Andre Agassi says Federer-Nadal era is ending

By MIN LEE, Associated Press Writer Oct 15, 3:23 am EDT

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HONG KONG (AP)—Andre Agassi says Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s domination of the men’s game is coming to an end, tipping Scotsman Andy Murray as the most likely successor.

“Now we have possibly the changing of the guard. You have those top two who are now losing ground to the likes of (Novak) Djokovic and Murray and (Juan Martin) del Potro,” Agassi told reporters in Hong Kong by phone from Las Vegas.

Nadal has struggled with injuries since his stunning exit in the fourth round of the French Open. Federer won the French and Wimbledon, breaking Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slams, but was beaten in the U.S. Open final by 21-year-old Argentine del Potro. It was the first Grand Slam won by a player other than Federer or Nadal since Djokovic won the 2008 Australian Open.

Agassi, who preceded Federer in winning all four grand slam tournaments over his career, believes the Swiss “still has the chance to do some more special things,” but the 28-year-old’s chances are diminishing with age.

Agassi, who was promoting his upcoming exhibition match against Sampras in the Chinese gambling enclave Macau on Oct. 25, worried that Nadal’s injuries may be chronic.

“If you’re struggling with your knee, it tends to be recurring and not to be easy to do, so I got to believe he’ll struggle with it probably for his career,” Agassi said.

Agassi said the 22-year-old Murray is the man most likely to be the dominant figure over the next few years. The world No. 3 is still seeking his first Grand Slam title.

“From a talent standpoint, Murray is a person who should win multiple Slams,” Agassi said.

“When I look at his game compared to the other players, he has what it takes to win and to win against anybody on any surface.”

Updated Oct 15, 3:23 am EDT
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269 Comments

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  1. johnp
    269. Posted by johnp Tue Oct 20 5:47pm EDT

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    Kim M ...I was thinking the same thing(about post 146), however you must make allowances. We are in the middle of the Fall season and nuts are bountiful.
  2. Kim M
    268. Posted by Kim M Tue Oct 20 9:55am EDT

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    Kwelemi, as you review the posts you will see that we are very fortunate to have people on here who actually want to intelligently discuss tennis, as it should be. Agassi's heritage, be it what it is or is not, is completely irrelevant to a discussion based on his history as one of the world's greatest tennis players, which he most certainly was. You may agree or disagree with his statements, but bringing in his heritage is totally unnecessary.
  3. pete'sbest14
    267. Posted by pete'sbest14 Tue Oct 20 1:57am EDT

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    #265 Stevo:

    What a wonderful post!!!! Thank you for such beautifully written assessment with yet another point of view about this "era" decline issue. And I agree with you, no one knows, nor has that crystal ball Tinkerbell had in the "shop" for repairs..and we'd certainly not have nearly as much fun anymore~ without all the suspense! Anticipation is half of the fun :-) You are right whenever it "does" happen it will have been something special we all were privy to and I, for one, hope it isn't over~yet!
    I do hope you are right about some "surprises" along the way, new names and faces carving out their "own" piece of history in this sport we love so very much~
    Please continue posting as I'm sure there are many of us who will enjoy your comments as they were intelligent, insightful and refreshing~spot on :-)
  4. Mastermind
    266. Posted by Mastermind Tue Oct 20 1:44am EDT

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    if nadal's always in great shape, he might surpass federer or sampras' record
  5. Stevo
    265. Posted by Stevo Tue Oct 20 1:21am EDT

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    Well lots of good commentary here driven by hearts and minds alike. Everything's eventual and whatever time the decline of Fedex-Rafa dominance occurs, we can all agree that it was something for the ages. Yin & Yang, technique vs brute force, grace vs power, cerebral strategy vs muscular determination, it has been great. Looking to the future, just earlier this year I also thought that Murray was the next big thing but somehow he has disappointed a bit - though still very impressive, he is still without a slam . . . after seeing the USO final, it seems to me that if JMDP can play at that level at the big events that he has the ability to prove himself as the one to beat maybe in 1-2 years. He's got all the tools. But - predicability is not as fun as the unexpected and I really hope that a few surprise youngsters will somehow pop up from a few unexpected places and wow us . . . sort of the way that Rafa wowed us about 5-6 years ago...As for the women - that's another story altogether so will leave for another thread !
  6. topseedno1
    264. Posted by topseedno1 Mon Oct 19 6:58pm EDT

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    Post 254-johnp and 259-pete'sbest14: Thank you very much for your kind words. iItis greatly appreciated. When I was very active in our Union- our leaders and superiors always remind us to turn the negative into positive. And reading the posts here ,there are so many negative posters, ( which at this time -had decreased, which pete'sbest14 had noticed too). It has become more of intelligent discussions and posters agreeing to disagree. johnp- you should have played the "Aida March"-played at the commencement exercises, when you were reading my post( just kidding !!!) as your background music!

    Again, thank you to both of you, my computer buddies!!!
  7. Joe
    263. Posted by Joe Mon Oct 19 3:12pm EDT

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    Nadal has got to deal with those knees so he can play in top form.
  8. johnp
    262. Posted by johnp Mon Oct 19 2:42pm EDT

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    Stephen...If you have read through these posts, you will see that yours is merely an echo. I guess you just couldn't resist....your right...I'm just saying.
  9. Steven
    261. Posted by Steven Mon Oct 19 2:09pm EDT

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    Agassi's stretching here. I definitely think he is correct about Nadal - knee problems at 22-23 are pretty serious, and when knees go, there's only so much you can do to repair them (and you aren't really at 100% after continual knee problems and repairs). I think I need to join the chorus in the belief that the way Nadal plays (really intense and 1000% effort) is excellent and wonderful to see, but it wears on you - you simply can't keep it up.

    Federer is a different story. His game and style is such that I think he EASILY has 3-4 good more years in him where he will clearly dominate. Murray is the next up and comer as #2, but people really need to recognize his style is very similar to Nadal's and it's been obvious in matches that when Murray overextends, he's pretty much useless. His reserves are...zero.
  10. pete'sbest14
    260. Posted by pete'sbest14 Mon Oct 19 2:05pm EDT

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    #255 Tinkerbell:
    Your "creative" assessment of Andre's opinion was just the funniest I've ever seen and spot on to be sure :-)
    Thank you for your gift of wit! Please continue to enlighten and enrich us with your charm and very obvious love of the sport~
  11. pete'sbest14
    259. Posted by pete'sbest14 Mon Oct 19 1:55pm EDT

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    #253 topseedno1

    topseed, this is the absolute BEST assessment I've read about this issue~and absolutely I totally agree with johnp!!!
    Your clarity, intelligence, insight and gentility in approach to a "delicate" issue was perfect and well balanced~
    Thank you so much for sharing your views which are mine as well.
    And yes, if the fans of tennis are blessed to have several more years, or simply a few more matches with these true Titans of the sport, we will have witnessed something few of any era have seen~something indeed special!!
    I feel fortunate I was a part of this spectacular "part" of tennis history, whether that is written tomorrow, or hopefully, many years from now~Sterling post topseed :-)
  12. Tony
    258. Posted by Tony Mon Oct 19 9:04am EDT

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    I saw some guys talking about scheduling of ATP, and I just realized that the whole December is empty. Isn't this enough for the players to rest, train, whatsoever and prepare for a new year?
  13. angelo
    257. Posted by angelo Mon Oct 19 9:01am EDT

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    Thank you Tinkerbell! Best, funniest, well written comment I've read in AGES!
    In addition, I agree with you to some extent that A.A.'s opinions are way premature and obvious, but do think that Nadal's particular injury is the worst he could have [and it's chronic!] considering his style of play. It's really a loss for tennis because whenever he lost- it was an event! When he was playing well [which seemed like all the time] he seemed utterly unstoppable. Now when he loses the knee will be blamed. And if my fave Federer ever beats him a couple of times to balance out their head to head, it'll be the knee that failed.
  14. Tri N
    256. Posted by Tri N Mon Oct 19 8:39am EDT

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    The way I see it , Federer / Nadal 's game is still good for another 3-5 years at least . The reason Fed loss in the final of USO 09 is just a bad luck day ( many distraction and his serve was way off ) . Nadal will come back . For the people don't want to see Fed / Nadal in the final . Well ! just watch the tournament that they 're not playing or... WTA , Good day to you .
  15. Tinkerbell
    255. Posted by Tinkerbell Mon Oct 19 7:36am EDT

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    This happens to be true . . .
    The other day, as I was stirring entrails in the dust, and my crystal ball was in the shop being polished, the Egyptian god Osiris appeared to me in the wrinkles of an old nectarine I was about to throw away. Osiris claimed to know that Andre Agassi was unable to predict (with any degree of certainty) whether the Sun would rise in the East the following morning, much less if Roger and Raphael were in their professional decline.
    Since Rafa is only 23, and Roger appeared in . . . was it all 4 major Finals?!?! . . . it certainly does sound to ME like A.A. is regurgitating opinions unworthy of merit.
    Why don't we all just wait and see, enjoy the oppportunities we receive, and stop lending credence to
    anyone with an opinion?
    I'd offer more, but I need to go outside and pick four-leaf clovers.
  16. johnp
    254. Posted by johnp Mon Oct 19 2:08am EDT

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    Topseedno1(253)...Your post is the best tribute to this issue that I have seen. I felt like I was at a commencement address when I was reading it. All should take notice. And now, by the power invested in me, I am now prepared to officially declare this thread ended. Amen and amen.
  17. topseedno1
    253. Posted by topseedno1 Mon Oct 19 1:25am EDT

