Next 12 months crucial for Murray, says Agassi

New York, Oct. 15 (ANI): Former world tennis great Andre Agassi believes Andy Murray has the next 12 months to prove that he merits being World Number One in the sport.

Murray is the only player in the world's top six who has now won a grand slam, with 21-year-old Del Potro joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick.

"I think that in the beginning he had an attitude that worked against him. It was a fire, it was a spirit, you could tell that was a crucial wiring to the way he played," said eight-time grand slam winner Agassi.

"This is going to be a crucial time in his career and I predict the next year will determine his career one way or another. He has one big opportunity in front of him. He has a lot of reasons, motivations and skills that can get help him to accomplish a great deal, but he has to be willing to push to get over the next hump," Agassi added.

"Do I think he can do it? Absolutely. Do I expect him to do it? I really do. When I look at his game compared to the other players, he has what it takes to win and to win against anybody on any surface," he added.

Agassi was speaking from New York ahead of an exhibition match against Pete Sampras at The Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown on October 25. It will be the first meeting between the two since the 2002 US Open final, which was won by Sampras in his last ATP Tour singles match. (ANI)