American tennis legend Andre Agassi has backed world number one Novak Djokovic to display a period of dominance after the Serb showed that he could rise a level above his peers without even trying too hard.
Eight-time Grand Slam-winner Agassi said that barring mishap, Djokovic looked set for a long stay on top of the rankings after moving out in front this year. The Serb won seven titles this season, including Wimbledon, and finished with a flourish at the World Tour Finals in London.
Agassi said that he has to tip Djokovic heading into the next year or two, adding that the Serb seems like he just can hit cruise control and be a level above, and that's a huge luxury, Sport24 reported.
The American said that Djokovic doesn't have to play lights-out to beat the top guys, adding that he just has to play contained which is a big statement to how well the world number one is playing.
Djokovic had a winning record against all of his Big Four rivals, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, in 2014 and he finished ranked top for the third time in four years.
Agassi said that with Federer now 33, Nadal returning from his latest lay-off and Murray struggling for form, the seven-time Slam winner, who recently became a father, could now stay on top.
He said that a lot of things can happen, adding that one minor injury at the wrong time and that tournament's gone and maybe that part of the season's gone. He added that he doesn't underestimate how much has to go right, but if everything goes right for everybody then Djokovic is the one he would point to.
When Djokovic seeks his fifth Australian Open title in January, one of his chief rivals could be Japan's Kei Nishikori, who broke through by reaching this year's US Open final against Marin Cilic, the report added.