When looking at the ATP leaderboard, which shows stats from the different seasons, Rune’s return rating has gone significantly up and in that aspect of the game he ranks as number 27 in the last 52 weeks compared to number 63 in 2024.

That is something that Rune has noticed as well, and now he says that Andre Agassi loved the Dane’s return when they practised together in Washington during the summer.

‘Agassi loved my return’

Rune points out that he knew he was underperforming on his return last season, which is why he and his team were putting a lot of effort into that part of his game in the pre-season.

“I’ve always felt that my return has been really good and one of my biggest strengths. It had a bit of a downfall last year, where I didn’t return as well as I know I can. But especially in the last pre-season, we put a lot of work into the return game to improve the statistics, as you also pointed out,” Rune says and continues:

“It’s always nice to see that the things you work on are improving. I’m also starting to gain more and more confidence to put a bit more weight into my returns and try to put more pressure on the opponent’s second serve.”

Agassi was arguably the best returner of his time and still stands as one of the greatest ever in that discipline, and Rune revealed that the American in particular liked that part of his game.

“Agassi and I talked a lot about my return when we trained together. He really loved it,” he added. “As you say, he had an absolutely insane return, so we could really have some good conversations. Right now, though, I’m mostly in contact with my own team and the people who are close to me.”

Nick Kyrgios coming back would be good for tennis

“Nick Kyrgios has always been very nice to me, so we’ve always had a really good relationship. I don’t know if he’s coming back, but it would be good for tennis because he’s always had some very exciting matches.”

“His top level, back when he played against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, was insanely high, so you have to respect that,” Rune said. “I know he’s struggling a lot with his body, so that’s probably the biggest thing he has to overcome. Whether he does or not, time will tell.”

In 2023 the two of them had an exhibition match planned, however Kyrgios was forced to cancel as he got an injury in his foot. For now, a new exhibition match is not planned between the two, but Rune seems ready for the challenge.

“We haven’t talked about a new exhibition match, although that would be fun. I ended up playing one against Monfils instead. Insanely cool guy, whom unfortunately we’ll only get to see for one more year on the Tour,” Rune ends to Bolavip.

On Friday, the Dane is facing Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry. They have faced each other three times, but only one time on the ATP Tour, which Rune won in a very close match in Basel.

Speaking to the ATP’s official site ahead of the Laver Cup in San Francisco, the American legend praised Alcaraz for his achievements and his ability to mix the strengths of three of tennis’ greatest players.

“There’s not a place in the world where he goes and he’s not the crowd favourite,” Agassi said. “And for obvious reasons. What he’s brought to the game is a mixture of the last generation we had“.

“I know Novak is still playing, but Novak, Roger and Rafa — he’s like a combination of all of them in one, with the RPMs he can put on the ball, the defense that he has like Novak, the feel that he has like Federer. To see that in one person on a tennis court is remarkable,” he added.

Patrick Rafter about Alcaraz’s greatness

Patrick Rafter, former world No. 1 and vice-captain of Team World under Agassi, was also impressed by Alcaraz’s all-around game, highlighting his power and footwork.

“He can produce power from anywhere and no one has that power,” Rafter said. “He’s probably one of the greatest movers we’ve ever seen in the game of tennis. That combination is pretty impressive, plus he’s got all the shots”.

Agassi and Rafter will face Alcaraz when the Spaniard plays doubles with Jakub Mensik for Team Europe on Saturday, September 20, against Alex Michelsen and Taylor Fritz of Team World.

“[He is] one of the most explosive, dynamic players that the game has ever seen,” Agassi added about Alcaraz. “I’ve seen him play live a few times, but to be down there on the court next to it will be something special”.

Sampras was known for his aggressive serve-and-volley game, featuring a booming serve, precise shot-making, and dominance at the net. Agassi, in contrast, thrived from the baseline, excelling with his exceptional return, strategic point construction, and trademark two-handed backhand. Their contrasting approaches led to some of the most iconic clashes in tennis history.

When it comes to career prize money, Sampras earned $43,280,489, while Agassi brought in $31,152,975, according to ATP’s official records. Both enjoyed careers spanning more than 15 years and collected dozens of titles.

