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Agassi's Egoism
John Russell / Getty Images
Andre Agassi is primarily concerned with Andre Agassi, according to a New York Times review of his ghostwritten autobiography Open. Reviewer Janet Maslin writes that Agassi's interests do not extend far "beyond tennis, more tennis, the misery of tennis, the way sportswriters misunderstand tennis and the irritating celebrity that tennis stardom confers." Other admissions from the book: Agassi took crystal meth in 1997, the worst year of his career; he's lied about his love of tennis to interviewers over the years; and his frosted mullets may have included portions of toupee. Maslin calls the book "anticlimactic" but says it is saved by "somebody on the memoir team" with "great gifts for heart-tugging drama."
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pjjones44
Who would expect someone who's slogan is "Image is everything" to have anything important (or climactic) to say to such a well-read literary critic as Ms. Maslin?
Fentro
Everyone's a critic. Sure, Andre is an egotist - aren't all of them (save maybe Federer?) But who cares? He's actually done good with his 'millions' and used his fame to build his foundation to help kids. I always loved those great Sampras-Agassi contests (much like Fed- Nadal), so in the end, he gave the world some joy (which is more than I can say for most of the other payers).
And here's more proof that recreational drugs are over-politicized by the monied interests as being 'bad for you.' Now that Michael Phelps has come clean, as Andre' has , the stupid fucking legislature will get off its fat ass and legalize them, tax them, and save the darn economy. Enough hypocrisy, America. Look in the mirror and face the truth - we're ALL drug addicts. Let's stop making criminals of ourselves.
kmccrack
OMG, Federer is the biggest egotist of them all, IMO. With all the insignia and the foppish fashion choices?
tryker
I agree too. When he lost to Nadal and cried like a baby, all his masterful swagger melted into disbelief that HE had been beaten and couldn't summon good sportsmanship after all.
He had begun to strut and preen and delay his departure from the court, it had become obvious that he was milking his status and being grandiose.
Andre's detractors can keep it...he has done the best thing possible starting his school and they'll never take that away as a stunning achievement.
pclayton
Hear, hear!! I agree with you completely.
cibikay
This is very sad.He has always seemed to be so sensible.God knows what has gotten into him to write this kind of weird stuff.
kscr14
Andre Agassi has made it clear that tennis was his entire life because tennis was all his father allowed him to do in his childhood. His unhappiness about this is clear. You cannot make up the facts to make it more interesting. His father did not want him to even go to school as a child.
All of this and the unhappiness it caused Andre are the point of the book.
MrEKO73
Just how would an autobiography not be egotistical? Its an autobiography. A book about ones self and ones life. Plus, I've always found Andre to be very well spoken so making jabs that this book was entirely ghostwritten may just be a little off the mark.
pclayton
True, to even write an autobiography implies you think your life story is interesting and worth something to others. I would read his book, considering how many times athletes decry you 'must love the game to excel' and he clearly hated it but excelled anyway. The most enlightening part of the story is his philanthropy, which all successful people could learn from. It's heartwarming to know that he has put his money where his mouth is to help underprivileged kids get a good education. That balances out his obsession with his hair all those years.
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n--Y--maladaptednjoy-d-ride
Saw the interview on 60 minutes last night. Looks like the guy is finally happy. I think part of the reason he "came clean" about the drugs is that he doesn't care what happens with it. And probably more good than bad will come from his admitting it. If the Professional Tennis governing body bought his answer when he was caught by a drug test, they have little reason to punish him now. He has millions and he is doing good with it.
fleetw1978
Big f'ing deal. There are many with money who do good works. That isn't the point. The point is that the punk Aggassi is still a punk. A spoiled little punk. How classy is it for anyone who has had some fame to go out, write a book, and trash thier former friends, lovers, wifes, husbands, and rivals? Not classy at all. We as a society need to embrace class and respect. Our athletes, our politicians, our leaders are supposed to demonstrate class. More and more, they drop the "c" and demonstrate they are nothing but ass.
hockeydog
Andre, keep busting your own path through life.
We appreciate your honesty and frankness, not
to mention your brilliance in taking the ball on the
rise, and defining the art of service return.
That you were with Brooke Shields does not hurt
your reputation either.
exanimo
Good for Andre - clears the conscience, soothes the soul - now that the eyes of the world are off him - and he's dealt with his inner demons, perhaps he can truly enjoy the rest of his life. It's tennis - a game after all.
Thebigkate
I think Ms. Maslin is being snobby and unfair to Andre Agassi! After all, he is uneducated, since he left school in the 9th grade--forced by his father to attend the Bollettieri Tennis Academy, so he could become a STAR! I appreciate his honesty in talking about his abusive father and ambivalence about tennis. I think this is a pretty healthy reaction to a kid raised in this kind of abusive dysfunction!
Beyond that, Agassi shows a depth of being that is rare in the world of sports--where everyone is always "doin' FINE!" And, let's face it, there are many, many stars in tennis (and other sports) who have done--and are still doing--major drugs!!!! Good for Agassi for coming forward!!!!
kscr14
Amen.
tryker
For one thing, it just goes to show that recreational drug use isn't the giant boogeyman that requires billions of our tax dollars just to abuse our citizens and turn them into criminals.
Alcohol abuse is just fine in every sport though, unless you get a DUI...then you might make the paper, but still get to play.
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