Andre Agassi is embarking on a new chapter in 2025, combining his role as a French Open commentator with the leadership of Team World at the Laver Cup later this year. After retiring from professional tennis in 2006, Agassi remains deeply connected to the sport, now sharing his insights during the French Open semi-finals and finals and stepping into the Laver Cup captaincy to inspire a new generation of players and fans.

Agassi’s Transition From Player to Commentator and Captain

The former eight-time Grand Slam champion bid farewell to competitive tennis nearly two decades ago, but his passion has not waned. Recently, Agassi took on French Open commentary duties with TNT Sports, bringing his expertise and firsthand experience to the broadcast booth. Simultaneously, he prepares to captain Team World in the 2025 Laver Cup, marking his debut in this leadership role.

During a conversation on the Served podcast with fellow tennis legend Andy Roddick, Agassi spoke about his initial skepticism toward the Laver Cup. Intrigued by its rapid rise, he decided to witness the event firsthand.

“I went and saw it, and I heard coaches talk about it, I heard some fans talk about people I know that went to it, you know, I heard business people talk about it from a hospitality perspective. I mean, I called B—– on all of it. So I had to go see it, and you watch those players, they’re legit,”

Agassi recalled, emphasizing how the event challenged his doubts and impressed him with the quality of competition.

Why the Laver Cup Captured the Players’ and Agassi’s Attention

The Laver Cup has become a unique tennis event by bringing the best players from around the world into intense, team-based competition. Alexander Zverev, a key participant, praised its distinct atmosphere, saying,

“I think it’s special having the best players on the planet on the same team or competing against each other, especially when you don’t want to let each other down. That’s what makes Laver Cup unique and that’s why you see everybody compete so hard.”

Agassi echoed this sentiment, pointing out how the players’ pride and motivation set the Laver Cup apart from other events.

“The players legitimately take pride and not just trying to beat the other one, not just trying to impress their teammates, but they’re actually trying to show them. You know there’s like real intense competition going on, captain’s into it, I mean hospitality unbelievable,”

he noted. This competitive spirit and strong camaraderie have elevated the Laver Cup’s status within the sport.

Agassi shared a revealing anecdote about the Laver Cup’s growing appeal compared to traditional Grand Slam quarters.

“I talked to a few people when I was there and I said you know if I gave you tickets to the quarters of a grand slam or weekend at Laver Cup, what do you take? They said, weekend at Laver Cup because we know who we’re going to see and we might even see him play doubles,”

he said, highlighting how the event‘s intimate and festive environment has attracted a dedicated following.

The New Leadership Era at the Laver Cup

The 2025 Laver Cup marks a significant transition in leadership with Andre Agassi taking over the captaincy of Team World while Yannick Noah leads Team Europe. This follows seven years under the guidance of the legendary Björn Borg and John McEnroe, who stepped down after the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin. Agassi acknowledged his excitement about this new opportunity, telling Tennis Channel DE last year,

“This is the first time I’ve been able to see the event up close. Until now, I’ve only seen the players’ commitment, enthusiasm and energy from a distance.”

For Agassi, this captaincy is a chance to remain connected to tennis in a meaningful way.

“For me, it was a good opportunity to keep myself occupied with the game, to stay connected to the sport and hopefully gain new experiences,”

he explained, signaling his eagerness to contribute beyond his past accomplishments as a player.

Personal Reflections on the Pressure of a New Role

While Agassi approaches his roles with enthusiasm, he admits there is personal pressure involved in contributing meaningfully as a commentator and captain. Speaking further on the Served podcast, he described his internal challenges:

“I didn’t mean to judge it as better or worse or not good or bad, but it’s what’s tough for me is like I have my own process when I care about something, and I do care about contributing if I choose to do something.”

He continued,

“And so my stresses are quite honestly doing it, you know, doing it, adding right contributing, not being distracting or not sort of lowering the bar of any kind.”

Agassi’s self-awareness reveals his strong dedication to quality and respect for the game, whether on or off the court.

Reflecting on his mindset during this transition, Agassi added,

“So I want to do it well, and I have my own tortured process in doing it. It’s not unfamiliar with how I played the game, so I am looking forward to going, and I’m never looking forward to my skin being stretched. I’m there’s something I begrudge it, you know, like oh god, here we go. It’s going to hurt, I’m going to stretch my skin, but then I settle in, and then I’m usually glad I did it.”

This determination mirrors the resilience that defined his playing career.

Support from TNT Sports and What Fans Can Expect

Agassi’s addition to TNT Sports for their French Open coverage was formally announced last month by the network’s Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer Craig Barry. Barry highlighted Agassi’s stature in tennis history and expressed excitement about the new commentary voice:

“Andre is one of the most accomplished tennis players of all time and we’re excited to add his distinct voice to our inaugural Roland-Garros coverage.”

As Agassi now steps into this broadcasting role during the French Open, fans anticipate an engaging mix of expert analysis and candid personality. Coupled with his fresh challenge as Laver Cup captain for Team World, 2025 promises to be a year in which Agassi redefines his legacy, blending his passion for tennis with leadership and thoughtful storytelling.

What Agassi’s New Roles Mean for the Future of Tennis

Andre Agassi’s move into commentary and Laver Cup captaincy represents more than a career shift; it is a powerful statement about the evolving roles retired athletes can play in shaping the sport’s future. His intense passion and commitment signal a desire to elevate tennis through mentorship and by connecting with fans from a new perspective.

With the departure of iconic leaders Borg and McEnroe at the Laver Cup, Agassi and Noah bring fresh energy, experience, and vision to their teams. This leadership change could deepen rivalries, increase fan engagement, and enhance the tournament’s prestige in the years to come. Agassi’s involvement ensures that tennis enthusiasts will benefit from his insights both on-air at the French Open and courtside at the Laver Cup.