Novak Djokovic said a prerequisite for his next coach is "someone that has been through similar experiences like I have."
Could Andre Agassi be that coach?
Watch: Coachless Djokovic Not In Mood To Rush
The former world No. 1 has emerged as a potential coaching candidate for Djokovic, who announced he had dropped his coaching team earlier this month.
The 47-year-old Agassi, who like Djokovic owns a career Grand Slam and is one of the greatest returners in the sport's history, is under consideration as a coach or a coaching consultant, according to The Telegraph's Simon Briggs. Read the Telegraph report here.
“At this point there is no name to be singled out as this is just an initial stage of discussion with interested parties,” Djokovic's agent, Edoardo Artaldi, told The Telegraph.
Meeting with the media in Madrid, Djokovic made it clear he plans to take his time before hiring a new coach.
"Right now I'm at that stage where I just don't want to rush things," Djokovic said. "I'm completely confident in myself, and I believe in the process of change, that it's going to bring me some good things.
"I'm going to take a little bit more time to think of the next person that will be there as a tennis coach. But, as I said, I don't want to rush into it because I don't think I'm incapable of being by myself, or with my brother, with my family now on the court. I completely feel comfortable with him and by myself. When the right time comes and when the right person comes, I'll be more than happy to share that news with you guys."
A few reasons why Agassi could be averse to accepting a coaching position:
A devoted family man, Agassi has said he values his time at home with wife Steffi Graf and their two children, 15-year-old-son Jaden and 13-year-old daughter Jaz.
Agassi has declined television commentary offers in the past because he doesn't like to travel as much as his playing days.
The Las Vegas resident devotes much of his time to the Andre Agassi College Prepatory Academy, an acclaimed charter school he funded in Vegas and has said in the past he's not interested in a full-time coaching role.
"I would not have any room now with my kids, who are 15 and 13," Agassi said earlier this year when asked if he'd be interested in coaching Nick Kyrgios. "So the answer is no. I couldn’t do it the way I would need to do it."
There are similarities between Djokovic and Agassi. They own two of the best two-handed backhands, both can take the ball on the rise, both well-balanced off both forehand and backhand and both used the return of serve as an offensive weapon.
Additionally, both have pursued their support of education and philanthropy through their foundations.
Former Agassi rival Ivan Lendl has thrived in a part-time coaching role with world No. 1 Andy Murray so it's not out of the question Agassi could contribute as a consultant.
Still, if Agassi does accept some sort of role on Team Djokovic it would give Djokovic the experience of working with one of the game's most dominant servers—former coach Boris Becker—and one of its greatest returners in Agassi.
Agassi and Becker were bitter rivals during their days on the ATP Tour.
In his memoir, Open, Agassi recalled asking a US Open security guard to stand between the two men prior to a Flushing Meadows match to prevent a potential pre-match fist fight.
"Tennis is non contact pugilism," Agassi wrote in Open. "It's violent, mano a mano, kill or be killed. Beat or take your beat down...
"Before we take the court, as Becker and I stand in the tunnel, I tell the security guard, James: Keep us apart. I don't want this f--king German in my sight. Trust me, James, you don't want me to see him."
Photo credit: Tennis Australia