Tennis icon Andre Agassi has addressed speculation about whether he could one day commit to a full-time coaching role on the ATP Tour. Nearly two decades after retiring in 2006, the eight-time Grand Slam champion has largely stayed away from the week-to-week grind of tour life — and his latest comments explain why.
A history of short-term coaching stints
Agassi’s coaching resume features high-profile but brief partnerships. In 2017, he joined forces with Novak Djokovic, only for the collaboration to end a year later due to disagreements within the player-coach dynamic.
He later worked with Grigor Dimitrov from 2018 to 2020 before they split. Most recently, he had a short three-day trial period with Danish rising star Holger Rune last summer.
Despite these experiences, Agassi has never embraced a permanent, full-time coaching commitment — and that appears unlikely to change soon.
Why full-time coaching isn’t an easy decision
In an interview with New Balls Please!, Andre Agassi was asked whether he would consider becoming a permanent coach in the future. His response made clear that while he remains deeply connected to the sport, the realities of tour life present challenges.
“I do a lot of helping that people don’t know, when it comes to players. But travelling and this sort of thing is a little tough. Coaching requires a bandwidth and a lot of time.
“I even make the argument that sometimes you can be more help from a distance, as you can become a sense of reason and objectivity.
“You can give them perspective that keeps somebody pointed towards their own north star.
“I can make arguments that sometimes it’s easier to help from a distance rather than day after day after day.”
A mentor from afar?
Agassi’s comments suggest his influence on the modern game may be quieter but no less impactful. Rather than committing to the relentless travel schedule and daily demands of tour coaching, the American great believes distance can sometimes offer clarity.
For now, Andre Agassi appears content shaping players’ mindsets behind the scenes instead of occupying a permanent seat in a player’s box.
While the door to full-time coaching may not be completely closed, his preference for selective involvement signals that his legacy in tennis will continue — just not in the traditional week-in, week-out coaching role.