Andre Agassi has offered a rare glimpse into the distinct approach Novak Djokovic takes toward tennis, highlighting the stark contrast between their styles during their short coaching partnership.
Despite spending less than a year working together, Agassi was struck by how Djokovic separates his mental preparation from his in-match mindset-thinking deeply off the court but relying on feel and flow while playing.
Agassi, who achieved a career Golden Slam and secured 60 tour-level titles including eight Grand Slam wins, contrasted his own style with Djokovic‘s during a recent conversation with Tennis365.
“He brings intensity to everything he does, even when he’s relaxing,” Agassi explained. “He treats downtime seriously and squeezes the most out of every moment. What really surprised me is how much thinking he does off the court, compared to how little he seems to analyze while actually playing. Off the court, he’s all about study and strategy, but once he steps on the court, he just lets the game come to him.”
Comparing himself, Agassi admitted, “I tend to analyze a lot during matches, but off the court, I’m more about feeling my way through things. Novak is the exact reverse.”
Agassi also praised Djokovic‘s incredible memory and focus, which fuel his dedication to learning and preparation. “It’s been a rewarding experience getting to understand what drives him and helping him reach his goals,” he added.
Djokovic’s all-encompassing game overwhelms opponents
Though their collaboration ended in 2018, Agassi remains impressed by Djokovic’s relentless playing style. On the Served podcast, he likened Djokovic‘s dominance on court to an unstoppable force, joking that the Serbian seems determined to defeat not just his opponents but “their moms too.”
“He’s like an amoeba that swallows you whole and drags you down,” Agassi said. “He beats you with offense, he beats you with defense. It’s like he wants to take it too far sometimes, but that’s just how world-class he is.”
Now 38, Djokovic recently completed his Career Golden Slam by winning Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games, further cementing his legacy as one of tennis’s greatest.
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