Tennis legend Andre Agassi has ignited speculation of a potential coaching role with rising star Holger Rune after the two were spotted training together intensely on the practice courts in Washington D.C., just days after the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. The surprise collaboration has generated significant buzz across the tennis world and social media as Rune prepares for the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
A Surprise Appearance and Intense Training
Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, was seen providing hands-on guidance to the 22-year-old Dane during a high-intensity hitting session at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Eyewitnesses and circulated videos showed Agassi and Rune engaged in discussions about footwork and rally strategy, suggesting a more formal interaction than a casual meet-up. While no official announcement has been made regarding a long-term coaching partnership, sources close to the situation indicate it could be a three-day trial to assess chemistry and for Agassi to offer a fresh perspective.
The appearance comes at a crucial time for Rune, who is looking to rebound from a challenging 2025 season, including a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon. He aims to regain form during the North American hardcourt swing.
Agassi’s Prior Coaching Stints
Andre Agassi has limited but notable experience in coaching roles since his retirement from professional tennis. He previously coached Novak Djokovic from 2017 to 2018, a period during which he reportedly worked for free, driven by a desire to help the Serbian star and contribute to the sport. Agassi also had a coaching arrangement with Grigor Dimitrov from 2018 to 2020. His past coaching endeavors, though sometimes brief, indicate a willingness to share his vast knowledge with top players.
Holger Rune’s Dynamic Coaching History
Holger Rune is well-known on the ATP Tour for frequently changing coaches. His coaching history has been notably dynamic over the last two seasons, with a series of high-profile names passing through his team.
A Shifting Roster of Mentors
Rune’s long-time mentor, Lars Christensen, has been a constant presence, accompanying him since his childhood. However, Rune has also sought guidance from several other experienced tennis minds:
- Patrick Mouratoglou: Rune worked with Mouratoglou multiple times, first hiring him in October 2022. Their on-again, off-again partnership saw Rune achieve significant success, including his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the 2022 Paris Masters. They parted ways for a third time in July 2024.
- Boris Becker: Rune worked with Boris Becker, though they later separated.
- Severin Lüthi: Roger Federer’s former coach, Severin Lüthi, also had a short stint with Rune.
- Kenneth Carlsen: Most recently, Rune brought Danish former player Kenneth Carlsen onboard as his head coach in August 2024, with Christensen returning in a supporting role. Carlsen has a strong connection to Rune’s development, having known him since he was 12-13 years old.
- Benjamin Ebrahimzadeh: Rune also briefly worked with Benjamin Ebrahimzadeh as a temporary coach during the Asian swing in late 2024 when Carlsen was unavailable.
These frequent transitions have kept fans and analysts guessing about the stability of Rune’s team, but his mother, Aneke Rune, has stated that “ego clashes” sometimes contributed to these changes, emphasizing that Rune does what “he feels is right.”
Potential Impact on Rune’s Future
Rune, currently ranked No. 8 in the world, was once touted alongside Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as part of the next “Big 3” of men’s tennis. While he has achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 4 and won five ATP Tour singles titles, he has yet to consistently reach the deeper stages of Grand Slams, reaching three major quarterfinals to date.
The involvement of a tennis icon like Agassi, even if temporary, could provide Rune with invaluable insights and a fresh perspective as he seeks to elevate his game and achieve greater consistency. The focus on footwork and strategy observed during their D.C. training session suggests that Agassi might be looking to refine key aspects of Rune’s aggressive game. The tennis world will be keenly watching to see if this rumored collaboration blossoms into a more permanent arrangement and what impact it might have on Holger Rune’s performance in the upcoming tournaments and beyond.
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