Andre Aggasi was the poster boy for dissent. From his stint at the Nick Bolletierri Tennis Academy in Florida early in his tennis life to the middle of his career, he remained a rebel.
Now at 39, after a long-drawn career studded with eight Grand Slam titles and a career Grand Slam, a consequence of a gold medal in the Atlanta Olympics, Agassi has opened a chapter that could be potentially catastrophic to his revamped image. After revealing that he had experimented with drugs in his yet- to- be released autobiography Open, he seems have invoked the ghosts from his past.
Crystal methamphetamine was rampantly used by the German military in World War II to keep their spirits high. Although tennis has no relation to war (except maybe a McEnroe –Connors match), the pressures of professional tennis is as nerve -wrecking. Agassi’s tryst with crystal meth began at a time when he was down in the dumps personally and professionally. His marriage to Brooke Shields had failed and his performance on the Tour was at best, ordinary. In the book he says that he was introduced to the drug by his assistant ‘Slim’. He writes, “I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've just crossed. There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful -- and I've never felt such energy.” He failed the dope test in 1999 and was later on let off after he lied to the ATP by stating that he had accidently consumed a spiked drink. Why was such an incident not dealt with in an appropriate manner? Any other sport would have brought in a ban for a couple of years on the player.
Agassi rebounded from what most people considered his descent into obscurity by winning the two Grand Slams and thereby ending Pete Sampras’s reign as the top rank player. Obviously this cannot be done with a mere sniff of crystal meth. All those people vying for his blood ought to realise that his position in history will never be toppled.
ATP has only itself to blame for letting Agassi off the hook a decade ago. These revelations are a testament to his desire to be contrite. For a man who retired from tennis in 2006 Agassi could have led a cushy life as a commentator or just continue his fabulous philantrophic work. Penning an autobiography with scandalous content is a choice Andre Aggasi has mindfully made. He regularly works with inner city kids at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. He must believe that by opening up his life he has only set an example for these kids.If this is the case, he will also elevate his position in the eyes of his most ardent supporters who otherwise have been dissapointed.
Boris Becker said he was shocked to hear the news on Agassi’s confession. He also went on to say that Agassi could have been using the drug in any of 14 matches that they played against each other. Incidentally Becker lost 10 of those to the might of the Agassi’s return of serve and not to any stimulant. In any case a man of Becker stature should only support him, considering he was under a lot of fire after he fathered a child out of wedlock and which eventually earned him a divorce. These so called Apostles of morality should paddle away from opinions that have little consequence to man who is certainly pouring his heart out.
Andre Agassi has always turned a new leaf when confronted with criticism. Be it his appearance at Wimbledon’91 in a pristine white outfit or his rise World No.1 in 1999 from the darkest phase of his tennis career.
It will be sometime before he kisses goodbye in trademark Agassi style and till then he shall remain a rebel at heart .
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