Grigor Dimitrov speaks very highly of new coach Andre Agassi after AO win
Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov wasn't particularly concerned about his head-to-head record against Serb Janko Tipsarevic before their Australian Open first round clash.
Dimitrov, seeded at No. 20, defeated former world No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-4 to set up a second round clash against Pablo Cuevas.
The head-to-head record between Tipsarevic and Dimitrov now stands at 4-2 in the Serb's favor.
"Not really. I mean, the past is the past. I mean, I knew that he's a very tricky opponent. I know how he can play. We had quite a few battles, as you said, in the past," Dimitrov said post-match, when asked if the previous four losses were in his head before the math.
"So, yeah, I mean, I just was looking forward to just playing that match. It was the first match back for me at a slam, so I was just kind of happy to focus on my side and see where I was at."
Dimitrov is joined by Danii Vallverdu and former world No. 1 Andre Agassi at the Australian Open.
Dimitrov and Agassi kicked off their collaboration at the Paris Masters and continued it at the beginning of the new season.
"At some point last year, I think mid through the year, me and Dani sat down to talk about our goals, objectives, and so on. I have known Andre for a really long time, since I was 14 I have spent some time with him back in the past, in Vegas. And we just wanted to kind of add a person that has done a little bit of, I mean, of what we are trying to achieve, you know," Dimitrov explained how the relationship between him and Agassi started.
"There was one person that I could trust unconditionally, and that was him. So we spoke with Dani and ultimately both of us kind of reached out and just, yeah, seek for a little bit of help. Step by step, we developed our relationship and next thing you know he's in here watching my first match."
Dimitrov is enjoying being around Agassi.
"As you said, he's done so much outside of the court. I'm going to start with that. I'm just a better person, period. On a daily basis, I have learned something new from him," Dimitrov claimed.
"Sometimes some of the things that he says, it doesn't really, it has nothing to do with tennis, absolutely nothing to do with tennis. And today before the match we are talking about completely different stuff. I was, like, ‘Oh, that feels nice’. I think he also keeps me on point, keeps me on check. He's just trying to remind you of the good things in life.
"Of course on the court when we are together, we are really zoomed in, very focused. He's super intense on the court. We are all like, I mean, on the same page.
"That's really important. But, I mean, the biggest thing that stands out is that I'm learning something every single day."
Also read: Extremely motivated Thanasi Kokkinakis aiming to give it all at home slam
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2SQav9k
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