Open

The Autobiography

By: Andre Agassi

Narrated by: Erik Davies

He is one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court – but from early childhood Andre Agassi hated the game.

Coaxed to swing a racket while still in the crib, forced to hit hundreds of balls a day while still in grade school, Agassi resented the constant pressure even as he drove himself to become a prodigy, an inner conflict that would define him. Now, in his beautiful, haunting autobiography, Agassi tells the story of a life framed by such conflicts.

Agassi makes us feel his panic as an undersized seven-year-old in Las Vegas, practicing all day under the obsessive gaze of his violent father. We see him at thirteen, banished to a Florida tennis camp. Lonely, scared, a ninth-grade dropout, he rebels in ways that will soon make him a 1980s icon. By the time he turns pro at sixteen, 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 public relationship. Alongside vivid portraits of rivals, Agassi gives unstinting accounts of his brief time with Barbra Streisand and his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields. He reveals the depression that shatters his confidence, and the mistake that nearly costs him everything. Finally, he recounts his spectacular resurrection 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.

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

©2009 Harper Collins (P)2009 Harper Collins

Critic reviews

‘engaging, thrilling…a superbly written book’
Michael Atherton, The Times.

‘stunningly good’
Lynne Truss, The Times

‘An ace autobiography’
***** London Lite

Amazing

Enjoyed thoroughly.. great guy great story. Couldn't have imagined that Andre hatted Tennis and yet made every one watching love it.

A riveting read

A wonderful story of humanity, relationships, personal and professional growth. It is also great to see the story had a happy ending!

Is he really a writer????

Amazingly the first time I was going to buy this book I thought twice. Should I really go for it??? Is it really something I want to read? some Tennis Player talking about Tennis and boring me to death. I mean what the hell will Andre Agassi write about and can the guy actually write?

Surprisingly, I was shocked. I found Andre to really have a way with words and he also had me glued from Page 1.

“Open” looks into the life and struggles of Andre Agassi and the sport he actually hated more than anything in the world and how ironically he ended having it as a career. It looks into his relationship with his father, his marriage to the beautiful Brook Shields and his antics to win the heart of Stephie Graf.

The book is really worth it and has a number of subliminal messages in it. The biggest hidden message or a moral if you would like to call it is don't give up on life and that anything is possible. Agassi did everything he hated but managed to get everything he set his mind to. Some people may call it luck. I call it dedication.

My personal opinion of Andre Agassi before reading this book was that he was a total show off which actually made me hate the guy’s guts. After reading the book, I found out that people just did not understand the man and his beliefs.
I truly admire the man now after reading this book. Hats off to you Andre.

A captivating book from Cover to end. Do get it and enjoy.

Bryceb

Obscenities stopped me giving it 5 stars

It's a great book, and very enjoyable and interesting. I have always been fond of Agassi whenever I've seen him interviewed. And his and Steffi's is a great love story. The obscene language could so easily been handled by saying things like "effin" instead of the real words, and there is much worse. On audio you couls always bleep! Some of us get offended by such things. I don't think Andre will be so proud when he has grandchildren ( he probably wont mature fast enough to think about it for his own kids) and wouls like them to read the book.

Open: The Autobiography A Agassi

An absolutely captivating biography. You don't have to 'be into' tennis or sport to appreciate this story.

Thoroughly enjoyed

I enjoyed the way it was written,fantastic book and great storyline.

Recommended to tennis and non-tennis fans

Fleshing out the gaps

A great read, certainly worthwhile hearing how, in detail, this part of Agassi's life actually evolved. As a tennis fan I had questions around a lot of what went down with Andre & this book helped colour the background & set straight questions that lingered. It also it gives a great insight into the agony & elation that can come with a life at the top.

He is a great man - so much suffering!!

What did you love best about Open?

His frankness!

What other book might you compare Open to and why?

The Bridge at Dong Ha (John Grider Miller) So much pain and suffering!

Which scene was your favorite?

Being an old man (in terms of tennis) when he won his last Grand Slam.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - needed to listen to certain parts of it again!!

Any additional comments?

Buy the bloody thing and learn about personal PAIN for personal gain!!

Highly recommended

Gripping and touching story. Beautifully written. I couldn't stop listening. Enlightening to uncover more of Agassi's fascinating life !

Thoughtful and well narrated.

Where does Open rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

These is well worth a listen, one of the more engaging memoirs I've bought.