Open - BOOKS.HCCP.ORG

eBook

English language

Published Jan. 9, 2009 by HarperCollins.

OCLC Number:: 587497401

(1 review)

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 …

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.

5 editions

Ed@bookwyrm.social reviewed Open by Andre Agassi

Inside the mind of a tennis pro

5 stars

This book spends a lot of time in Agassi's head, illustrating how much of his game was mental as well as gruellingly physical. It's a very easy read, spending a decent chunk of time on the court in a interesting way.

Like all autobios it starts to taper off at the end. But doesnt outstay its welcome pretty much finishing off at the end of his career with a final chapter for afterwards.

He makes a point to state that is was a collaboration with a writer, structuring the book and the content based off their meetings, which means the book is highly polished. Its a good read even for someone who isnt into tennis (Im certainly not) and might be less interesting for people who don't remember the Agassi / Sampras Nike tennis ad, but was still a good read for putting you in his shoes on and off …

This book spends a lot of time in Agassi's head, illustrating how much of his game was mental as well as gruellingly physical. It's a very easy read, spending a decent chunk of time on the court in a interesting way.

Like all autobios it starts to taper off at the end. But doesnt outstay its welcome pretty much finishing off at the end of his career with a final chapter for afterwards.

He makes a point to state that is was a collaboration with a writer, structuring the book and the content based off their meetings, which means the book is highly polished. Its a good read even for someone who isnt into tennis (Im certainly not) and might be less interesting for people who don't remember the Agassi / Sampras Nike tennis ad, but was still a good read for putting you in his shoes on and off the court.