Andre Agassi Compares Novak Djokovic to Steffi Graf, Praises His View on Federer and Nadal’s Success

“I see a person like my wife Steffi Graf, who doesn’t need applause” – When Andre Agassi felt Djokovic saw Federer & Nadal’s success as a ‘blessing’

Andre Agassi once compared Novak Djokovic’s attitude to that of his wife, tennis icon Steffi Graf, emphasizing Djokovic’s unique perspective on competing against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. In 2017, following Djokovic’s split from his long-time coach Marian Vajda, he briefly worked with Agassi during the French Open, who went on to share insights about Djokovic’s approach to his top rivals.

In an interview with *Inside Tennis*, Agassi noted that Djokovic didn’t seek public admiration but was instead driven to outshine the best in the sport. Comparing Djokovic to Steffi Graf, Agassi explained that the Serbian star didn’t need applause but instead relished the high standards set by Federer and Nadal, viewing their success as a positive challenge.

“I see a person like my wife [Steffi Graf], who doesn’t need the applause,” Agassi remarked. “He sees Federer and Nadal’s achievements as a ‘blessing,’ a chance to rise above a bar of excellence,” he added.

Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, praised Djokovic’s mindset and described him as both intelligent and heartfelt. He called Djokovic a “perfectionist” with a “champion’s mind” who is constantly seeking improvement. Agassi further shared that he chose his words carefully when coaching Djokovic, aware of the value the Serbian places on growth.

“His intellect is matched only by his heart,” Agassi said. “Every perfectionist is tortured, but Djokovic’s intellectual and emotional strength make him less aware of that.” Agassi expressed admiration for Djokovic’s drive, noting that he aimed to pass on his own insights from years in the game to support Djokovic’s journey.