However, prize money in their era was far lower than today’s standards. Much of their wealth also came from major endorsement deals rather than just on-court earnings.

Head-to-head: Sampras vs Agassi

Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi met 34 times in ATP-sanctioned tournaments, with Sampras holding the upper hand in their rivalry, 20–14. Their first meeting came in 1989 in Rome, while their final clash took place in the 2002 U.S. Open final—a match that also marked the last Grand Slam title of Sampras’ career.

In Grand Slam finals, the head-to-head leaned even more heavily toward Sampras, who won four of their five championship encounters (4–1). Interestingly, despite their fierce rivalry, the two joined forces to help the United States capture Davis Cup titles in both 1992 and 1995.

The legendary career of Pete Sampras

Before the era of the “Big Three” in men’s tennis, Pete Sampras was the all-time Grand Slam leader with 14 major titles—winning the Australian Open twice, Wimbledon seven times, and the U.S. Open five times. Beyond his Grand Slam success, Sampras spent many years as the ATP’s world No. 1 and amassed an impressive total of 64 career titles.

Andre Agassi’s remarkable journey

Andre Agassi competed professionally from 1986 to 2006. Over two decades, he captured 60 ATP titles, including eight Grand Slams. Agassi also won the Olympic gold medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games and helped the United States win three Davis Cup titles. Today, he remains connected to tennis, working both as a broadcaster and in a coaching role for rising star Holger Rune.

Among this younger wave, Holger Rune remains one of the most intriguing names — a player who once looked destined to join Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in forming the “next Big Three,” but who now finds himself fighting to re-establish that status.

Born in Denmark on April 29, 2003, Rune turned professional in 2020 and quickly became one of the standouts of his class. While Alcaraz and Sinner have surged ahead in titles and ranking, Rune has already lifted five ATP trophies — including the 2022 Paris Masters, where he stunned Novak Djokovic in the final, and the 2023 Barcelona Open, where he defeated Alcaraz in the championship match.

Currently ranked No. 9 in the world, Rune is looking to rebound from a recent dip in form, highlighted by a first-round exit at Wimbledon. His immediate target: a strong North American hard-court swing leading into the US Open. He’s playing the Masters 1000 event in Toronto, and is scheduled to play the same event in Cincinnati.

A new partnership with Andre Agassi

Rune recently confirmed he has started working with American tennis legend Andre Agassi, a move that could prove pivotal as he chases a return to the top 5. “I reached out to him some months ago,” Rune told me during a Media Day interview, via Tennis.com. “He’s an amazing man, first of all, and he’s very wise, as well. He sees the game in a unique way that I’ve never experienced before”.

“I thought now was a good moment to reach out to Agassi because my base is back and I’m playing well again,” he continued. “When you’re changing coaches a lot, you don’t play as well because you’re not following one opinion or a single structure. I thought this was the right time to get some extra input…It’s not anything magic, but he obviously had some very wise words I can use”.

Eyeing Alcaraz and Sinner

Rune also addressed his main rivals, Alcaraz and Sinner — both of whom he grew up competing against in junior tennis — and made it clear he doesn’t view the gap as insurmountable.

“I think [the gap] is very distant for some, but for some others, they’re not that far away,” Rune noted. “I’m going include myself when I say we’re not that far away. I see my high end of tennis to be really, really high, so I just have to lift the button, really, and stay more consistent to win more matches. I do need to stop feeling like I need to play spectacular tennis all the time to beat them”.

“It obviously does help my confidence to know I’ve shown a level that can beat Carlos, Jannik, and Novak. That helps the belief, of course. On the other hand, there’s a difference between just beating them and making into those big finals week in, week out. That’s one of my goals now,” he concluded.

In a recent conversation with Andy Roddick on the Served podcast, Agassi spoke about Novak Djokovic and offered some remarkably high praise. “I see the greatest defensive player the game has ever seen,” Andre began, placing the Serbian star among the legends of the game.

But the praise didn’t stop there, as Agassi made it clear that Djokovic’s skill set goes far beyond his defensive prowess. “And shockingly, when he needs to be, possibly the greatest offensive player the game has ever seen,” he said. “He’s like the boxer that needs to feel the glove hit him before he even engages.”

