Open: An Autobiography Book

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2010 ; ; 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.