One of the most outstanding players of the '90s was Marcelo Ríos, who made history in 1998 by becoming the first Latin American tennis player to reach number 1 in the world in the ATP circuit.
The Chino's innate talent earned him the recognition of millions of followers, both in Chile and around the world. Among those who admired him the most was Guillermo Coria, a former Argentine tennis player who reached number 3 in the world ranking and always considered him a role model.
Guillermo Coria y su fanatismo por el Chino Ríos
Guillermo Coria recalls Chino Ríos in an anecdote with Andre Agassi
The Magician Coria participated in his brother Federico Coria's YouTube channel, where he shared a story that was highlighted on Instagram and X. With many interactions on social media, in the video clip uploaded by the former tennis player, there is a phrase dedicated to Chino Ríos, and he also recounted an experience with the American Andre Agassi, in which he showed his admiration for both the American and the Chilean.
Agassi llegó a ser Top 1 en 1995
"Agassi asked me every two months how much I weighed. I would say 66, 67, 67 and a half, he asks me once, twice, three times, the fourth time I grab Gil Reyes (Agassi's coach) and ask him what's going on, why he keeps asking me how much I weigh," the Magician began to recount. Then, he added: "He would ask me, turn around and leave, he wouldn't give me a chance (to talk). Besides, I feel a respect, for me Agassi and Chino Ríos are God."
According to Coria, his coach explained the reason behind the American's insistence: "Andre has an obsession, Gil Reyes tells me, because he wants to weigh the same as you, because he's obsessed with your speed and coordination, he doesn't understand how you get to every ball so well positioned."
To conclude, Coria recalled that after losing respect for Agassi in a training session, he later managed to beat him at Roland Garros, and since then the American never wanted to share a practice with him again, distancing himself.
