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12/12/09 4:23 PM | Johan Lindahl
Andre Agassi is currently promoting his explosive biography on a European book tour, with the controversial former world No. 1 saying he hopes others will learn from his errors after confessing to taking drugs more than a decade ago.
The retired 39-year-old, one of only six players to have won all four of the majors during a career, said that the uproar after his confession of using crystal meth for a period late in his career - and then escaping ATP sanctions by lying about the affair in a letter - is a good sign.
"I want to give (people) the opportunity to avoid the mistakes I made," Agassi said. "Problems, pain and depression are nothing bad: we all share the same struggle, regardless of how much money and titles you have."
The controversy is good for sales, with an estimated 3,000 copies sold to 900 people at a London appearance this week.
Agassi's drug-taking was condemned by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who say that tennis is now cleaner than ever under the current strict testing regime.
"Anyone who starts their answer with, 'I haven’t read the book, but...,' I hope that they would read it all and then speak. To Rafael Nadal, Marat Safin, Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer, I would say. If they do that and they still have the same opinion of me, I would be sad and disappointed."
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That's interesting and makes sense. In fact it was the only reason I could think of for him to risk 'tarnishing' his reputation with such an admission at this point in his life. Otherwise it would just have been a case of too much information!
ed251137 , 12/13/09 3:35 PM
homos - that theory has been suggested since the news broke. As of this point, I don't think it's been confirmed. Keep in mind that he is on the outs with Perry Rogers, so the idea is not completely unlikely.
cherylmurray , 12/13/09 4:08 PM
Agassi was on Jonathan Ross last night (late night presenter in UK), he gave an excellent interview on his book,he was very humble,said the meth reference was a page and a half in his book and if it served to stop others from doing what he did, then he was pleased for that,but that there was so much more to the book than just the meth reference.am sure his interview will be on youtube.agassi came across very well.huge applause from the audience and said no regrets-i think you have to read the whole book and put this into context, and the reason why it was taken at that time,one of escapism from a very unhappy life.
maxi , 12/13/09 8:06 PM
he was brilliant on "friday night with jonathan ross". i sat through the whole show waiting for him. came across really well. might go buy his book in the week
Sib69 , 12/14/09 12:12 AM
Agreed. Andre displayed on Jonathan Ross just why so many people around the world have took such a genuine and forever lasting love towards him, he is a great athlete and person, and incredible personality.
I advise anyone who has not watched his interview on Jonathan Ross to visit youtube and watch it, will open up your eyes to the real reasons he revealed the drug problems and fake hair, there is a real genuine humility to his words when you see them come out of his mouth, rather than read them off a page.
I think a lot of the players today, including Federer and Nadal, just didn't really understand why he revealed so much, but I think as time goes by, especially if they get a chance to read it, which I know Roger will for sure, will understand a lot more about the problems he faced, and why he chose to share that with the public.
eelesino , 12/14/09 5:25 AM
cheryl: that's right, i've read it before but more in passing. but recently, i got the impression there may be some truth in it - but it's maybe just a continuation of the saga. perry rogers comes to everyone's mind in that speculation.
can't you do some digging and find out so we can all sleep better knowing more juicy gosspi?!
homos , 12/14/09 11:17 AM
I'll see what I can dig up, homos. :)
cherylmurray , 12/15/09 5:14 AM
I have not read his book yet, but I am getting it for Christmas. I can't wait. Agassi is my all time favourite and he was the reason I started to watch tennis. Although I was shocked by the "revelations", I can respect him for being so brutally honest, even if it was something that hurt his reputation.
Adri , 12/15/09 1:53 PM
well,here is the US it seems as if no one really cares.(i think)
he's not on any shows or anything like that.He was on 60 minutes and did an interview with TTC but as for espn or any other sports shows.....
alik , 12/15/09 4:57 PM
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i read a news article recently that agassi 'rushed' to confess his drug taking out of a real fear of being blackmailed.
homos , 12/13/09 4:47 AM