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    Tennis Fans are not yet ready to accept that Rafa's and Roger's playing time in tennis will soon be ending- as Agassi had stated. The fans really had been used to seeing these two tennis great players play so well -taking out the best of each other- like an Agassi-Sampras Rivalry, in the 90's. As a result of Agassi's statement, the fans are in denial that these two top players dominance in this sport is coming to an end. Although, he was not specific as to when it will come, definetely- there will come a time for changing of the guards. It will take sometime to have another Roger Federer who year after year is continously competing in all Four Grand Slams Finals ,and also has been in the number one post for so many years.....For those who said they are tired of seeing Roger in the top place - and that they want to see other names to emerge as the new champions- it might be a longer wait for them. Meantime let's all enjoy watching these two top players play, while we can. If and when they finally will call it quits, whether at their own time or whether due to injuries and their health will no longer cooperate with them to play--there's nothing we can do-but remember them - that they had given the Tennis World in general and the tennis fans in particular happy, happy days watching them- play for us their avid fans. Whoever your favorite is Rafa or Roger-let's all wish both of them more playing years- injury free and very healthy to to able to play their very very best!!!
  18. pete'sbest14
    252. Posted by pete'sbest14 Sun Oct 18 10:25pm EDT

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    I love how nearly everyone on this thread is certain they know more than the next person about the Roger-Rafa Era ending thing. Even those whom admonish Andre's opinion (and I respectfully disagreed with his assessment too), seem to have their own crystal ball about the "details" of what and when things will play out..no pun intended :-)
    I love tennis because "on any given day anything can happen!"..and now more than ever I think this is true. I think 2010 may be shaping up to be a fantastic year for tennis lovers..perhaps seeing some break-through stars emerge, also some who have retired making a HUGE impact and shaking up the status quo!! Wouldn't that be FUN? Fun is why I love and watch this sport, pure unadulterated fun :-)
    As much as I love Roger and Rafa's rivalry, and I DO, the fact is each will leave the profession leaving his footprint and others will come in and we'll love them too. We'll always have our favorites..those whom inspired and thrilled us and made us keep coming back for more~year after glorious year~
  19. TA
    251. Posted by TA Sun Oct 18 10:04pm EDT

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    Federer still has it in him to one two or probably more wimbledon titles , remember he plans to be competing in less than 3 years at the LOndon olympics in Wimbledon in which he could win the giold medal. What has Murry won 0 Grandslam tiltles , nothing
  20. <i>ft10533</i>
    250. Posted by ft10533 Sun Oct 18 9:26pm EDT

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    After Federer stepping down from #1, I don't see anyone capable of holding the #1 post for more than a year. We may NEVER see another Roger Federer ever in the tennis field! Enjoy while it lasts.
  21. Robbie
    249. Posted by Robbie Sun Oct 18 6:47pm EDT

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    Agassi is just stating the obvious. He didnt say Frderer will drop out very soon. He said indirectly that age was the factor and at 28 he wiil lose dominance as he gets older. Thats a safe and obvious statement. As for Nadal if he continues to be rocked by this nagging knee injury he will lose his dominance too.
  22. blackdiamonds
    248. Posted by blackdiamonds Sun Oct 18 6:09pm EDT

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    Nadal has a well rested final in the Shanghai Masters after a retirement from opponent in the quarters; a retirement from opponent in the semis; and even with all of the extra rest, RAFA has a bad loss in the final--maybe Agassi DOES know a little about tennis! Congrats Davydenko.
  23. layla
    247. Posted by layla Sun Oct 18 2:45pm EDT

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    Federer will continue to whip everyone's butt for at a least another three to four years
    not buying this opinion at all.

    Nadal is too hard on the body when he plays and I believe he will continue to suffer set backs until his health is back at 100%. I think he came back to soon and did not take enough time off to heal from the last injury

    As far as Murray, well I do not agree with Agassi at all. I think he is a good player but I don't think he
    will ever have Federer's talent

    When the era does end I think it will be virtually an unknown who will take their place
  24. <i>kwelemi</i>
    246. Posted by kwelemi Sun Oct 18 1:57pm EDT

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    when i read like this i get very upset, who is Agassi? an iranian american! oh! please tell him to stop talking cus he is out and should leave this boys alone i just dont like hearing Agassi talk please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  25. Linda
    245. Posted by Linda Sun Oct 18 7:04am EDT

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    Yes I agree poster no.242 there are many good players but that "it" factor of Federer and Nadal is uniqe and replaceable.During the glorious days of Agassi there is also that "it" but not 100% as of Nadal and Federer. So folks lets just respect his opinion ok as everybody has the right to predict and me waiting for another Nadal/Federer match. Have a Nice Day
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