future brings.”
Just ahead of the Mutua Madrid Open earlier this month, Djokovic parted ways with his long-time coach Marian Vajda, having also split with ‘super coach’ Boris Becker at the end of 2016. The World No. 2 explained that it is both for Agassi’s tennis and life experience that he sought out the eight-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1.
“Andre is someone that I have tremendous respect for as a person and as a player,” said Djokovic. “He has been through everything that I'm going through. On the court he understands the game amazingly well. I am enjoying every conversation that I have with him.
“But also, on the other hand, he's someone that nurtures the family values, philanthropy work. He's a very humble man, is very educated. He's a person that can contribute to my life on and off the court a lot. I'm very excited to see what is ahead of us. It's only a couple weeks that we are in communication, but I already feel like we are very kind of close to each other and creating this nice vibe.
“He has been away from the tour for the past 10, 15 years, but speaking with him, he's been definitely following closely all the big matches, especially on the TV. So he knows players, he knows everyone that I was playing against in the past couple of weeks, so we talked before every match, more or less.
“It was obviously his call whether or not he wanted to take that step and try to work with me. He has accepted it, and I'm very grateful for that.”
Djokovic had been looking to win his 31st ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown at the Foro Italico, following a ruthless dismissal of Dominic Thiem the night before in the Italian capital. But the four-time former Rome champion came up against an inspired performance from #NextGenATP star Zverev, who clinched his first ‘Big Title’ in emphatic style with a straight-sets win.

“I congratulate Sascha for his first Masters,” said Djokovic. “He deserved it. He played very good. His backhand was very fast and solid. Not many errors at all and big serve. It was a perfect performance from his side.
“On the other hand, he didn't get much from my side. I played very poorly today. Just couldn't find any rhythm. The conditions were completely different. I haven't played a day match for three, four days already. Just a lot of wind and just very fast and bouncing. I just couldn't find the proper rhythm, proper positioning on the court.
“He used it. I made a lot of unforced errors,” acknowledged the Serbian. “I started the match very poorly. Lost the break. Of course, against a big server like that, he gets a lot of confidence in his game. Basically from the beginning, it wasn't the right match for me.
“I played definitely great all week up to today, and especially last night's performance was amazing. I enjoyed it very much. I will try to take those positives obviously now coming off the court. I’m disappointed with the way I played, especially after the match yesterday, but it is what it is. I have to deal with it.”

After coaching Andre Agassi to a Roland Garros title, ESPN tennis analyst Brad Gilbert believes his former charge has the tennis wisdom to do the same for defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Speaking on an ESPN conference call ahead of Roland Garros, the former No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings shared his thoughts on the partnership. Although some have questioned how successful the new coaching arrangement will be, Gilbert said the similarities in their playing styles could spark a successful relationship.
“Andre played his best tennis from 29 on. Djokovic just turned 30. Today's 30 is like 25 used to be,” said Gilbert. “A lot of times when I'm watching Djokovic, when he's playing at his best, nobody plays closer to the style that Andre played. He hits big, but with safe margins in the court. He doesn't hit a lot of winners, but hits very few unforced errors when he’s playing his best tennis.
“I think it's really exciting that Andre is going to coach for the first time. A lot of players have approached him before. He brings an incredible amount of knowledge, wisdom and passion. It’s just getting to know each other at the start, but I think the potential is there for an exciting partnership.”

Gilbert also discussed the resurgence of Rafael Nadal, who remains an on-paper favourite to win his 10th title at Roland Garros. Although the Spaniard suffered his first loss on clay this year to Dominic Thiem at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, Gilbert doesn’t think the loss will hold much weight heading into Paris.
“He's serving a lot better this year. He doesn't have a massive serve, but his serve really sets up his game. I think his forehand looks as good as it has in the past two or three years,” he said. “He's hitting a lot more aggressively and with more confidence. Those are two aspects of his game that really can lift him. He's playing at an elite level again.”
Having also coached World No. 1 Andy Murray for 16 months from July 2006 to November 2007, Gilbert also believes last year’s Roland Garros finalist can’t be counted out. Although Murray is experiencing a dip in form on clay compared to his stellar 2016, Gilbert said the gritty play required to succeed in Paris is tailor made for Murray’s personality.
“He was dictating play a lot more last year on clay, especially with the forehand," said Gilbert. "Having that balance between offence and defence has been an issue. But he has plenty of time to turn it around. He loves the fight. He’s not about the show and the bling. He loves the guts and working hard.
“I do think the resurgence of Roger Federer and Rafa will only inspire Novak and Andy. For years, Djoker and Murray were chasing them. Now it's back to those guys chasing them again. I think this will inspire Andy to put a little fuel to the fire.”

Milos Raonic and Richard Krajicek have officially parted ways. The Canadian and the 1996 Wimbledon champion started working together this past December, but Raonic confirmed via his Twitter account that their coaching relationship had amicably come to a close.
“My coach, Richard Krajicek, and I have decided to part ways. This decision has been a mutual one,” wrote Raonic. “I would like to thank Richard for his help with my game, his dedication and professionalism. I wish him all the best.”
Raonic is still working with longtime coach Riccardo Piatti. The World No. 6 in the Emirates ATP Rankings is scheduled to kick off his grass-court campaign in two weeks at the Aegon Championships in London.

John McEnroe recently spoke about the players he would love to coach and also spoke about their prospects. To everyone’s surprise, he took mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios’ name along with three others. “For me, I'd say Nick Kyrgios.

Then there's Alexander Zverev too, he's certain to be a No. 1. “I enjoyed training Milos [Raonic] but I identify more with the new Canadian [Denis Shapovalov]. He has a style and personality that's similar to mine. He further added, “They haven’t reached the top yet because Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray are too good, perhaps the best ever, although I'd say it is Rod Laver. “They are good, hungry and talented and young players have sometimes failed to take advantage of their opportunities." He also spoke about the top two players in the world at the moment – Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.


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