In a candid interview with CNN, tennis legend Andre Agassi shared his unique perspective on Serena Williams’ career, explaining why he believes that despite her unmatched achievements, she might still be considered an “underachiever.” Agassi praised Williams’ phenomenal journey, yet noted the immense expectations that accompany her level of talent. For Agassi, her consistency at the top was so extraordinary that any period without a Major victory seemed surprising.
Williams began her Grand Slam success at the 1999 US Open, defeating top players like Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport, and Martina Hingis. She continued to excel, eventually matching Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles in 2016, with a historic 23rd Major soon following. Agassi, however, found Williams so talented that he “joked for a long time” she was possibly “one of the only persons” who could be seen as underachieving, regardless of how much she won.
Agassi added that Williams’ long stretches without a title felt unexpected given her abilities, comparing his high expectations for her to his views on Novak Djokovic. To him, Williams’ consistent presence at the top cemented her legacy, yet left room for a sense of missed potential—an impressive standard that only a select few, like Williams, could ever meet.