Is Andre Agassi’s name even Andre Agassi?
It’s worth asking considering other revelations contained in Agassi’s autobiography titled Open published next week. Thanks to sensational serialised extracts from the book, media outlets all over the world have been happy to give Agassi’s book fantastic free publicity. The five-times Grand Slam champ’s confessions that he used crystal meth, took speed before matches and lied to tennis authorities about it when caught was always likely to get a lot of attention. Agassi’s admission that he wore a mullet wig for much of the 1990s has also helped get the American tennis legend back in the spotlight. This, Wayne Carey, is how you promote a forthcoming autobiography.
It all leaves a bitter taste though. It’s not like Agassi is confessing his sins (and that mullet was a sin) due to a newfound sense of honesty. He’s doing it for money. Surely he doesn’t need any more cash? Unless he’s also about to admit to a degenerate gambling problem too. Perhaps that’s chapter 7 or 13.
No matter which way it’s spun, Agassi’s actions and – more importantly – his lies to avoid punishment when caught were disgraceful. He won’t be remembered so fondly by many tennis and sports fans now.
It’s Andrés Gómez you have to feel sorry for. He must be gutted that his sole Grand Slam title has been tarnished by claims his opponent’s wig worries on the day was a major factor in his win.
Don’t buy Andre Agassi’s book. If you must read it, steal it. And if you’re caught, deny everything. Agassi will understand.
3 Comments
I always thought he looked very interested in the white lines on court.
Bit harsh Neil.
For a start I doubt Andres Gomez is going to give a stuff, and secondly, when most people think well of Agassi, they look to him post his 97 breakdown. It was after his comeback that he really grew in stature. For most of the first half of his career he was viewed as a braggart.
I hate him prior to it, loved him after.
He was full of it in his earlier years – a total w*nker (he acted like a total pr*ck in the 1990 Davis Cup final against Australia). Post comeback there was a sense he finally knew image was NOT everything.
So he’s writing a book for money? Oh geez how horrible!
And I guess he should have not mentioned any of the things he did to ensure a sanitized version was published. Would that be better??
I will still remember him fondly – in fact I’ll remember him as I always have, a guy who was a show off, who hit rock bottom, and then came back a better man.
I agree with Mr Walker. To ‘confess’ now seems like boasting, and it’s boasting for nothing to be proud about. Although, perhaps he just made up the drugs and wig stuff to sell books and top up his superannuation fund.