{"id":2217647,"date":"2026-10-24T21:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T18:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2217647"},"modified":"2026-10-24T21:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T18:00:30","slug":"like-novak-djokovic-and-andre-agassi-had-a-baby-atp-tour-warned-about-special-talent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2217647","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Like Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi had a baby&#8217; &#8211; ATP Tour warned about &#8216;special&#8217; talent"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">\u2018Like Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi had a baby\u2019 \u2013 ATP Tour warned about \u2018special\u2019 talent<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-x-3 gap-y-1 md:gap-x-4 flex-wrap items-center\">\n                        <span class=\"ps-authors flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-1.5 max-w-full gap-y-0.5 text-sm font-normal text-author\"><span class=\"ps-author-item whitespace-nowrap\"><a class=\"ps-author text-sm font-normal !text-author\" rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/richie-mills\">Richie Mills<\/a><\/span><\/span>                        <time class=\"flex-shrink-0 text-sm font-normal text-info\" datetime=\"24 Oct 2026 10:00 PM\" data-ps-date=\"24 Oct 2026 10:00 PM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1792875630\"><br \/>\n                            24 Oct 2026 10:00 PM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" 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href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-andre-agassi-had-baby-atp-tour-warned-special-talent\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to twitter\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-andre-agassi-had-baby-atp-tour-warned-special-talent\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/\/send\/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-andre-agassi-had-baby-atp-tour-warned-special-talent\" aria-label=\"Share to whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-andre-agassi-had-baby-atp-tour-warned-special-talent\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"\u2018Like Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi had a baby\u2019 \u2013 ATP Tour warned about \u2018special\u2019 talent\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2MTKRPB-1-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Rafael Jodar&#8217;s return game has been likened to Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p>Rafael Jodar\u2019s return game has been likened to all-time greats <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/novak-djokovic\">Novak Djokovic<\/a> and Andre Agassi.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/rafael-jodar\">Jodar<\/a> has been the breakout star of men\u2019s tennis in 2026, with the 20-year-old rising from outside the world\u2019s top 150 at the start of the year to the cusp of the top 10.<\/p>\n<p>Following the Spaniard\u2019s Shanghai Open final run, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/how-rafael-jodar-shanghai-masters-run-affects-atp-finals-qualification-race-to-turin-rankings\">Jodar jumped to ninth in the Race<\/a>, which would see him qualify for the ATP Finals due to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/jannik-sinner-2026-season-over-injury-update\">injury withdrawal of Jannik Sinner<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Despite being so young, the 6ft 3in Jodar has very few weaknesses. He moves well, can serve big, his groundstrokes are consistent and penetrating, and mental strength-wise, he looks strong, too.<\/p>\n<p>But according to analyst Gill Gross, the best part of Jodar\u2019s game is his destructive return. The commentator believes the world No 11\u2019s return game has shades of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/andre-agassi\">Agassi<\/a>, who was known as an offensive returner.<\/p>\n<h2>More ATP Tour News<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-2 mt-3 px-3 text-base font-semibold leading-snug text-title xs:px-4\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/2026-vienna-open-draw-carlos-alcaraz-alexander-zverev-daniil-medvedev\">2026 Vienna Open Draw: Carlos Alcaraz faces tough test as Alexander Zverev learns his fate<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-2 mt-3 px-3 text-base font-semibold leading-snug text-title xs:px-4\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/never-seen-that-no-5-distracted-bizarre-incident-incredible-match\">\u2018Never ever seen that\u2019 \u2013 Former world No 5 distracted by bizarre incident during \u2018incredible\u2019 match<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And while Gross doesn\u2019t put him at the same level as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/novak-djokovic\">Djokovic<\/a> when it comes to neutralising a serve, there are similarities there, too.<\/p>\n<p>Gross said on his <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hVzaCT_PIPk\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube channel<\/a>, \u201c<span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 3:33\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"213200\" data-end=\"216840\">It is clearly at this stage in time his special sauce.<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 3:38\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"217700\" data-end=\"222020\">You talk about Andre Agassi as an offensive returner,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 3:43\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"222740\" data-end=\"224140\">somebody who would take the ball early,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 3:46\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"225660\" data-end=\"229720\">who would find the centre of the strings and get the ball back on you quickly.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201c<span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 3:52\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"231750\" data-end=\"236610\">You look at Novak Djokovic, a master of neutralisation,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 3:57\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"237470\" data-end=\"241190\">incredible length, athleticism, ranginess,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:02\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"241950\" data-end=\"245610\">an ability to defend the service box, to take a quality serve<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:07\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"247270\" data-end=\"250170\">and to find a way to minimize the damage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:12\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"252190\" data-end=\"257480\">\u201cJodar, in some ways, is like those two who had a baby.<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:18\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"258459\" data-end=\"262520\">Now, I don\u2019t think that he is as good a defensive returner as Djokovic,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:24\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"263780\" data-end=\"269200\">but he is like Andre Agassi if you grew Andre five inches, a<\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:30\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"269940\" data-end=\"271640\">nd that is pretty significant to me.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>He added, \u201c<span><span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:45\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"285280\" data-end=\"289600\">I don\u2019t want to say that Jodar is Agassi and Djokovic combined necessarily,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:50\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"290060\" data-end=\"294660\">but I will say quite comfortably it\u2019s like if Agassi had serious length.<\/span><\/span><\/span><span> <span class=\"cursor-pointer group\" title=\"Play starting at 4:56\"><span class=\"group-hover:bg-base-200 rounded p-0.5 -m-0.5\" data-start=\"295660\" data-end=\"296440\">That\u2019s big time.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Jodar will try to cement his place at the ATP Finals in Turin when he begins his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/basel-open-draw-stan-wawrinka-final-tournament-novak-djokovic-ben-shelton\">Basel Open campaign<\/a> next week. The youngster\u2019s first-round tie is against former top-20 player <span>Alejandro Tabilo at the Swiss Indoors.<\/span><\/p>\n<div><strong>WHAT NEXT? \u00a0<\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/joao-fonseca-revenge-message-carlos-alcaraz-exhibition-match\">Joao Fonseca sends \u2018revenge\u2019 message to Carlos Alcaraz ahead of showdown with the Spaniard<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/div>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2018Like Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi had a baby\u2019 \u2013 ATP Tour warned about \u2018special\u2019 talent Richie Mills 24 Oct 2026 10:00 PM Rafael Jodar&#8217;s return game has been likened to Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi Rafael Jodar\u2019s return game has been likened to all-time greats Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi. Jodar has been the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-2217647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2217647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2217647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2217647\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2217647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2217647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2217647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}