Andre Agassi, the former world number one and eight-time Grand Slam champion, believes his advice helped Novak Djokovic achieve his 2024 Olympic gold with renewed determination. Agassi, known for completing the rare Golden Slam in 1999 by winning all four Major tournaments plus an Olympic gold medal, recently shared insights about the guidance he offered Djokovic that may have influenced the Serb’s winning mindset.
Speaking as part of TNT Sports’ media team, Agassi emphasized the importance of self-reliance and mental focus when he advised Djokovic, a 24-time Major winner, before his victorious Olympic campaign.
“What I told him was, you don’t need anybody. Like, this is a figment of your imagination, because what you need to do is you need to get out on the court, you need to bring the curtain down, the lockdown version of yourself down,”
—Andre Agassi, former tennis player and coach
“It’s obvious you have to feel a little bit of pain before you get engaged, and then you need to be quick to let that show just a little earlier as you get older.”
—Andre Agassi, former tennis player and coach
Agassi believes Djokovic began applying this advice effectively during the Olympic Games in Paris.
“I think he’s starting to do it,”
—Andre Agassi, former tennis player and coach
Looking back at Djokovic’s performance in the Olympic final against Carlos Alcaraz, Agassi noted the Serb’s powerful presence and mental toughness on court.
“There is nothing better to have on a tennis court than complete conviction.”
—Andre Agassi, former tennis player and coach
Novak Djokovic’s Dominance at the 2024 Olympic Games
Djokovic’s 2024 Olympic campaign was marked by commanding victories, including straight-set wins without dropping a set throughout the tournament. The Serb secured his gold medal by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final with two tiebreak sets, showcasing remarkable resilience and focus.
- 1R: Novak Djokovic defeated Matthew Ebden, 6-0, 6-1
- 2R: Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal, 6-1, 6-4
- 3R: Novak Djokovic defeated Dominik Koepfer, 7-5, 6-3
- QF: Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-3, 7-6
- SF: Novak Djokovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti, 6-4, 6-2
- F: Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6, 7-6
This series of convincing wins culminated in a memorable final against the young Spanish contender, underlining Djokovic’s ability to perform under pressure and maintain unwavering focus throughout the event.
The 2017 Coaching Partnership Between Agassi and Djokovic
Andre Agassi worked closely with Novak Djokovic in 2017, coaching the World No. 2 after Djokovic parted ways with long-time mentor Marian Vajda. Their collaboration began ahead of the French Open, but early results were mixed. Djokovic exited in the quarterfinals, losing to Dominic Thiem in Paris.
In the lead-up to Wimbledon, Djokovic claimed the Eastbourne International title, his only tournament win with Agassi as coach. Although he showed strong form at Wimbledon, reaching the quarterfinal without dropping a set, his tournament ended prematurely due to an elbow injury sustained during his match against Tomas Berdych. This injury forced Djokovic to withdraw from the rest of the season to focus on recovery.
Despite an initially hopeful plan, Djokovic struggled with form when he returned, suffering multiple early exits during the 2018 season. This included losses at key tournaments like the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and the Miami Open.
- 2018 Australian Open – Lost in 4th round to Hyeon Chung
- 2018 Indian Wells – Lost in 2nd round to Taro Daniel
- 2018 Miami Open – Lost in 2nd round to Benoit Paire
Djokovic and Agassi parted ways shortly after Miami, ending their coaching partnership in under a year. Their collaboration produced limited success, including only one ATP 250 title and two Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances.
After reuniting with Marian Vajda, Djokovic quickly returned to top form, winning Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018, closing the year on a high note. Though their coaching stint was short-lived, Agassi’s advice may have had a lasting influence, especially considering Djokovic’s later achievements.
The Enduring Impact of Agassi’s Guidance on Djokovic’s Olympic Triumph
Andre Agassi’s role as a mentor to Novak Djokovic may not have resulted in a lengthy coaching tenure, but his insights about mental strength and self-belief appear to have resonated deeply over time. Djokovic’s 2024 Olympic gold medal, earned with what Agassi described as ‘complete conviction,’ reflects a maturity and mental readiness that aligns with the former champion’s counsel.
This Olympic victory adds to Djokovic’s prestigious career achievements, placing him alongside Agassi and Rafael Nadal as the few men who have completed the Golden Slam by securing all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. As Djokovic continues his career, the influence of Agassi’s advice might remain a subtle yet meaningful factor in the Serb’s ongoing success on the world stage.