Andre Agassi has admitted that he and his former rival Pete Sampras could not stand one another for a long time during their careers.
The two legends played out a thrilling rivalry for several years, and met each other on court 34 times. Sampras retired with the edge over Agassi, winning 20 and losing 14 of those meetings. He also claimed more Grand Slam titles, with 14 compared to eight. The latter did, however, complete the career Grand Slam.
Many of their clashes were intense in nature, with Agassi now opening up on their intriguing relationship on and off the court. The admission comes ahead of the American preparing to coach Team World at the Laver Cup, a team event that sees them take on rivals Team Europe.
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Andre Agassi admits he and Pete Sampras once ‘couldn’t stand each other’
Agassi discussed the current situation on the ATP Tour, with the close friendships evident today not exactly being prevalent during his era.
“It’s way different,” he explained. “Pete and I, I mean, we couldn’t stand each other for a long period of time. We played on the same Davis Cup team, and everybody’s like, ‘You guys are so favoured!’
“We just had daggers for each other, and it cost us a few ties. Just watching these guys these days not take certain things personally and get the most out of themselves, it’s fun to be a part of.”
| Titles | Player | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open |
| 14 | Pete Sampras | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
| 8 | Andre Agassi | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
There is indeed a real sense of camaraderie on the ATP Tour right now, with Carlos Alcaraz just congratulating Alexander Zverev on his US Open success, for example. He also claimed his rival is the best player in the world right now. But such friendship is perhaps also expected given that the two just practiced together in London, ahead of being teammates at the Laver Cup.
Their side are looking to exact revenge on Agassi and Team World at the O2 this week, with Team Europe having lost to their rivals in San Francisco last year.
Andre Agassi claims Carlos Alcaraz can ‘wreak havoc’ against anyone ahead of Laver Cup
Like Zverev, Alcaraz played at the US Open in New York, reaching the quarterfinals after five months out injured. He now turns his focus to London, where a reunion with Taylor Fritz is on the cards. American ace Fritz defeated both Alcaraz and Zverev to help Team World to a 15-9 win on home soil, with Agassi now looking back on that epic week for his compatriot.
Agassi said of his players: “There’s not a guy I look at that I don’t think can be better, in one way or another. I try to help them believe that. Sometimes that plays out very strategically, what he needs to do more of today than he usually does. And it’s also the clarity of conviction.
“I think Taylor brought what he needed to do. Alcaraz, he can wreak havoc against anybody. He can beat anybody at any time. But there are a few guys that, if they execute their game with full conviction, they can get to him. It meant a lot to Taylor, it meant a lot to the team, and it probably was the difference maker last year.”
Agassi is joined by his vice captain Pat Rafter, with Yannick Noah on the opposite bench alongside Tim Henman. Of the eight editions of the Laver Cup so far, Team Europe hold a 5-3 record over Team World. A total of 62 players from 26 different countries have taken to the signature black court over the years.
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