Former world number one Andre Agassi gave an important advice to British number one player Andy Murray which is to continue improving his tennis strategies and eventually additional Grand Slam titles will follow.
Murray, making a return on tour following several months of inactivity due to a back surgery, has slipped to world number seven as of this week’s rankings. He’s aiming to make a strong finish at this week’s Abierto Mexicano Telcel tournament, an ATP 500 event.
Agassi won his first of eight Grand Slam titles back in 1992 but needed to wait more than two years before winning his second.
The 43-year old said: “It is a different mindset being someone who is expected to win versus somebody who is an underdog.
“Eventually you learn it doesn’t matter whether you are the favourite or the underdog, it doesn’t matter if you are No.1 in the world or No.100, the only thing that really matters is: are you getting better?
“Some people struggle with keeping that perspective after they taste victory.
“But ultimately a champion learns that the only obligation you have to yourself and the game is to constantly push yourself and make yourself better. And once you hit that stride, the rest are just numbers.”
Agassi is actively playing through exhibition matches these days and he’s slated to face old rival Pete Sampras in the World Tennis Day at Earl’s Court on March 3, Monday.
