Andre Agassi Reveals Drug Use and Lies in New Book

When athletes usually release books, it’s a chance to share their experience or bring light to a social issue. I’ve read a great autobiography by Jon Gruden and the iconic Jim Brown about their stellar careers. I even perused through Jose Conseco’s smut just for kicks. Often times it’s easy to read between the lines: these guys are either looking to share their life regardless of profitability, or they’re looking straight to make a splash and cash in.

That’s why Andre Agassi’s new autobiography, entitled “Open”, has me so intrigued. This book is less about reliving his incredible career, or sharing his life’s memoires. This book is a stark, public confession and an attempt for Agassi to free his soul of the lies that have been his secret opponent for years.

The biggest chunk of news that came through the pipe was that Agassi actually used crystal meth during 1997…and then lied about it to the WTP. Agassi recounts a guy named “Slim” and revisits his severe depression that hung over his 1997 season like a dark cloud. At the time, he was ranked 141st in the world, ending a relationship with wife Brooke Shields and hitting all sorts of personal walls. When “Slim” offered him some relief, Agassi took it.

“I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I’ve crossed…There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I’ve never felt so alive, so hopeful – and I’ve never felt such energy,” Agassi writes.

Agassi’s storied career took a nose dive in 1997, and he failed to win anything relevant, and was relegated to the equivalent of the bush league for professional tennis. What’s even more alarming about the incident is that Agassi lied to WTP officials about his use.

In a written letter that Agassi admits was a lie, the tennis star pleaded with officials that he had merely taken a sip of Slim’s drink that was spiked with crystal meth. The WTP threw out Agassi’s failed drug test and allowed him to return in 1998, where Agassi began one of the most triumphant resurgences in the history of professional tennis.

But with his tell-all confession, Agassi is now attempting a personal resurgence of sorts that starts with exorcising his inner demons. In a time when athletes are trying to cash in on the power of hyperbole and trashy news, Agassi is seeking to simply be vindicated by the public opinion for being honest after hiding lies for so long. Money isn’t an issue for Agassi, who is married to the greatest women’s champion of all-time, Stefi Graf.

On the court, Agassi strove to be the best and gave tennis a true story with his intense rivalry against fellow American Pete Sampras. Off the court, and years after his tearful retirement, Agassi has a different goal in mind: vindication.

“Open: An Autobiography” is set to release on November 9th.