The Laver Cup returns for its eighth battle at Chase Arena in San Francisco, where Team World faces a steep climb for its third victory, and its first under the fiery command of new captain Andre Agassi. With vice captain Pat Rafter beside him, the two ATP No. 1 Club legends spark a bold new era of leadership. Agassi, once the game’s electrifying showman and a career Grand Slam champion, still burns with that unstoppable fire. And his passion took the spotlight as his mid-match coaching behavior with Reilly Opelka turned heads at the Laver Cup, proving the spirit of a champion never dies.

Andre Agassi’s coaching flair stole the spotlight as the Laver Cup’s official social media channels dropped a clip that has now gone viral. The video shows Agassi in full captain mode, coaching Reilly Opelka mid-match against Casper Ruud. With his trademark cool, Agassi delivered the golden line: “I am from Vegas, and it’s sheer math says you are going to get your opportunities. It’s what’s you do with it. Stay clear with it.”

The Laver Cup Instagram page lit up the moment with the cheeky caption, “Agassi knows math 🎰🎲,” while X added its own twist with, “Aye aye, captain 🫡.” It was a perfect mix of humor and fire, reminding fans that Agassi’s coaching game hits just as hard as his forehand.

Andre Agassi’s passionate mid-match pep talk may have lit a fire, but it couldn’t flip the outcome of the Reilly Opelka clash. The Norwegian Casper Ruud came in sharp, setting the tone with a commanding 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over the big-serving American.

Ruud, who revealed he is debuting a slightly smaller racquet head, played with unshakable precision and confidence. His serve was rock-solid, winning 88 percent of his first-serve points (45/51) and erasing both break points he faced, according to ATP Stats.

Opelka, by contrast, struggled to find cracks in Ruud’s game. He captured just 16 percent of his return points, while Ruud capitalized on 28 percent, dictating play and forcing Opelka to stay on the defensive far too often.

“The [goal was] to be in the zone, make a lot of balls, make him play and get Europe off to a good start,” Ruud said in his on-court interview. “Really happy with the match. I was in the same position last year and lost the opening match, so it’s good to get some revenge and begin strong for Europe.”

In another clash, Jakub Mensik battled past Alex Michelsen 6-1, 6-7(3), 10-8 in a rollercoaster encounter. Mensik lost serve late but rose to the moment in the Laver breaker, racing to a 4/0 lead and deflating Michelsen’s hopes. The American showed grit, clawing back to 7/8, but Mensik closed with a booming serve to Michelsen’s backhand, which sailed long.

Friday’s evening session promises fireworks as Flavio Cobolli faces Joao Fonseca, followed by Carlos Alcaraz and Mensik teaming up against Taylor Fritz and Michelsen. Down 2-0, Team World turns to Agassi’s coaching mantra, clarity, courage, and relentless belief, as the ultimate key to sparking an American comeback.

Andre Agassi’s winning formula for Team World

Andre Agassi has stepped into a new chapter, taking over from John McEnroe as Team World’s captain, while Yannick Noah now leads Team Europe after the legendary Bjorn Borg’s tenure. Despite Team World trailing 2-0, Agassi’s presence has already begun shaping the squad’s mindset.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee recently opened up about his approach to leadership, giving fans a glimpse into his strategy. In the pre-event press conference, Agassi said, “Coaching is about what somebody hears, not what you say. It’s learning about people, about players, in real time,” as reported by the Laver Cup.

When asked about managing athletes from various nationalities, he added, “I think the most important thing is to understand how they process. We all work so differently,” noting that it’s “going to be so important to understand in real-time what they’re looking for — information, clarity, focus, energy.”

Agassi made it clear that his leadership style would be simple but sharp. “Everybody responds differently. I’ve had a chance to talk to a few of their coaches as well. It’s hard to parachute into these guys’ lives and act like you know everything. I don’t.”

Concluding with a touch of humility, the former World No.1 said, “I’m trying not to interfere with what they already do so great that gets them here in the first place. Trying to learn is the first role of being the captain.” 

The question now is: can Agassi’s captaincy ignite the fire needed to flip today’s matches and turn the tide for Team World?