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)

Great story, terrible narration

Amazing story, but could not get through the first hour of the audiobook, so bought it in hard cover and read it instead.

The narrator is using the same narrator voice as the guys who narrates trailers for Hollywood action movies, and it drove me crazy.

A must read, not a must listen.

Unexpected History on an Iconic Athlete

The book was compelling and unexpected. Totally riveted by the unique and detailed memoire. If you like sports and good writing this will have you staying up late!

Entertaining & Inspiring

Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s I was a massive Andre Agassi fan. This book was not only nostalgic for me but entertaining and inspiring in moments. Andre did a wonderful job of painting visual images with his words and stories. The detail when describing his thoughts and feelings is magical. Highly recommend!

Great book!

Great book, very well narrated
Amazing autobiography of Agassi
Never imagined all what he went through his life

Great biography

Great story. “Open” is a great title for this book where we discover Agassi from the inside. History takes a different turn. I’ve learnt a lot from his sharing, especially the words from his coach. Enlightening

Interesting but would have much preferred Agassi to have read

I highly recommend the book but didn’t care for the narrator because he sounds so different than Agassi and I especially did not care for how he voiced the women. Ugh.

Need.This.Documentary

700 streaming services and no one has made a series about Andre’s life? Read this book now!

Amazingly Revealing

An extraordinary autobiography. Andre opens the book on his tortured but ultimately successful life. We feel the pain of his love-hate relationship with his father and his sport, his search for meaning in his life, the demons he wrestles every time he steps on the court, and his view of his competitors, the press, and the fans. In addition to telling nearly all, he tells it beautifully with telling detail and frequent quotes that can't possibly be so well remembered... but we don't care because it brings the book so alive. Brilliant.

Awesome inside peek!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. A fascinating look into the person I watched on tv. Andre has worked on a lot of demons and is amazingly open in this book. I did not care for the voice of the narrator.

'Open' is an appropriate title for this book!

I was apprehensive about learning the inside scoop on one of my childhood heroes. The media decided to focus on two aspects of this autobiography: his hair, and his ironic distaste for tennis.

You would do yourself a great disservice to assume that terse summary does this great autobiography any justice. In many ways this summary is indicative of the way the media has treated Agassi his whole career. In fact, this book delves inside the head of an incredibly sensitive, down-to-earth and observant world-class athlete and his struggles in tennis, but more importantly, with what is important in life.

A very gripping and enjoyable read!