Open

An Autobiography

By: Andre Agassi

Narrated by: Erik Davies

From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography.

Agassi’s incredibly rigorous training begins when he is just a child. By the age of 13, he is banished to a Florida tennis camp that feels like a prison camp. Lonely, scared, a ninth-grade dropout, he rebels in ways that will soon make him a 1980s icon. He dyes his hair, pierces his ears, dresses like a punk rocker. By the time he turns pro at 16, his new look promises to change tennis forever, as does his lightning-fast return. And yet, despite his raw talent, he struggles early on. We feel his confusion as he loses to the world’s best, his greater confusion as he starts to win. After stumbling in three Grand Slam finals, Agassi shocks the world, and himself, by capturing the 1992 Wimbledon. Overnight he becomes a fan favorite and a media target.

Agassi brings a near-photographic memory to every pivotal match and every relationship. Never before has the inner game of tennis and the outer game of fame been so precisely limned. Alongside vivid portraits of rivals from several generations - Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer - Agassi gives unstinting accounts of his brief time with Barbra Streisand and his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields. He reveals a shattering loss of confidence. And he recounts his spectacular resurrection, a comeback climaxing with his epic run at the 1999 French Open and his march to become the oldest man ever ranked number one.

In clear, taut prose, Agassi evokes his loyal brother, his wise coach, his gentle trainer, all the people who help him regain his balance and find love at last with Stefanie Graf. Inspired by her quiet strength, he fights through crippling pain from a deteriorating spine to remain a dangerous opponent in the 21st and final year of his career. Entering his last tournament in 2006, he’s hailed for completing a stunning metamorphosis, from nonconformist to elder statesman, from dropout to education advocate. And still he’s not done. At a US Open for the ages, he makes a courageous last stand, then delivers one of the most stirring farewells ever heard in a sporting arena.

With its breakneck tempo and raw candor, Open will be listened to and cherished for years. A treat for ardent fans, it will also captivate listeners who know nothing about tennis. Like Agassi’s game, it sets a new standard for grace, style, speed, and power.

©2009 Andre Agassi (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“Insightful [and] exceedingly well-written . . . [Open] has the cadence and plotting of a good novel . . . The raw energy and emotion throughout are pure Agassi.” (Newsday, Top 10 Books of 2009)

“Surprisingly candid . . . The baseline bad boy serves up his harrowing anecdotes with the same force he put behind every on-court ace.” (Entertainment Weekly 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2009)

“Bracingly devoid of triumphalist homily, Agassi’s is one of the most passionately anti-sports books ever written by a superstar athlete.” (The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2009)

Outstanding!

I had this book in my wish list for two years and without a doubt, that was a huge mistake. This book was outstanding! Not a huge tennis fan but this is such a great story. I loved hearing about Andre when he was little. I loved hearing about his rise to the tennis ranks and I loved listening to how he remained on top. I even loved hearing about his personal relationships as well. Most impressively, the narrator did a tremendous job and the book is written in such a great way, it made me wonder if Agassi actuallly did write this. If so, he writing ability may be as good as his tennis talents! Two thumbs up and highly recommended!!!

Compelling...the ghost writer loves metaphors

The opening has way too much detail...but the story of his childhood, up to his adult struggles, is really good. Ironically (?) when he pulls his life together it becomes boring and repetitive.

The narrator is ok-but he narrates everything in the same tone, super serious. Appropriate for some scenes, less so for others.

Andre is borderline cruel to some people in his past...but I imagine he was encouraged to go back in time to what he actually thought back then, immaturity and all.

So, I'm being hard on the book. Ultimately, if you like a compelling story, and have followed tennis, you will like this. Even if you don't follow tennis you will get something out of it, even though the extentive parts will probably be lost on you.

To me the most important things are the plight of the child prodigy who gets mercilessly pushed. by his partner, and the young adult who gets pushed by tennis and advertisers as the "bad boy", even if it wasn't necessarily the case.

I am glad I listened to it, by the way. I can't compare, as I didn't read it, but I don't know if that would have been as good.

Ghost writers. There's no way of knowing how much was Agassi's voice...this guy also did Prince Harry, would be interesting to find out how different it is.

If you grew up as a tennis fan I think you'll like this.

Overly dramatic reading

Agassi's story is one of the most intriguing in sports. This book is unrelenting in the clear-eyed approach Andre takes to describing his life, feelings, and relationships throughout his amazing career.
My only complaint is that the narrator takes an equally unrelenting tone that borders between morose and suicidal. I had to struggle to hear the familiar voice of Andre Agassi in the words being spoken. The quality of Eric Davies inflection was so singular that it was hard to glean the emotional state of the man as he traversed the first four decades of his life.
I wish they had either had Andre read it himself, or selected someone with a similar timbre and tone.

A bitter life

It’s not about tennis, it’s about survival and life lessons for a child who was pushed too hard by his father. A must read for every parent with a child playing a competitive sport.

Couldn't stop listening!!!

My first memories of tennis are of Andre Agassi. It's honest, funny, well written and overall fascinating to me. I find myself Googling him and the people he played while I listen to it here in my office. I also have a strong urge to go to Dick's Sporting and buy a racket even though I haven't played the game since 1995. I highly recommend this audio book.

Interesting Autobiography

Any additional comments?

I'm not a tennis fan but I do love a good autobiography. I found Agassi's life story very interesting, and his telling of his story comes from an honest and humble place. Although I definitely wouldn't call it a "tell all". He was very respectful in talking about his relationships with Streisand, and for the most part, Brooke Shields, although his disdain for her is evident. The only thing I didn't like about it was the constant, unending play-by-play of seemingly every tennis game he's ever played. But those parts would probably be interesting to anyone who loves tennis. All in all I found it a good read.

A Great Audible AutoBiograohy of Andre Agassi

Growing up I always enjoyed watching tennis in the 80s. It was always Agassi, Chang, and Sampras with a few others in the mix. But, I never understood what pro tennis players experienced as individuals. Aggasi's story made me appreciate his story individually, but also gain a better understanding of the sport. His story is amazing. I'm thankful he chose to give back to his community and by doing so has given countless children a chance at a better life. I wish he could take his message nationally and offer his contribution to kids all over the country.

Opem by Andr? Agassi

Career and personal highs and lows come to life, but most of all the evolution of a very special good man.

Spectacular Book - Simply the best!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Open to be better than the print version?

What an amazing life story, very well written and great choice of narrator. I hope a movie is made of this book.

the best audiobook ive ever listened to

What did you love best about Open?

i love andre's pure honesty

Have you listened to any of Erik Davies’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no but erik is outstanding

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes i laughed, cried multiple times, i feel i know andre and would love to now meet him

Any additional comments?

ive listened to this book twice and each time i got so much out of it. ive now made it manditory for my friends and family to listen to , and since they have everyone loves talking about it with me. read it!