Andre then broke down how Novak’s game works—and what makes him such a formidable opponent: “He goes into this lockdown mode, then you start throwing punches at him, then you get away with a few, then you start getting him engaged and he goes into hyper lockdown mode. Then he throws some offence in, and you’re thinking ‘I couldn’t win a point when he was on defence, now he’s on offence.’”

This isn’t the first time the former World No. 1 has expressed a similar opinion. Just a few months ago, in an interview with The Australian, Agassi spoke about Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic and chose the latter as the best of the three. “Roger brought elegance, class, and his unique style to the sport. Then Nadal brought the intensity and the ballistic nature with which he approached the game… all of these guys have elevated tennis. But on paper, I don’t think you can argue with what Novak has done,” said Andre.

Agassi praises Alcaraz

In the same conversation with Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi also discussed Carlos Alcaraz’s playing style. “The thing that amazes me most watching Carlos play live is how little his speed diminishes from clay to grass,” he began. “Everybody’s movement comes down a touch, but his didn’t.”

The American icon expanded on that observation. “He’s still so raw. I hope he learns how to maximise, and we should enjoy watching him before he does, because it’s so much fun for the fans to watch how he plays the game,” Agassi added. “But he still has so much more upside from a standpoint of longevity.“

The Sinner–Alcaraz comparison

After praising Alcaraz, Agassi compared him to Jannik Sinner. “Sinner is the exact opposite, he is constantly maximising. He’s never hit a ball he doesn’t really need to and when he does let one rip, it makes you wonder if he was forced to, what that gear would really look like,” said Andre. “He’s taking 85 per cent cuts and his jab is like a straight right. Jannik just wants to take over and never look back.”

Speaking to Tennis Channel, Agassi highlighted Alcaraz‘s superior adaptability on slippery surfaces, such as clay and grass, as a significant advantage. “I look at it like Alcaraz’s upside on anything that is slippery is his chance to be a level or have an advantage over Sinner,” Agassi explained.

Agassi praised Alcaraz’s unmatched mobility, likening it to other quick players like Alex de Miñaur and Tommy Paul. “What impresses me so much about Alcaraz—and there’s a lot he can still improve—is that on slippery surfaces like grass or clay, his diminished speed diminishes less than other fast guys,” Agassi observed.

“You look at players like Tommy Paul or De Minaur, who are among the fastest, but on grass or clay, you notice their confidence and balance suffer. They can’t quite do as much,” he added.

Agassi’s analysis is backed by Alcaraz’s record. Nine of his 18 career titles have come on clay, including triumphs at Roland Garros, along with back-to-back Wimbledon wins in 2023 and 2024.

“[Alcaraz’s] balance is there, his movement is there,” Agassi noted. “His ability to move forward, cover drop shots, and his athleticism—it’s all exceptional. That’s largely due to the strength in his legs and the balance of his movement. On clay or grass, assuming he’s healthy, he has the edge”.

Sinner’s edge on hard courts

While Agassi acknowledged Alcaraz’s prowess on clay and grass, he believes Sinner has the upper hand on hard courts. The Italian’s dominance on this surface is evident, with titles at the 2024 US Open and the 2024 and 2025 Australian Open.

“When you look at a hard court, Sinner’s ability to get on top of those balls stands out,” Agassi noted. “Alcaraz generates so much action with his shots, but if Sinner can catch the ball before its full arc, he can use that energy to punish it”.

“Sinner punishes the ball every bit as much as Alcaraz but does so directionally, using the energy against him,” Agassi continued. “On hard surfaces, Sinner takes control, but when it comes to the French Open or Wimbledon, the slight drop in Alcaraz’s movement gives him the edge”.

The former World No. 1, winner of eight Grand Slam titles, and a key figure in the iconic rivalry with Pete Sampras symbolized the last great era of American tennis dominance. After retirement, Agassi transitioned into coaching, briefly working with Novak Djokovic before their partnership ended on uneasy terms.

Agassi’s path to tennis greatness was anything but conventional. Born into a family led by his domineering father, Emanoul Aghassian — an Armenian immigrant and former boxer — young Andre grew up under relentless pressure. His father’s obsession with tennis forced Andre into grueling training sessions that included hitting thousands of balls daily from a machine his father dubbed “the dragon“.

