Tennis icon Andre Agassi has returned to the public eye in recent years. He’s become Team World’s captain at the Laver Cup, been heard in the BBC commentary box at Wimbledon, and spent a few days helping Holger Rune out last summer. And the retired eight-time Major champion seems to have a new protege, as he was spotted in the stands of the smaller Stadium 4 court in Indian Wells on Wednesday.

Agassi watched on from Marcos Giron’s player box as the world No. 69 came back from a set down to beat Mariano Navone 4-6 7-5 6-3. And Giron later admitted that Agassi’s presence helped him get through the match, because he didn’t want to lose with the 2001 champion in the house.

“You don’t want to let him down if he’s coming out and supporting you. You definitely want to put on a good performance. After losing the first there’s part of me like, ‘You can’t lose’,” Giron told the ATP after reaching the second round.

“That would kind of suck if he comes out and you don’t perform well. But he just wants players to be the best of themselves. I know that winning or losing, it’s not about that even though you want to do it. But it’s what can you really do in the real time.”

It was just the second time in Giron’s career that he had Agassi in his box. The first came in Newport two years ago, when the American lifted the trophy. But they’ve had a working relationship since 2020, when they met at a Las Vegas training session, which also involved world No. 37 Sebastian Korda.

Giron also works with Agassi’s daughter Jaz, who helps him train along with Agassi’s old strength and conditioning coach Gil Reyes. Jaz was in the box alongside her dad on Wednesday.

Opening up on his relationship with Agassi, the 32-year-old explained: “He happened to be in Newport, Rhode Island when I won the tournament. He was there for one of the matches and it kind of worked out, my only title. When I found out he was going to be able to come and support, I didn’t necessarily expect it, but it was special to be there with him, truly.

“I went out there to Vegas, I got asked to come out and practice. And so from there I have the relationship, and he’s given some thought to my game. I think when you talk about Andre, No. 1 in the world for I don’t know how many weeks and eight Slams, 60 titles, all of that. He sees the game on a different level. And so I am fortunate to have a very good relationship with him, and he’s been so kind with sharing his opinion. It’s been really good.

“[He’s been] getting me to be more aggressive, to see more opportunity on the court, from all over the court. I think he’s really, he’s had a huge impact on my career. One thing is hearing it, but another is learning to apply it. He’s special. He’s got a special mind.”

Giron hopes to put Agassi’s guidance to the test again when he faces No. 12 seed Jakub Mensik in the second round. They met at Wimbledon last year, where Mensik won in four sets.