12:01pm Saturday 26th December 2009
By Dave Flett
WITH 2010 looming, Andre Agassi could very well add Sports Autobiography of the Decade to the eight Grand Slam titles he won in 20 years as a tennis superstar.
Unlike so many in its genre, this book stays true to its title with a brutally honest account of the charismatic American’s life.
No chapter is left untold, including his marriage and divorce from actress Brooke Shields – and neither are any of the author’s insecurities, indiscretions and inner demons avoided.
From the powerful opening chapter, in which Agassi details his emotional state ahead of pending retirement, Open provides a fascinating insight into the mind of a world-famous sportsman created by an over-bearing father.
Agassi takes the reader right back to his unconventional upbringing and his photographic memory, as well as the use of the present tense during those years, almost gives his story a cinematic flashback feel.
Shocking childhood revelations include his father forcing amphetamines down him at the age of 12, having two years earlier wagered £10,000 on his petrified son in a challenge match against an American Football player. During a long road to self-discovery, Agassi also confesses to crystal meth addiction, smashing up his early Grand Slam trophies and a hatred of tennis.
On a lighter note, but just as traumatic at the time, he deals with the anxieties of going bald and the night his hair piece unravelled at the French Open final.
Insights into several tennis greats are also provided, while on-court loneliness and the gladiatorial nature of tennis matches are explored, along with the importance of a trusty off-court team.
Pleasingly, Agassi’s autobiography does have a happy ending as, after an almost military-like pursuit, he finds his soul-mate in Steffi Graff, even though their fathers strip to the waist and almost come to blows on their first meeting.
He has also found fulfilment by building and running a school for under-privileged children.
Amusing, disturbing, inspiring and surprising in equal measure, anybody reading this book will learn more about Agassi than they probably know about their closest friends and family.
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