Andre Agassi was on “60 Minutes” this Sunday, interviewed by Katie Couric to promote his new autobiography, “Open”. He and Couric cover the book’s big controversies: his nightmarish Tennis Dad, “Image is Everything”, Brooke Shields and his use of crystal meth and subsequent drug test cover-up.
I got my hands on the book this weekend.* (It goes on sale today – click here to buy it
I hope to finish “Open” in the next couple of days and will try to post my thoughts on it soon. If any of you do pick up a copy, I hope you’ll leave some comments. It will be like a virtual tennis book club!
Now onto the “60 Minutes“ interview:
Part 1, wherein Agassi can’t remember a time he didn’t hate tennis:
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Part 2, wherein Agassi avoids estimating how many times he did crystal meth:
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Andre was also on the public radio program “Fresh Air” in a 40 minute long interview:
The following are web extras from “60 Minutes” – but not too much extra.
“Steffi vs. Andre,” wherein Agassi admits his masochistic tendencies:
“Wigging out,” wherein Agassi condemns French hair conditioner:
“Andre on Brooke,” wherein Agassi dips his toe in the Blue Lagoon:
“Meth Fallout,” wherein Couric pretends Roger Federer reacted “harshly” to Agassi’s drug admission:
*Here’s where I say I got my copy of the book for free from the publisher, but was not otherwise compensated for this review.
Tags: agassi, Agassi autobiography, ATP, open, tennis
Loading ...
Thank you but no more Agassi’s drama for me.
I’d rather save my energy for Marat’s week *sob* *drool* *sob* and watching Rafa’s cute interview vids as a reason to stay alive in ATP World.
I thought the interview was very gripping (except for that exaggeration about Roger and Rafa) and Andre was extremely composed. I admit that initially I wondered what good could come of him spilling these details. In my mind, I thought the admission about the drug use would certainly tarnish his legacy and besmirch his current image. But after listening to him talk about living a shadow life then it all made sense and I think he was very brave to tell all.
Now I think that even the kids at Agassi Prep might have been the inspiration for him coming clean about everything. If he encourages them to live authentic lives and be true to themselves, he could do no less. It was a very stirring interview and I’m off to the bookstore to pick up a copy today.
Cool! Let me know what you think!
I watched the interview last night, my husband thinks that he wrote the book to make a lot of money, I thought he just wanted to be honest, Oh well, we will never know the real reason.
Perhaps both – or at least it’s a win-win situation.
But I have to say that as a reader, I’m happy he was as honest as he was. It makes it a much more entertaining read!
my husband thinks that he wrote the book to make a lot of money
does your husband also know that he is one of the richest tennis players/sports personalities to ever walk the earth and is married to a woman who is one of the richest female sports personalities ever? So his idea of spilling everything to an embarrassing level of detail is so that he could mae a few paltry millions off of royalty? Very ingenious.
Freakyfrites, the New York Times had a review by Janet Maslin. She seemed a little underwhelmed. I wonder what you think about the way he portrays Pete Sampras? She gives a quote which is pretty dismissive — “I envy Pete’s dullness.” Ouch! I am planning to read the book but I will probably get it at the library, so I might have to wait a little bit.
Harry, most wealthy people seem perfectly happy to accumulate a few extra paltry millions! Although my thought is that ego is involved more than avarice.
Thanks, Liz, I’m going to go read that review now!
Well, Pete is kind of boring in his off-court life. He practically admits it himself, saying he doesn’t know how to fill his time now that he’s retired.
I like thatAgassi actually takes a few swipes at some of his opponents – I think it’s realistic given how gladiatorial tennis can be. And it’s not like these guys can’t stand up for themselves. Jeff Tarango gets the worst of it, Chang takes some swipes – (Agassi doesn’t like Chang’s “God is on my side” routine) – and Boris Becker makes Agassi very, very angry. It’s good stuff – the kind of stuff you want to read in a tennis tell-all!
I look forward to hearing your opinions! Let me know what you think.
i loved that interview. roger was misquoted tho. i thought andre’s comment about having compassion for someone in trouble rather than condemning them was right on. i think if you write an autobiography u should tell the truth. we all have a past, at least i do, and it wasn’t always pretty, but it’s been encouraging to others when i share . i get what andre’s done and i hope it does help the atp, itf, wada and many others. i don’t think money had the edge here, but when i have some xtra, i’ll get the book. RIGHT ON ANDRE.
andre with rick reilly
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4637174
i rarely read peter bodo but i resonated w/this piece.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4637551&name=bodo_peter
I agreed with all of you, but one thing I would like to say is that a lot of public people should do what Agassi did, tell the world how many bad things he’s did!!
Money is 100% not the issue of this book I belive more is an inside cleaning for himself for his wife for his kid’s and for all his supporters….. that operation has no value….he’s Andre has all money he’s wants he’s has money for the kid’s of his kid’s.
So let’s hope that people will be more honest after Agassi book, I’m sure will affect many people around the world.
Roberto