By BD Narayankar
Bengaluru, Dec 11 (UNI) Andre Agassi, the legendary tennis icon, on Wednesday shared his thoughts on two of the sport’s biggest stars, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, at the Marathon Mindset event here.
Agassi, known for his candid insights and deep understanding of the game, offered a nuanced perspective on the future of tennis, praising the remarkable potential of Alcaraz while contemplating the emotional and physical endurance required for Djokovic to extend his unparalleled career.
Alcaraz, the Spanish prodigy who has taken the tennis world by storm, was the first subject of Agassi’s reflections. The 21-year-old has already amassed an impressive resume, and Agassi sees in him the traits of three of tennis’s all-time greats.
"Alcaraz defends like Novak, has power and spin like Nadal, and has hands and finesse like Federer," Agassi said, replying to a UNI query on his thoughts on new crop of top players like Alacaraz and Jannik Sinner.
But Agassi was quick to temper his enthusiasm with a reminder: raw ability alone does not guarantee sustained greatness. "Just because he has the best of all those three doesn’t mean he can do what they did," he cautioned. "Decision-making, injuries, and luck play such a significant role in the sport."
For Agassi, Alcaraz’s potential is undeniable, but the road to greatness remains unpredictable, filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth.
Shifting the conversation to Novak Djokovic, Agassi reflected on the Serbian’s extraordinary career, acknowledging the unparalleled physical and mental resilience required to stay at the top for so long. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, Djokovic’s longevity is an achievement in itself, but Agassi wonders how much longer the 36-year-old can sustain such a high level of excellence.
"He’s already done so much for so long. It’s hard to imagine him going longer," Agassi said, recognising the unique challenges Djokovic faces as the last remaining member of the Big Three.
The emotional toll of outlasting rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have both retired from the sport, adds another layer of complexity to Djokovic’s quest to continue rewriting tennis history. "Losing the guys he made history with will likely make it tougher emotionally," Agassi noted. "But I’d never bet against him. Bet against him at your own peril."
For Agassi, Djokovic’s remarkable ability to keep pushing forward is a testament not only to his physical skill but also to the emotional strength required to compete at the highest level long after his peers have stepped away.
One of the more surprising developments in Djokovic’s career has been his recent decision to enlist Andy Murray, his former rival, as a coach. Agassi offered his perspective on this partnership, acknowledging the complexities of working with a former competitor.
"They’ve been fierce rivals, and now Murray is coaching Djokovic. Trust is crucial in any coach-student relationship, and that takes time," Agassi explained. While the history between the two could serve as an asset, success will depend on both players fully committing to the partnership, with Agassi emphasising that complete buy-in from both sides is necessary for it to thrive. UNI BDN SSP