“My dad said that if I hit 2,500 balls every day, I’d hit nearly a million a year, and a kid who hits a million balls annually becomes unbeatable,” Agassi recalled. The grueling regimen, however, only deepened his resentment toward the sport: “I didn’t choose tennis. I hated it with all my soul, and I hated it for most of my career”.

A prodigy under pressure

The intense training paid off, as Agassi emerged as a teenage sensation, earning a spot at Nick Bollettieri’s academy. But Agassi described the academy as more of a military camp than a nurturing environment, likening his teenage years there to imprisonment.

With his long hair, earrings, and rebellious style, Agassi entered the tennis world as the “bad boy” of the sport. Signed by Nike and becoming the youngest player to earn $1 million in prize money, he quickly became a media sensation. In a 1989 ad campaign for a camera company, he delivered the infamous line, “Image is everything,” a phrase that would haunt him as critics accused him of prioritizing style over substance.

Agassi’s struggles with his image extended beyond public perception. He revealed that he wore a wig to hide his thinning hair until 1995, when he finally shaved his head at the encouragement of friends and then-girlfriend Brooke Shields. The move marked a turning point, allowing him to shed the façade he’d maintained for years.

A historic rise to No. 1

By 1995, Agassi had already won Wimbledon in 1992 and the US Open in 1994. That year, he arrived at the Australian Open with a new look and a newfound focus. In the final, he defeated Pete Sampras, the World No. 1, to claim his first title Down Under. A month later, Agassi overtook Sampras to become the top-ranked player in the world.

Reflecting on his ascent years later, Agassi admitted: “I was World No. 1 in something I hated. My life was my father’s dream, not mine”. Despite his inner turmoil, Agassi’s unmatched talent and work ethic propelled him to an extraordinary career. The boy who once dreamed of playing soccer with friends and enjoyed literature classes in school had become the biggest name in tennis.

Retirement and revelations

Agassi’s career came to an emotional close at the 2006 US Open, where he lost to Benjamin Becker at age 36. He retired with 60 career titles, including eight Grand Slams, a Davis Cup championship, and an Olympic gold medal. He earned over $30 million in prize money and left an indelible mark on the sport.

In Open, Agassi laid bare the toll his career took on his mental health. “In tennis, you face your opponent, exchange shots, but never touch or talk to them or anyone else. The rules prohibit even speaking to your coach during a match. Tennis is an island. Of all sports, it’s the most isolating,” he wrote.

He also revealed the extent of his father’s influence: “I never wanted to play tennis. My dad forced me to, believing no one could beat me if I hit a million balls a year. I hated tennis with all my soul for most of my career”.

Coaching Djokovic and parting ways

In 2017, Agassi joined Novak Djokovic’s team as a part-time consultant, aiming to guide the Serbian star’s game. However, their partnership dissolved after just one year due to philosophical differences.

“I left because I wasn’t helping,” Agassi later explained. “I wanted to help Novak reach his best, but I couldn’t approve of some of his decisions. If I’m not part of the solution, I’m part of the problem”.

The split reportedly stemmed from disagreements over how to address Djokovic’s elbow injury, with Agassi recommending changes to his training regimen. “I think his learning curve could be faster, but it has to be his own,” Agassi remarked, adding that their conflicting views ultimately made their collaboration untenable.

Kuerten turned professional in 1995, and it quickly became clear that he was destined for greatness. Just two years after entering the pro circuit, he made waves by capturing his first Roland Garros title, an achievement that stunned reporters and the tennis world alike.

However, the immense fame and expectations that came with his success began to take their toll in 1998. Kuerten suffered a setback, losing to Marat Safin at Roland Garros. Even Brazilian journalists left France feeling disheartened by the defeat. The pressure he faced, which had been building from the outset of his career, wasn’t always the motivating force it was made out to be.

Despite this difficult setback, Kuerten remained determined. In 1999, he bounced back and broke into the ATP Top 5. That same year, he claimed two ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte Carlo and Rome, bringing him closer to the No. 1 spot in the world.

In 2000, Kuerten achieved the pinnacle of his career by reaching the No. 1 ranking after winning Roland Garros, the ATP World Tour Finals, and the ATP Masters 1000 in Hamburg. Though he didn’t fare as well in the other Grand Slam events, failing to advance past the third round, his dominance on the clay courts cemented his place among tennis’ elite.

