Andre Agassi felt about his first job, that of a professional tennis player, as do many young people, as well as people of all ages and stages of life, he hated it. Yes, for all tennis has afforded Andre Agassi, he hates tennis, and has since he was a young boy of seven years old hitting balls with the ball machine his father built that he nicknamed ‘the dragon’.
His autobiography details his time growing up with a father whose only activity was making him play and practice tennis. He relives his time at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy and his subsequent rebellion by getting his ears pierced, sporting a pink Mohawk, and dropping out of school. By sixteen Agassi turned pro keeping Bollettieri as a coach even though by Agassi’s account he didn’t do much coaching.
Agassi didn’t like to be alone therefore he gave careful thought about the people he surrounded himself with. In the beginning struggling for success he traveled the world with his older brother Philly, and then as the wins started to come, he decided to add a physical trainer and by chance met Gil Reyes. Gil would not only become a father figure and protector, but would stay with him throughout his entire career. Since Bollettieri would leave Agassi, the next member of his team would be a coach. A player in the twilight of his career would be suggested by the name of Brad Gilbert who would become his coach and stick around for the next eight years until Darren Cahill came along who would stay with him until his eventual retirement. Agassi was touted for keeping an entourage with him, but each member of his team played an integral part of helping him win and reach the world number one ranking on more than one occasion.
It’s true; Agassi knowingly used an illegal drug and then lied about it to the ATP. He made a mistake and didn’t make it twice. That old saying, you can’t close the barn door after the horse is already out, I think that applies here. There’s nothing to do, nothing to say, just move on.
Andre covers his two year marriage to Brooke Shields. There’s not much to say, they grew together, they grew apart. Shields left him then wanted him back but by then he was already pursuing Stefanie Graf. After Shields found out about Graf, she never spoke to Agassi again. Agassi’s pursuit of Graf ended in a successful mixed doubles pair that produced two children, a boy Jaden, and a daughter, Jaz.
Andre Agassi chose to end his 21 year professional career in 2006 at the age of 36. He has repaid tennis through his tireless play and herculean effort to remain physically fit and on top of his game. Of course he had moments of doubt and falter, who doesn’t, but Agassi played until his body would take him no farther. When asked by reporters why he continued to play he replied, “I play because I choose to play. Even if it’s not your ideal life, you can always choose it. No matter what your life is, choosing it changes everything.”
Agassi continues to play exhibitions matches and support his charitable foundation along with his charter school which he has raised over $85 million for. He lives where it all began, in Las Vegas.
www.agassifoundation.org
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