Agassi not too worried despite Sampras pull out

But he paid tribute to Chris Woodruff as his new singles partner, saying he was coming off a great Australian Open where he reached the quarter-finals.

Agassi said he felt a little tired after his exploits in Melbourne where he won the Australian Open, beating world number two Yevgeny Kafelnikov in four sets in the final. 8220;I will stick with what I know best, slugging it out from the baseline, although spin variations and angles can be used to open up the court,8221; he told a news conference on Wednesday.

He expressed satisfaction with the surface at the Harare City Sports Centre which he said suited his game and the Dunlop TP balls were hard enough.

When asked how often he had played Zimbabwe8217;s Black brothers, Byron and Wayne, he said he had played Wayne twice and Byron once in the junior ranks.

Asked about his Davis Cup aspirations, Agassi said it was good to be back playing, adding all top players should commit themselves to the Cup, irrespective of tight schedules.

8220;Obviously, the better players who make it to the later rounds of the tournament will be harder pressed, but I believe that something should be worked out with the organisers that would make everybody happy,8221; he said.

His captain, John McEnroe, has criticised the organisers of the Davis Cup over their scheduling of ties.

8220;The Davis Cup schedule needs to be changed, there8217;s no doubt and the sooner the better for the sport in general,8221; said McEnroe.

Agassi was not unduly worried about Harare8217;s altitude of 1,470 metres and said that while had not played any tournament at such an altitutde, he had played exhibitions in Mexico City.

He welcomed McEnroe8217;s appointment saying it was good to have someone who has been there and understands the on-court pressures.

Following the withdrawal of Sampras, McEnroe had to draft in Woodruff in the singles and Australian Open men8217;s doubles champion Rick Leach, who came in for Martin.