As tennis legend Rafael Nadal slowly begins to wind down his career, Andre Agassi has opened up on a missed opportunity he believes the Spaniard should have taken.
After taking time off to recover from a hip injury, Nadal returned last weekend to face compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition match, labeled as "The Netflix Slam". Although Nadal fell in three sets to his younger opponent, the 22-time Grand Slam champion looked to be in good form as he prepares to return to the ATP tour at Indian Wells, which begins this week in California.
Speaking as a commentator at the Netflix Slam, Agassi pointed out a strategy he would have liked to see the Spaniard use early in his career.
"One thing I would have loved to seen with Rafa over the years is if he gave himself the green light to let his backhand fly,” said the retired American. “I truly believe we’d be talking about one of the greatest backhands that ever played the game. But instead he can so do much with his forehand, he can do so much with controlling the point with percentage.
"He’s constantly making the decision: why do something if you don’t have…I think it might help him a lot of he at least releases the beats on the backhand side because when he amps it up there’s not a ball he cannot hit with it. It’s an impressive wing. Let it go for a few games. That’s what he does in the warm up.”