Agassi Urges Djokovic to Prioritize Family Over Extended Career
Andre Agassi, who briefly coached Novak Djokovic in 2017, advises the tennis star not to delay retirement for too long, emphasizing the importance of family and life beyond the sport. Djokovic has expressed a goal to retire at the 2028 Olympics but hasn't committed, and he recently suffered a first-round loss at the 2026 US Open. Agassi's comments come from a new Amazon Prime documentary.
Agassi's coaching stint with Djokovic lasted under a year in 2017, ending without a Grand Slam semifinal appearance during that period. The American's own retirement in 2006 came after a career marked by personal struggles, and his comments reflect his post-tennis life raising children with Steffi Graf.
Djokovic's 2026 season has shown signs of decline, with losses to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, and an early US Open exit to Mariano Navone. He still holds records for Grand Slam titles and weeks at No. 1, and has floated the 2028 Olympics as a possible endpoint.
Agassi's public advice may resonate with athletes facing the difficult transition from competitive sport to personal life. Djokovic's fans could see this as a reminder that even legendary careers eventually end, while younger players may view his continued presence as a benchmark. The documentary format