Agassi addition psyches Novak for Paris push

Serb appoints American great as coach for Roland Garros defense

ROME - Novak Djokovic revealed on Sunday that American great Andre Agassi will be his coach for the French Open, but said a "long-term commitment" has not been agreed yet.

"I spoke to Andre the last couple weeks on the phone, and we decided to get together in Paris. So he is going be there," said Djokovic., who was beaten 6-4, 6-3 in the Rome Masters final on Sunday by 20-year-old German Alexander Zverev.

"We'll see what the future brings. We are both excited to work together and see where it takes us.

Novak Djokovic looks to the heavens during the Rome Masters final against Alexander Zverev on Sunday. German Zverev stunned Serbia's world No 2 6-4, 6-3. Reuters

"We don't have any long-term commitment. It's just us trying to get to know each other in Paris a little bit."

Djokovic returns to Paris next weekend as the defending champion but looking to improve his clay-court game after an inconsistent spell.

He parted with long-time coach Marian Vajda earlier this month, having also ended a three-year relationship with six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker at the end of last season in a bid to get back to his best.

Becker backed Djokovic's decision on Twitter.

"Excellent choice from @DjokerNole for bringing @AndreAgassi into his team! Wishing both lots of luck in the future together!" the German tweeted.

Given his performances of late, Djokovic will be hoping 47-year-old Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, can make a positive contribution.

The Serb was outplayed by Spanish nemesis Rafa Nadal on his way to defeat in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters last week.

And despite reaching the final in Rome on Sunday, Djokovic looked well below his clinical best before losing to Zverev in one hour 21 minutes.

Next up is his Roland Garros title defense, and Djokovic added: "He (Agassi) will not stay the whole tournament. He's going to stay only to a certain time, and then we'll see after that what's going to happen.

"Obviously, Andre is someone that I have tremendous respect for as a person and as a player. He has been through everything that I'm going through.

"You know, on the court he understands the game amazingly well. I am enjoying every conversation that I have with him. But also, on the other hand, he's someone that nurtures family values.

"He's a very humble man, is very educated. You know, he's a person that can contribute to my life on and off the court a lot. I'm very excited to see what is ahead of us."

Agassi, unlike television pundit Becker, has been away from the sport for a considerable time having retired in 2006.

Djokovic was thrilled to get 1999 French Open champion Agassi on board.

"I persuaded him," he said.

He's someone that has been so successful in tennis, and he's a legend of our sport.

"He's made a mark in this sport forever. He's won everything there is to win.

"You know, he was a revolutionary player because he had this charisma, he had this, you know, approach to tennis and to life that was quite different from others.

"That's why he was so interesting. Yes, he has been away from the tour for last 10, 15 years, but speaking with him, he's been definitely following all the matches closely, the big matches, especially on the TV."

"It was his call whether or not he wants to take that step and, you know, try to work with me.

"He has accepted it, and I'm very grateful for that. It's exciting, of course. I'm very happy about it."

Nadal is Zverez's French favorite

Alexander Zverev refused to back himself to add a maiden Grand Slam to his first Masters crown on Sunday, insisting Rafa Nadal remained the man to beat at the French Open.

The 20-year-old Zverev stunned world No 2 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in the Rome Masters final to put himself in the frame as a potential champion at Roland Garros when the second major of the year starts in Paris on Sunday.

However, Germany's Zverev said: "No, the favorite is still definitely Rafael Nadal. Strong favorite.

"And the others, the rest, it's going to be quite open.

"I think Novak is playing quite great again. Dominic (Thiem) has been showing he's been playing very, very well.

"I just won here. So I've got to put me on that list, even though, you know, I don't want to sound like I want to say that I'm the favorite myself or something like this."

Nadal is going for a 10th French Open title while Djokovic is the defending champion.

Zverev reached the third round in Paris in 2016 in just his second appearance at the tournament.

This year he will go to Roland Garros as the new world No 10.

Zverev now has four career titles, three of which have come this year, while Djokovic, who turns 30 on Monday, was denied what would have been a record 31st Masters title.

"Playing against Novak, one of the best players to ever play - it was an honor being on the court with you," said Zverev, the first player born in the 1990s to win a Masters title.

"You're an amazing player. Unfortunately this week you didn't win, but I'm sure as we get closer to Paris you'll be one of the favorites for the title."

Zverev broke in the first game of the final on his way to the first set and carved out the crucial first break of the second set in the third game.

"I knew I had to be aggressive from the first point on and to the last," added Zverev, who has known Djokovic for many years having trained with the Serb.

"It was very important for me to be able to stay this aggressive and don't let him take over the match.

"Against someone like Novak, it's always very tough to get into rallies.

"I thought maybe if he's a bit cold, he'll give me one or two unforced errors in the beginning which can help me to break him."

Agence France-Presse