Book description
He is one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most
gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court - but from early childhood
Andre Agassi hated the game.
Coaxed to swing a racket while still in the crib, forced to hit
hundreds of balls a day while still in grade school, Agassi resented the
constant pressure even as he drove himself, an inner conflict that would
define him. In his beautiful, haunting autobiography, Agassi tells the
story of a life framed by conflict.
Agassi makes us feel his panic as an undersized seven-year-old,
practicing all day under the obsessive gaze of his violent father. We
see him at thirteen, banished to a tennis camp. A lonely, scared,
ninth-grade dropout, he rebels in ways that will soon make him a 1980s
icon. By the time he turns pro at sixteen, his new look promises to
change tennis forever, as does his lightning fast return.
Yet, despite raw talent, he struggles. We feel his confusion as he
loses to the world's best, his greater confusion as he starts to win.
After stumbling in three Grand Slam finals, Agassi shocks the world, and
himself, by capturing the 1992 Wimbledon title. Overnight he becomes a
fan favourite and a media target.
Agassi brings a near-photographic memory to every pivotal match, and
every public relationship. Alongside vivid portraits of tennis rivals,
Agassi gives unstinting accounts of his relationships. He reveals the
depression that shatters his confidence, and the mistake that nearly
costs him everything. Finally, he recounts his spectacular resurrection
and his march to become the oldest man ever ranked number one.
In clear, taut prose, Agassi evokes his loyal brother, his wise coach,
his gentle trainer, all the people who help him regain his balance and
find love at last with Stefanie Graf.
With its breakneck tempo and raw candor, Open will be read and
cherished for years. A treat for ardent fans, it will also captivate
readers who know nothing about tennis. Like Agassi's game, it sets a new
standard for grace, style, speed and power.
Note that this ebook edition does not include illustrations that first
appeared in the print version. 'engaging, thrilling…a superbly written book'
Michael Atherton, The Times.
'stunningly good'
Lynne Truss, The Times
'An ace autobiography'
***** London Lite Andre Agassi played tennis professionally from 1986
to 2006. Often ranked number one, he captured eight Grand Slam singles
championships, tying him for seventh on the all-time list, and he's the
only man to win a career 'Golden Slam' - all four Grand Slam singles
titles plus the Olympic gold medal. He also compiled one of the best
records ever by an American in the Davis Cup. As founder of the Andre
Agassi Charitable Foundation, he has raised more than million for the
Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, an acclaimed K-12 charter
school for underprivileged children in his hometown, Las Vegas. He lives
in Las Vegas with his wife, Stefanie Graf, and their two children.
