Open

An Autobiography

By: Andre Agassi

Narrated by: Erik Davies

Length: 18 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography.

Agassi’s incredibly rigorous training begins when he is just a child. By the age of 13, he is banished to a Florida tennis camp that feels like a prison camp. Lonely, scared, a ninth-grade dropout, he rebels in ways that will soon make him a 1980s icon. He dyes his hair, pierces his ears, dresses like a punk rocker. By the time he turns pro at 16, 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 relationship. Never before has the inner game of tennis and the outer game of fame been so precisely limned. Alongside vivid portraits of rivals from several generations - Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer - Agassi gives unstinting accounts of his brief time with Barbra Streisand and his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields. He reveals a shattering loss of confidence. And he recounts his spectacular resurrection, a comeback climaxing with his epic run at the 1999 French Open 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. Inspired by her quiet strength, he fights through crippling pain from a deteriorating spine to remain a dangerous opponent in the 21st and final year of his career. Entering his last tournament in 2006, he’s hailed for completing a stunning metamorphosis, from nonconformist to elder statesman, from dropout to education advocate. And still he’s not done. At a US Open for the ages, he makes a courageous last stand, then delivers one of the most stirring farewells ever heard in a sporting arena.

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

©2009 Andre Agassi (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“Insightful [and] exceedingly well-written . . . [Open] has the cadence and plotting of a good novel . . . The raw energy and emotion throughout are pure Agassi.” (Newsday, Top 10 Books of 2009)

“Surprisingly candid . . . The baseline bad boy serves up his harrowing anecdotes with the same force he put behind every on-court ace.” (Entertainment Weekly 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2009)

“Bracingly devoid of triumphalist homily, Agassi’s is one of the most passionately anti-sports books ever written by a superstar athlete.” (The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2009)

Finally, an honest gut wrenching adventure

Who knew a book about tennis could be so entertaining? Wow, after a string of suds, Andre saved the day. More than tennis, this is a man's personal struggle with life. You'll find yourself cheering for the guy. Top knotch biography. Andre, hats off to you.

Game, Set, Match!

I don't know why I was so late to the party in finding this book, but it is a surprisingly terrific celebrity memoir on the order of Rob Lowe's "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" and Barbra Streisand's magnum opus. Thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the performance. I suspect the assistance of J. R Moehringer had much to do with the ebb and flow of the book. But the story is all Agassi's and it great!

how Agassi hated tennis.

Agassi story is suprisingly a sad and painful memory of his childhood but with a happy ending. He finally loves tennis when his body can no longer play professionally.

Keep trying

I loved the real stories of success and defeat, on how to take on a person and attack their strengths. Life is a roller coaster and agaci hit rock bottom and skyrocketed to the top on multiple occasions.

Belize-bound

Agassi is the most insightful, honest (or seemingly honest) autobiographer I've ever run into. The book is fascinating, start to finish. On top of that, it's the best non-fiction book I've read in 5 years. It's not his life story as he would have wanted it to be, or the life story that he thought would sell the best, or a hagiography. It's his story exactly as it was, in unvarnished, penetrating -- and compelling -- detail. It's spectacular. P.S. Pete Sampras and Brooke Shields won't like it. P.S.S. You'll cry 5 or 6 times.

Perfect Title

What a life Andre Agassi has lead. I applaud Andre for showing us his warts and helping us understand how they got there. It was fun being taken back to the go-go days of US Men's tennis in the 90s - so many great competitors and personalities. I think anyone who is curious or intrigued by Andre Agassi would enjoy this book, but there is a fair amount of tennis match recounting, so it helps if you like tennis. I blew through this book very quickly.

A Great book - What a ride!!

The title says it all. He lays it all out. A wonderful look inside the tennis world and an even better look inside Agassi. His fans will LOVE this book. If they would actually read it, his critics will too. After you are accustomed to Agassi not being the narrator - the narration is excellent as well. 18 hours goes by in a flash...couldn't put it down.

Favorite nonfiction audio book of all time

If you could sum up Open in three words, what would they be?

Have not enjoyed a nonfiction audiobook as much as I enjoyed this, ever. Entertaining and uplifting!

Storytelling is 1st class

Keeps your attention. I laughed and cried. It kept my attention all the way until the end.

Great stories

Highly recommend to any tennis or sports fan. Was interesting to find out stories I've never heard before about him. Worth the listen.