Kuerten vs. Agassi

One of the players that he faced from the top 5 at that time was the American Agassi. With a 4-7 record, the Brazilian couldn’t beat in specific moments of his career Agassi, as there were multiple matchups between both tennis legends in the ATP World Tour.

However, the only final that Kuerten beat Agassi was in 2000, when the Brazilian became champions at Tennis Masters Cup, winning in three sets 6-4. Before that, in the same year, Kuerten defeated Agassi at Miami ATP Masters 1000 by 6-1; 6-4.

Kuerten vs. Federer

Despite the Suisse player was starting his career when he faced the Brazilian star, Kuerten had a difficult time with Federer. It was in 2002, when the two tennis legends faced at Hamburg ATP Masters 1000 in the quarterfinals. Federer beat 6-0; 1-6; 6-2 Kuerten, who already won that tournament in 2000.

The other two times they faced in a tournament were at 2004 Roland Garros and 2003 Miami ATP Masters 1000. They were in the same round of 32, in which Kuerten demonstrated his experience.

Kuerten vs. Sampras

In three games they faced each other, Sampras had the lead with 2-1 record and the most important matchup between then was for the American. It happened at 2000 Miami ATP Masters 1000 in an intense match with 6-1; 6-7 (2); 7-6 (5); 7-6 (8).

The only game that Kuerten could beat Sampras was in 2000. At Tennis Masters Cup the Brazilian showed his best performance and defeated Pete in three sets: 6-7 (5); 6-3; 6-4. He became champion in that tournament after defeating Agassi in the final.

After 13 years playing in the World Tour, Kuerten retired at 32 years old. He recorded 20 titles according to the ATP, three of them in Roland Garros, won 358 games and lost 195, and won 9 titles in doubles. That career made him one of the best Latin American players in tennis history, and for some, the best of the best.

Lleyton Hewitt began his professional career in 1998 and quickly showcased his exceptional talent. That same year, he became the youngest player ever to win an ATP tournament, defeating Jason Stoltenberg in the final of the 1998 Next Generation Adelaide International. At the time, he was just 16 years old.

However, his rise didn’t stop there. Three years later, at just 20, he achieved another major milestone in his career. After defeating Patrick Rafter at the Nitto ATP Finals in Sydney, Hewitt became the youngest player to ever hold the No. 1 ranking, a record he held for over two decades until Carlos Alcaraz surpassed him at 19 years old in 2022.

“I think the first time you get there means the most, because no one can take that away from you,” Hewitt said in an interview with the official ATP Tour website. “It is still very much an individual sport, tennis, and being out there at times can get very lonely. But that’s why I think when you’re able to get to the pinnacle of the game and get the most out of yourself, that’s where the satisfaction comes from.”

Hewitt’s secret to being World No. 1

Having been the youngest player to reach the top of the tennis world, Lleyton Hewitt is an expert on what that achievement truly means. “The only way you get the No. 1 ranking is to be unbelievably consistent,” he said.

“Giving 100 percent every time I stepped on the court gave me the best opportunity to compete against whoever it was,” the former Australian star added. “I think that mental toughness really helped.”

Hewitt defeated his idols to reach the top

To get to the top of the ATP rankings, Lleyton Hewitt had to overcome some of the best players of his time. On his way to his first title at the 1998 Adelaide International, he faced one of the stars he admired most. “I had a poster of this guy above my bed in my bedroom. Andre Agassi,” he revealed.

“It was surreal to be walking out on Memorial Drive Centre Court playing one of the absolute greats of the game. I walked on the court trying to be competitive and in the end, I couldn’t have dreamt that I would actually be able to beat Andre,” he said about that match.

In the year he reached World No. 1, Hewitt won his first Grand Slam by defeating Pete Sampras. “All of a sudden I had won the US Open,” he recalled. “Within three months I’m challenging for the No. 1 ranking. It all happened like a whirlwind.” Lleyton would remain the No. 1 player for 75 consecutive weeks.

Born in California in 1968, Tarango started playing tennis at a young age. His first major controversy occurred during his junior days in a match against Agassi, and his fiery demeanor continued into his professional career. One of his most infamous moments came at Wimbledon 1995, where he was hit with one of the largest fines in tennis history.

