Chapter 984: Primary and Secondary

There is no doubt that Agassi and Sampras are both typical hard court players, and the worst Grand Slam performances of both players in their careers were at the French Open.

Sampras is particularly prominent.

The world tennis king's winning rate at the French Open is a pitiful 64.86%, which is not even on the same level as the other three Grand Slams. Even at the peak of his career, every year when the clay court season comes, Sampras completely loses control of the game and has none of the dominance and style of a tennis king.

Until his retirement, Sampras' best result at the French Open was just one semi-final and three quarter-finals, and that was all.

That is to say, for Sampras, it is very, very difficult as the French Open enters its second week.

In comparison, Agassi is slightly better.

Unlike Sampras who serves and volleys, Agassi is a typical baseline player who can play on clay with his solid baseline skills.

Looking at Agassi's performance on clay courts throughout his career, his French Open winning rate is 76.11%. Although he is not a top player and is at the bottom of his own four Grand Slam records, he is already very close to the first tier.

Moreover, Agassi also performed well in terms of his best record. At the French Open, he reached the quarterfinals four times, the semifinals twice, and the finals three times, winning one of them.

In the 1999 French Open final, Agassi faced Andrei-Medvedev, a dark horse unseeded player who had eliminated top seed Sampras and three-time champion Kuerten.

"1:6", "2:6", he lost the first two sets, but Agassi made a comeback and won three sets in a row to become the champion and also won the only French Open championship in his career.

It was also because of this that in this year's Australian Open final, when Agassi saw Gawain complete the feat of coming back from 2-0 down to 3-0, and that was against Djokovic, he couldn't help but feel his heart pounding and tears welling up in his eyes, and the surging emotions made him lose his composure for a rare time.

A horizontal comparison makes the situation clear at a glance.

Compared to Sampras, Agassi's understanding, adaptation, reading, adjustment, etc. of clay are obviously better.

Although Sampras was very reluctant to admit it, he had to admit it.

At least on clay courts, Agassi has more advantages than himself and he should be Gao Wen's head coach.

This was not an easy task for Sampras.

He is used to taking the initiative and giving orders. This has never changed from the past to now. He is always surrounded by the halo of praise and glory. His every move can cause huge waves, as if the whole world revolves around him.

He couldn't imagine himself becoming a supporting role, couldn't imagine himself being forgotten by the spotlight, and even more couldn't imagine himself being reduced to the embarrassment and cowardice of struggling hard for the qualification for a Grand Slam. He refused to imagine himself losing to a player ranked outside the top 300 in the world and having to face failure every day.

So, he chose to retire, and when his career slowly began to decline, he resolutely turned around at the peak of winning the US Open championship again.

At least, he can leave behind a bright and beautiful back, and all the memories on the court are beautiful. There is no need for life to fall into the muddy and ugly state and then clean up the mess.

That's Sampras' personality.

In a sense, this is also the reason why Sampras has always refused to coach anyone.

He was worried that his pride might ruin his relationship with the players, and he would end up in disgrace. He couldn't imagine such a mess.

Until Gawain appeared.

Sampras admitted that after just half a year together, he rediscovered the excitement and thrill of competition, the joy and excitement of victory, and of course, the pain and suffering of defeat. In a trance, he returned to his playing days and began to enjoy tennis again.

One step, then another.

Quietly, imperceptibly, Sampras was transforming into a competent coach, surprising even himself.

In order to enhance Gawain's ability to hold the line, he extended an olive branch to Agassi.

In order to improve Gao Wen's clay court game ability, he is willing to step back and give up the initiative.

Sampras sincerely hoped that Gawain could go one step further and he considered Gawain wholeheartedly, unknowingly switching to coaching mode.

but!

Sampras tossed and turned, struggling and tormented for so long, and finally made up his mind, but what happened to Agassi's expression and reaction?

Boom!

The head exploded.

"What's that expression on your face?"

"Are you laughing at me? Or are you questioning my sincerity? Wait, or are you unwilling?"

"I've been thinking about this and struggling for so long, and this is your reaction? Just this?"

"I'm a joke to you, right?"

"Andre Agassi..."

As he spoke, without realizing it, Sampras' voice became higher and higher, his emotions became more and more agitated, and the curse words were already on the tip of his tongue, about to burst out.

Agassi stopped Sampras in time, but didn't say much, just gestured to the training ground with his eyes.

"You wouldn't want them to know, would you?"

Sampras immediately slammed on the brakes and controlled his temper, but he still glared at Agassi fiercely, his face full of indignation.

He was not adapted to it, not used to it, and did not like it.

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As soon as the words came out, Sampras felt uncomfortable all over. This was not his style, so he was like a powder keg, on the verge of exploding at any moment.

Agassi knows his old rival well, and the more so, the more Sampras doesn't want others to know, and he will certainly do his best to maintain his image.

Sure enough, with just a look and a hint, Sampras was able to control himself.

Agassi secretly admires Graf——

This move is actually what Graf used against Agassi. Now Agassi uses it against Sampras. It is equally effective and useful.

Therefore, Graf is the real master.

Then Agassi explained.

"I was just a little surprised."

"Peter, even you are surprised, let alone me."

Agassi looked at Sampras and gave a faint smile.

Sampras was stunned for a moment, raised his hand to stroke his hair, touched his pocket, trying to find a cigarette, and realized a little too late that he did not bring the cigarette to the training ground, and the curve of his mouth corners rose even more.

“I also feel that I am very strange like this.”

Agassi shook his head.

"I think you are very familiar with this. It's like returning to the old arena. We all enjoy the joy of victory, but compared to victory, we enjoy the excitement brought by competition, fighting, and confrontation even more."

"Just like skydiving, the thrill of free fall is addictive."

Sampras paused and shook his head slightly. "No wonder people always say that the person who knows you best is not your friend, but your enemy."

Agassi shrugged and didn't comment, then brought the topic back to the topic, "What you just said, is it true? Are you going to take over the clay court season?"

Sampras nodded, but then shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not resigning from the head coach position. I'm just adjusting the primary and secondary positions. I'm still Gao Wen's head coach. Don't think too much."

Watching Sampras' nervous explanation, Agassi laughed happily.

(End of this chapter)