Agassi says Laver Cup proved critics wrong: 'You're watching these guys die out there'

[p]Nine years in, the Laver Cup still divides opinion, with some questioning its importance and intensity, feeling it's something of a glorified exhibition tournament.[/p][p]However, there was plenty of intensity on show at the O2 Arena as the players on both teams gave their all in numerous tough battles.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/world-laver-cup/C29ghPpq/"]Team World[/a]'s efforts ultimately weren't enough, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/zverev-alexander/dGbUhw9m/"]Alexander Zverev[/a] beating [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tien-learner/xUHOBJK6/"]Learner Tien[/a] in straight sets to seal a 13-5 victory for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/europe-laver-cup/CWKm6rFr/"]Europe[/a], but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/agassi-andre/dpmh3fNO/"]Agassi[/a] ultimately looked back on the three days with a lot of positivity, feeling it proved how much the event offers.[/p][p][b]"They needed to be here then,"[/b] he said at the final press conference regarding critics of the tournament.[/p][p][b]"I mean, come on. You're watching these guys die out there, and they're showing more heart than I sometimes see in other real environments with things for the line.[/b][/p][p][b]"They're here for each other, and I couldn't be prouder of that. I wish I had more of them in me."[/b][/p][embed guid="7119ce8d-49c2-4dc5-92d9-58810cde596a" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT94EfJWPqs" social-type="youtube" /][p]Things could have easily been different for Team World, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fritz-taylor/UH09iaZ6/"]Taylor Fritz[/a] failing to convert two match points in a pivotal Saturday night match that would've given them a big lead had they won it.[/p][h2]'I think the sport won'[/h2][p]Looking back at how things unfolded, Agassi had more pride than regret.[/p][p][b]"I'm sorry for going philosophical on you, but I don't spend much time in the past or the future," [/b]he said when asked whether he'd do anything differently in hindsight.[/p][p][b]"You know, you make your bets on your team. You hope they give it everything they've got. You believe in them. You want the best from them. You're trying not to screw anything up, first and foremost. And I think we got that.[/b][/p][p][b]"So if I were to look back in hindsight, I'm not regretful. I mean, the ball could fall here, the ball could fall there. Taylor's serve, match point up, how close was that?[/b][/p][p][b]"There were some epic battles out there. I think the sport won."[/b][/p][embed guid="b8fbb459-2cf0-4666-82a5-55485dfef9e0" url="https://x.com/LaverCup/status/2104252404682137686" social-type="twitter" /]