“I cannot believe how easy he (Federer) makes it look. It almost pisses me off that he just makes it look so easy,” That sentiment from Andre Agassi captured the essence of Roger Federer’s brilliance on court, effortless, precise, almost infuriating to witness. The Swiss maestro has always had a way of making tennis look deceptively simple, leaving opponents feeling small in his shadow. Now, with both icons enjoying retirement, Roger at the Laver Cup and Agassi leading Team World as captain, Federer finally opened up on why he hated practicing with Agassi, revealing the intense challenge behind the apparent ease.

The roars from fans for Roger Federer remain thunderous, undimmed by time. The Swiss legend and Laver Cup co-founder stepped into the Fan Zone at Thrive City outside the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday, making a memorable appearance on Andy Roddick’s live Served podcast. 

Amid reflections on a new era of tennis dominated by heavy-hitting baseline warriors, Federer turned the conversation to a more personal battlefield: practicing with Andre Agassi.

“I didn’t like practicing with Andre because it was just like bang bang bang. And I’m thinking, well, it would be nice to roll a couple, hit a few, slice a few. And it’s none of that, you know? It’s like three big shots and the fourth one just rockets past you like that,” Federer admitted, his words painting a vivid picture of the intensity that defined their sessions.

He elaborated further on the contrasting styles, revealing his own approach to training. “And anyway, that’s not how I train, you know, that’s also not how you do it. I mean, we have high intensity, but we do different things. So, it’s incredible actually how we all can practice and play in different ways and actually get to a successful place,” he explained, highlighting the discipline behind his fluid elegance.

Agassi, nicknamed “The Punisher,” had been molded to hit every shot with maximum force. He became a punishing baseline presence, rarely venturing to the net, thriving on early strikes and relentless racquet head speed. 

Deep, flat, or moderately topspun, his shots relentlessly pushed opponents to their limits. His return of serve, arguably the finest in tennis history, could send the ball back harder than it arrived, and his ability to create acute cross-court or down-the-line winners made him a nightmare to face.

Over years of grueling training, Agassi built unmatched strength and resilience, his punishing style complemented by lateral speed and dogged endurance. He wore opponents down, one penetrating shot after another, forcing them into errors while dominating rallies with a relentless intensity that few could match. For Federer, practicing against such a force was as exhilarating as it was exhausting.

And while Federer reflected on the grueling challenge of training with Agassi, the Swiss maestro has also shared tantalizing news about a possible return to the court. For fans, the revelation is bittersweet, a reminder of his enduring brilliance and grace, tempered by the reality that the return of this icon, the player who makes tennis look effortless, might not be around the corner just yet.

Roger Federer announces final decision on Rafael Nadal comeback plans

In the same Podcast, Andy Roddick asked the question every tennis fan secretly dreams about: could the Roger-Rafa magic ever light up the court soon? Federer didn’t dodge the inquiry. “We’ve been talking a while, since maybe playing in exo but I saw him in the summer, and I asked him when the last time you played tennis, and it was in November, so he’s not ready,” he said, speaking about Rafa with the honesty only a friend and rival could offer.

Yet beneath that candid response beats the heart of a competitor. “I’m not ready, really, I guess, to a certain level, but it would be nice to get on court together, not just with Rafa, but with you, Andy, or with anyone really, because I think it’s nice to spread the love for tennis and inspire the young generation and be around the people,” Federer added. Almost like a soft encore, he continued, “I don’t know. I love it. So, I had to take a bit of a break, you know, from just being on court. And maybe now it’s time to maybe soon rip the band-aid off. I’m not sure, but I would love it.”

The Swiss maestro’s words were full of longing, a yearning for the game that shaped him into a global icon. Fans could feel his passion, his love for the sport, and the thrill of sharing the court with old rivals and new faces alike.

Just yesterday, Federer’s longtime agent, Tony Godsick, president and CEO of TEAM8, sat down with Tennis Channel and added another layer to the story. When asked about Federer’s potential return, Godsick didn’t hesitate. “I’ve been pressuring him a little bit, saying, come on, people want to see you play again. You can play a couple of senior things,” he revealed, hinting that discussions with the Swiss legend were quietly underway.

For fans of both Federer and Nadal, the revelation was bittersweet. While the possibility of a doubles reunion remains distant, the excitement of even a hint of action is enough to ignite imaginations.

One thing is certain: these icons will return, in their own time. Whether it’s tomorrow or next season, the tennis world waits with bated breath, knowing that when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal step back on court together, it will be nothing short of magic.