AGASSI’S ADVICE TO FEDERER’S OPPONENTS: ‘DON’T ASK ME’
Andre Agassi has praised Roger Federer’s innate ability to make the court look smaller after his astonishing demolition of the four-times Australian Open winner on Tuesday.
The world number one, bidding for his third straight grand slam triumph, crushed eighth-seeded Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in their quarterfinal in 1 hour and 39 minutes to stretch his unbeaten match streak to 26, going back to last August.
Agassi had been expected to extend the Swiss top seed on the strength of some impressive earlier round victories, but on the night he was simply overrun.
The 34-year-old eight-time grand slam champion has confronted plenty of challenges over the net in his time, but he marvels at what the 23-year-old Swiss maestro can do on the tennis court.
”He’s got anticipation, but it’s more about his ability to make a court a lot smaller,” Agassi said before leaving for home on Wednesday.
”Because he can cover so well to the forehand, it really allows him to stay at home in the backhand corner.
”So that backhand corner gets smaller and smaller, and he sort of dares you to hit it to that forehand.
”There’s a lot of times you do and you’re thinking that’s a good idea, then a second later you’re going, ‘Why did I do that?”’
Agassi is reluctant to compare him with the modern-day greats of the game, but said Federer is an outstanding player.
”The expectation for him to be one of the greats is certainly understandable,” Agassi said.
”He does everything well and a lot of things great. His movement is probably the most underrated part of his game, and that’s right up there with the best of them.
”His forehand is one of the biggest. His serve is very accurate, great hold game, gets a lot of balls back in the court in return games, puts pressure on you, plays with versatility, comes in, slice, high topspins and drives through the court. So there’s a lot he does out there.”
Asked what his advice would be to Federer’s remaining opponents at the Australian Open, Agassi said: ”I would suggest that his next opponents don’t look to me for advice. That would be my advice.”
Agassi revealed that when he shook hands with Federer at the net, he told the Swiss ace, ”too good and good luck.”
”He just said he enjoyed playing against me and hopes that happens more. I said, ‘That makes one of us.”’ – Sapa-AFP