“I never got to face Nadal’s best tennis and I’m thankful for that,” says Andre Agassi

“I never got to face Nadal’s best tennis and I’m thankful for that,” says Andre Agassi
nadal agassi
Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal

Andre Agassi revealed in a virtual talk show with Ayaz Memon, that he was thankful of never having to face Nadal’s best tennis. The eight time Grandslam champion, Agassi along with his wife, Steffi Graf spoke with Ayaz Memon for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2020, which is held every year since 2003.

Andre Agassi speaking about Nadal said, “I never got to face Nadal’s best tennis and I’m thankful for that.” The duo met just twice in their careers, with Nadal winning on both occasions. The two belong to different generations of tennis. Nadal made a name for himself after winning the French Open 2005, whereas Andre Agassi was dominant in the 1990s. The American retired from tennis in 2006, whereas Nadal’s illustrious career were just in it’s initial stages.

The two times Agassi lost to Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal defeated Agassi twice between 2005-2006

Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal faced each other at Wimbledon 2006 and ATP Masters 1000 Canada, which were both won by the Spaniard. In their first meeting in Canada, the Spaniard defeated Agassi in a three set match to take home the title. Their second meeting at the Wimbledon Championships was no different as Nadal won the third round encounter in straight sets.

Andre Agassi believes that he never got to face the best of Rafael Nadal, which is true because in 2005-2006, the Spaniard was relatively young and did not possess a lethal game on surfaces except clay courts. He hit his peak form between 2007-2010 where he won three French Open titles, one US open title, two Wimbledon’s and one Australian Open title, completing his career Grandslam. He ended Roger Federer’s dominance in that period, including a memorable five-set win against the Swiss at Wimbledon 2008.

Also Read: “The day I played Roger Federer, that was the day I realized I was playing the greatest player of all time,” says Andre Agassi