Agassi tips \\\'dynamic\\\' Nishikori to join grand slam club

FE Team | Published: November 23, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

TOKYO: US tennis legend Andre Agassi (R) speaks with Japan\'s Kei Nishikori (L) before he serves during their doubles exhibition tennis match against former Japanese player Shuzo Matsuoka and Nishikori\'s coach Michael Chang of the US here Saturday. AFP

TOKYO, Nov 22 (AFP): Former tennis great Andre Agassi Saturday backed Japanese superstar Kei Nishikori to become a grand slam winner, hailing him as one of the greatest shot-makers ever.
Nishikori has climbed to number five in the world after a breakout year in which he won four titles and reached US Open final, but Agassi insisted it was only a matter of time before the swashbuckling 24-year-old captures one of the four majors.
"Listen, he was one match away from US Open," the former world number one told the news agency after going toe-to-toe with Nishikori in an exhibition event in Tokyo.
"Probably the biggest reason for (not winning the title) was the physical wear and tear over the course of the tournament, and sometimes that's a bit unlucky."
"There is no question in my mind he believes he can win a slam," added Agassi, 44, who won eight grand slam titles in an illustrious career before retiring in 2006 -- the year before Nishikori made his professional debut.
"I've seen him play with that purpose. From a talent perspective, he's very capable of winning a grand slam. He's dynamic and incredibly fast."
Agassi, who smacked several eye-popping shots past Nishikori before going down 8-6 in an abbreviated match, insisted that the Japanese had the weapons to topple the game's big three of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.