Andy Roddick named Jimmy Connors as his new coach on Monday as the former world number one looks to rekindle his career.
Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion and runner-up at Wimbledon in 2004 and 2005, has not won a title this year and slipped out of the top 10 rankings earlier this month for the first time since 2002.
"First of all, it's just belief," the 23-year-old told reporters at the Los Angeles Open over his reasons for linking up with the legendary left-hander.
"It means a lot when someone who has won as many tennis championships as Jimmy Connors comes through and says, 'I believe in you. I think you can really do some great things, and here's how.'"
Connors, one of tennis's most fiery competitors, said he wanted to instil some of his famed intensity in Roddick and help lead him back to the top of the world rankings.
"It's not rocket science, my job is quite simply to make Andy the best player he can be.
"I would like to try to give him a little bit of what made me what I was," added Connors, who won a record 105 singles events including eight Grand Slam titles.
Connors and Roddick first discussed the possibility of joining forces after the French Open. Roddick spent the week leading up to last week's RCA Championships in Indianapolis training with Connors.
Roddick advanced to the final in Indianapolis on Sunday before losing 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 to Davis Cup team mate James Blake.