In his autobiography, Andre Agassi recounted an early clash with Tarango that left a lasting impression. When Agassi was just eight years old, he faced Tarango in a junior tournament where, due to the lack of umpires, players acted as line judges.

Agassi claimed that Tarango made several questionable calls, all benefiting himself, ultimately leading to Tarango’s victory. The future legend confessed he left the court in tears, overwhelmed by the unfairness. Years later, Tarango denied Agassi’s accusations.

1992: His career highlight

Jeff Tarango’s professional career never reached the heights of his American contemporaries. His highest singles ranking came in 1992 when he reached No. 42 in the world. That year, he captured his only two singles titles, winning in Wellington and Tel Aviv. In doubles, however, Tarango found more success, collecting 14 career titles and showcasing his skill in the doubles format.

The 1995 Wimbledon scandal and a record fine

Tarango’s most notorious moment came at Wimbledon in 1995 during his third-round match against Germany’s Alexander Mronz. The umpire for the match was France’s Bruno Rebeuh.

After losing the first set, Tarango became visibly frustrated, feeling he was being unfairly treated by Rebeuh. The breaking point came in the second set when a serve he believed was in was called out.

The crowd began booing Tarango for his behavior, and he responded by telling them to “shut up.” Rebeuh issued a warning, sparking a heated exchange in which Tarango accused the umpire of corruption, stating: “You’re one of the most corrupt officials in this sport“.

Rebeuh then penalized Tarango by awarding a game to his opponent. In protest, Tarango packed his bags and walked off the court, forfeiting the match. The controversy escalated when Tarango’s wife slapped Rebeuh twice in the face.

The fallout was severe. Tarango was fined $63,000—a record at the time—and was banned from competing in the next two Grand Slam tournaments, as well as Wimbledon 1996.

1999 Roland Garros finalist and retirement

Despite the Wimbledon debacle, Tarango continued his career, though his singles results remained underwhelming. In doubles, however, he experienced a resurgence. In 1999, he reached the Roland Garros doubles final alongside Goran Ivanišević but lost in straight sets to Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes.

In 2003, Tarango retired from professional tennis. However, he stayed involved in the sport, working as a commentator for various networks and later transitioning into coaching. Among the players he coached was the highly successful Maria Sharapova.

Fernando González, a contemporary of the “Big Three,” faced and defeated all of them during his career, though he holds a positive head-to-head record only against Djokovic.

Despite the overwhelming dominance shown by this trio on the circuit for many years, the Chilean tennis legend surprised many by naming a different player as his GOAT.

In an interview with Redgol during the Chile Open, the former World No. 5 was unequivocal in his choice for the greatest player of all time. “For me, the greatest of all time is Andre Agassi,” González declared.

González’s admiration for Andre Agassi

González explained that his view of Agassi differs from how he perceives Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. “It’s different when it comes to those I saw rise in tennis, like Nadal and Djokovic,” he said.

The Chilean also highlighted the impact Agassi had on his formative years. “I watched him from a young age, along with other legends like Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, and Stefan Edberg,” González added.

For González, his admiration for Agassi goes beyond statistics or titles. “It’s different when you see them from childhood—they become idols,” he shared.

Agassi, who dominated the sport during the 1990s and early 2000s, won eight Grand Slam titles, including four Australian Opens, two US Opens, one Wimbledon, and one Roland Garros. He also spent 101 weeks as the world’s No. 1 player and earned an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles in 1996.

González’s positive record against Agassi

Interestingly, González has firsthand experience against his idol. Despite naming Agassi as his GOAT, González holds a positive head-to-head record against the Las Vegas native.

The Chilean defeated Agassi in both of their career meetings. The first came in 2003 during the semifinals of the Washington Open, where González emerged victorious in three sets. The second win occurred in 2006 at the Los Angeles Open, with another tightly contested three-set battle.

González’s admiration for Agassi underscores how personal experiences and childhood inspirations often shape opinions in the ongoing debate about the greatest player in tennis history.

While the “Big Three” may dominate most discussions, González’s perspective highlights the enduring legacy of players like Agassi, whose influence transcends trophies and records.