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22 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 4 MARCH 2015 Sport TENNIS Andre Agassi says US tennis needs time to 'regroup' Eight-time grand slam champion Andre Agassi believes American men's tennis has to "regroup at grass roots level" if it ever wants to boast a world number one again THE United States take on Great Britain in the Davis Cup in Glas- gow this weekend, hoping to avenge last year's 3-1 defeat in San Diego. World number five Andy Murray will lead the charge for Britain and goes into the first-round World Group tie as the stand-out singles player, with America's John Isner and Donald Young ranked only 20th and 47th respectively. It is a far cry from the days of Agassi, who lifted the Davis Cup in 1990, 1992 and 1995 alongside the likes of seven-time Wimble- don champion Pete Sampras and four-time major winner Jim Cou- rier. The last time America produced a male grand slam winner was 2003, when Agassi won the Aus- tralian Open and Andy Roddick triumphed in Flushing Meadows. "Being the next Andy Roddick or the next Andre Agassi will still leave you shy of winning tour- naments these days. That's the truth," Agassi said. "Will we ever have a number one player again? That's achievable, of course it is, but the four guys at the top now - Roger Federer, Ra- fael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - they have rede- fined what this sport is all about over the last 10 years. "You need something unique these days to make inroads, espe- cially growing up in a country that doesn't have red clay courts. "I don't know where Andy spent his childhood playing (he spent time in Spain as a teenager) but he plays the game like he wasn't just playing indoors. "We don't have that in America. We have a lot of fast court players and the ones who do shine are the ones who bring a different equa- tion. "Isner, for example, is a mon- ster, he's 6ft10in plus with a huge game, so we have to regroup at a grass roots level." Despite a shock defeat to 18- year-old Borna Coric in Dubai last week, Murray will be expected to win both his singles matches in Glasgow. That means the tie could depend on the doubles rubber, where Andy and Jamie Murray are set to face American twins Bob and Mike Bryan, the most successful duo of all time. "It's a tough ask for both teams because there's very little that separates it," Agassi said. "We have a big advantage in our doubles but you guys have a huge advantage with Murray. "People think he's coming off a bad loss but I've got news for you; he's going to be ready to go in a week and he's going to be playing his best tennis in front of a home crowd. "I hope we can get over the fin- ishing line and I' ll have my fingers crossed like the rest of us." Agassi has previously admitted an interest in a coaching career and is even considered a potential mentor for Murray, who idolised the American as a junior. "I enjoy the idea of coaching but I wouldn't physically, emotionally and mentally be able to do the job that I would want to do," Agassi said. "You can't just step in and give advice. Coaching isn't talking, it's learning. "The things I say about Andy are not going to be a surprise to him. "It's finding out what that switch is, it's getting them to see some- thing a different way and you can't do that until you spend time and learn with them. "I can't commit the time now, even if I wanted to, I have too many responsibilities. "That doesn't mean there wouldn't be a time in the future, but I can't do it at the moment." Andre Agassi Bartoli hints at return Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has sparked speculation she will come out of retirement less than two years after bowing out of the sport THE 30-year-old left the profes- sional game a month after her Wimbledon triumph in 2013. Bartoli has since worked as a commentator and started a new career in fashion, launching a jew- elry collection and a shoe line. The Frenchwoman, who strug- gled with injuries throughout her 14-year career, raised the ques- tion of a possible comeback on her Twitter page. "Coming back or not com- ing back to tennis? What do you think? Should I?" Bartoli said. The tweet immediately trig- gered speculation in French and English-language news media of a possible comeback. L'Equipe, an inf luential French sports newspaper, said a return would be hard for Bartoli given her admission that excessive physical stress was one of the main reasons for retiring - but added her age should not be an obstacle. "Marion Bartoli has just turned 30. It's not too late to go back to winning. Serena Williams, the boss of the circuit, continues to rule the WTA roost at 33," said the paper. Marion Bartoli: Former Wimbledon champion hints at comeback BOXING Manny, Floyd meet next week MANNY Pacquiao and Floyd May- weather will come face to face next week for the first time since their mega-fight was con- firmed. The pair will hold a joint press confer- ence on March 11 in Los Angeles and will not meet again until the final press con- ference at the MGM Grand in the days be- fore the May 2 showdown. Both fighters have begun training for the bout, with Pacquiao arriv- ing in Los Angeles over the weekend from the Philippines. He will train at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, while Mayweather trains in his own gym in Las Vegas. Pacquiao will start his preparations without trainer Freddie Roach, who is away until next week as he prepares Zou Shiming's for his first world title fight against Amnat Ruenroeng in Macao on Saturday. Roach admitted that Pacquiao's training regime will take place away from the spotlight. "I won't tell you what the game plan is because that will be very silent," he told the South China Morning Post. "The whole Wild Card will be shut down and we will work out Manny's best strategy and nobody will watch it." Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao