Andre Agassi says he would coach Novak Djokovic for free
Friday 2 June 2017 20:00, UK
Andre Agassi has revealed he is happy to work as an unpaid coach for Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in July.
The eight-time Grand Slam champion recently joined forces with Djokovic, ahead of the ongoing French Open, where the Serb is the defending men's singles champion.
Agassi, who won at Roland Garros in 1999, said he is not being paid to mentor Djokovic but simply wants to help him regain his best form.
"For me, I do this on my own time and my own dime," Agassi said.
"I don't want money, I want to help him. And it helps the game. Him at his best is good for the game and it's a way I can contribute.
"I don't want anything, I don't need anything."
Boris Becker had coached Djokovic until December 2016, since when the 12-time Slam winner has spilt from the remainder of his coaching staff.
As for agreeing to help Djokovic, Agassi added: "It was a surprise for me. I got a call from him late in Monte Carlo after he was done and he wanted to talk tennis and he wanted to talk the possibility of working together.
"I said, 'Maybe I can help you over the phone? I don't think you need much but this is not possible for me with the balance of my life'.
"And then Steffi (Graf, his wife) says, 'Maybe you'll enjoy it'. So I said, 'I'll go early, since I have to be in Paris any way and I'll just get to know him'."
On Wimbledon, Agassi added: "If he wants me there, I will come and we'll figure it out. I have a lot of responsibilities so whatever's practical and achievable."
As for being together in Paris, so far, Agassi went on: "I'm shocked what a fast learner he is. Every day I've seen him get better."
