Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors could all still compete with top names of today believes Serena Williams' ex-coach
ATPWednesday, 13 December 2023 at 23:30
The former coach of Serena Williams, Rick Macci, shared his opinion on the possibilities that some historical tennis players would have on the current Tour. According to the American, multiple Grand Slam champions Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Jimmy Connors would be competitive in the present era.
Macci emphasized that the winning mentality of these players would allow them to compete against modern tennis players and still be among the best in the world today.
Through his social media, he mentioned that all the great champions of the past have the mental strength to be among the best, even in the current era:
"Was asked if Past Grand Slam champions like Agassi Sampras Connors could be right in there with the top players today.100%. Everybody has to understand any Champion in the past is Wired Different Mentally as they have Delivered the Mail on time at every Grand Slam Address," he posted on X .
Agassi and the rivalry with Sampras
The
American Andre Agassi spoke about his contemporary Pete Sampras, with whom they
contested the tennis throne during part of the 90s:
"I
think rivalries aren’t guaranteed in any sport. It doesn’t matter how talented
a generation is, you need to capture the imagination of cultures and
people," Andre Agassi said on the Pat McAfee show.
"In
the sense of me and Pete [Sampras], we weren’t just two opposite players, which
was so obvious on the tennis court, we were two opposite personalities and two
opposite people altogether. So, to find those… you need dynamics," he
added.
"Federer
and Nadal, talking about righty lefty, one who makes it look like it’s so
ballistic and one who makes it look like poetry. So, there’s some special
elements to rivalries," Agassi concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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