Andre
Agassi is preparing to serve as captain of the Laver Cup, replacing John
McEnroe, and he praised the legendary Rod Laver, an 11-time major champion and
the only player in the Open Era to win the Grand Slam (the four biggest
tournaments in the same year).
The
legendary Australian lends his name to the tournament that pits Team Europe
against Team World, which will hold its 8th edition in San Francisco in 2025,
marking a change in captains for the first time in its history. During the
first seven editions, captains McEnroe and Bjorn Borg led their teams for the
last time in 2024.
Agassi
spoke about his new role as captain in the tournament and expressed his
admiration for the format: "Watching it over the last few years, it's hard
not to be fascinated by it. I like the idea of a team format where you can
bring the best players in the world,” he said.
“It's
competitive, the players are engaged, and the audience is interested," he
continued, focusing on relationships with the players: “I don't think you can
parachute into a player's life for seven days and expect to necessarily make a
difference, but you can certainly make a connection.”
The 8-time
Grand Slam champion shared his admiration for Rod Laver and the legacy he has
maintained 45 years after his retirement. "It certainly pushes him to the
pinnacle of the sport. It's just incredible. When you look at the greatest of
all time, what he did was amazing. It's fitting that an event of this magnitude
is named after him," he said.
He also had
words for his predecessor, Johnny Mac, as captain of Team World. The American
led his team to victories in 2022 and 2023, while the historical record between
the two teams stands at 5-2 in favour of the Europeans: "Obviously John
McEnroe's love and passion for the game is unmatched; everything he does,
tennis-wise, he cares deeply."
“I think
that's one of the great things about the Laver Cup: going to some of these
cities where maybe there's not always the ability to have a big event or an
event at all. San Francisco is a great example; bringing this level of tennis
to that city will mean a lot to the community," Agassi added.
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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