{
  "id": 9585547,
  "title": "Agassi demands proper break for exhausted tennis stars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/agassi-demands-proper-break-for-exhausted-tennis-stars-9585547",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T15:59:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/24/agassi-demands-proper-break-for-exhausted-tennis-stars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Andre Agassi, the retired eight-time Grand Slam champion, has called for a proper off-season for tennis players who have become physically exhausted due to the demanding nature of the sport since he retired in 2006. The 56-year-old will lead Team World against Team Europe at the Laver Cup in London, a three-day exhibition event featuring six players, including Australia's Alex de Minaur and former Grand Slam finalist Taylor Fritz.\n\nAgassi, who recently expressed his support for players over issues of rest, said in an interview, \"Nothing matters more to me than my players.\" He further elaborated, \"Tennis has become more physically demanding since I quit.\" He highlighted the brutality of the current equipment, stating, \"Courts and balls like these are sort of the most brutal form of the sport.\"\n\nAgassi believes players need a proper rest period at the end of each season, a point that has been a recurring theme in the sport for years. He added, \"I think that they cover more real estate than (vice-captain) Pat (Rafter) and I ever really had to do in our day.\" He emphasized the importance of giving players time to recover, stating, \"I hope for a relative form of security for both the players, but also for the fans so that they look forward to the game.\"\n\nAgassi acknowledged the packed calendar for the Laver Cup, a high-profile event that does not offer ranking points. Despite this, he stressed that the event should not compromise the well-being of its star athletes. He said, \"I d hate to see the compromise ever come on an event like this that is hosted under such a magnificent name and person that none of us would be here today without in this game.\" Agassi expressed his desire for these world-class athletes to always be at their best, believing that it benefits everyone involved in tennis.",
  "summary": "Andre Agassi says players deserve a proper rest at the end of each season, an issue long discussed in the sport.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Agassi demands proper break for exhausted tennis stars",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/agassi-demands-proper-break-for-exhausted-tennis-stars",
        "published": "2026-09-24T15:12:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Agassi demands proper break for exhausted tennis stars",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/agassi-demands-proper-break-for-exhausted-tennis-stars-9586053",
        "published": "2026-09-24T15:59:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}