Andre Agassi sits with Rick Reilly and fans at 'Open' book signing.

Eight time grand slam champion, Andre Agassi, opens up to ESPN’s Rick Reilly and fans at ‘Open’ book signing in Las Vegas, NV.

Nearly all first time authors launch their book signings in New York but for Andre Agassi that wasn’t even a consideration, “Vegas is my hometown” – he wanted to reveal his book “in front of the people I love.”

Reilly, voted National Sportswriter of the year eleven times and bestselling author himself stated, “This book (Open) is full of surprises. “I think it’s the best sports autobiography I’ve ever read.”

Agassi admits in ‘Open’ he took the drug Crystal Meth in 1997 and then lied about drug use in a letter to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) after the failed test. Agassi’s letter convinced the ATP to throw out the failed drug test allowing Agassi to continue competing.

Without giving too much of the book away Agassi was in his late twenties and found himself lost in a life he didn’t choose, a sport his father chose for him and a marriage (to Brooke Shields whom he divorced) he didn’t want to be in. That’s when he succumbed to the temptation of drugs and describes being on crystal meth as “my own prison.” Agassi plummeted to 141 in the rankings during this time.
It was this moment that Agassi had an epiphany. He thought about all the people, everyday, going to work, living lives they didn’t choose but had to live to support themselves or a family.

I didn’t choose tennis but I can choose it now. I didn’t learn to love tennis until I was 27 years old. At that point it had taken away more than it gave. Success, money, and fame only magnify what you’re lacking.”

Agassi started to evolve, grow-up, and still surrounded by individuals who believed in him he started to believe in himself and started to connect with his emotions. Agassi, who stopped using crystal meth without rehab assistance stated,

I never felt like I walked away from drugs but was walking towards something.”

Agassi made a huge come-back in 1998 after ‘getting clean’ followed by several title-holding years of tennis and went on to marry former female tennis pro and Grand Slam winner, Steffi Graff . Agassi’s favorite part of the book, “Racing Stef on the beach and losing!”

Some critics have suggested Agassi wrote ‘Open’ for publicity but he denies that at the Las Vegas book signing stating,

I wrote this book with my kids in mind. I want them to know we all make mistakes but we can learn from them. Tomorrow can look different.”
 

Reilly concluded the evening by stating, “I’ve done this (interview athletes) for thirty years and usually don’t get these honest answers from sports figures.”

Will Agassi's fans support him?

Agassi launches book release for 'Open' at Wynn Las Vegas

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