Open

An Autobiography

De: Andre Agassi

Narrado por: Erik Davies

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.

A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century

Agassi’s incredibly rigorous training begins when he is just a child. By the age of thirteen, 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 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 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 twenty-first 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 U.S. 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 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.©2009 Andre Agassi; (P)2009 Random House

Outstanding!

I had this book in my wish list for two years and without a doubt, that was a huge mistake. This book was outstanding! Not a huge tennis fan but this is such a great story. I loved hearing about Andre when he was little. I loved hearing about his rise to the tennis ranks and I loved listening to how he remained on top. I even loved hearing about his personal relationships as well. Most impressively, the narrator did a tremendous job and the book is written in such a great way, it made me wonder if Agassi actuallly did write this. If so, he writing ability may be as good as his tennis talents! Two thumbs up and highly recommended!!!

Compelling...the ghost writer loves metaphors

The opening has way too much detail...but the story of his childhood, up to his adult struggles, is really good. Ironically (?) when he pulls his life together it becomes boring and repetitive.

The narrator is ok-but he narrates everything in the same tone, super serious. Appropriate for some scenes, less so for others.

Andre is borderline cruel to some people in his past...but I imagine he was encouraged to go back in time to what he actually thought back then, immaturity and all.

So, I'm being hard on the book. Ultimately, if you like a compelling story, and have followed tennis, you will like this. Even if you don't follow tennis you will get something out of it, even though the extentive parts will probably be lost on you.

To me the most important things are the plight of the child prodigy who gets mercilessly pushed. by his partner, and the young adult who gets pushed by tennis and advertisers as the "bad boy", even if it wasn't necessarily the case.

I am glad I listened to it, by the way. I can't compare, as I didn't read it, but I don't know if that would have been as good.

Ghost writers. There's no way of knowing how much was Agassi's voice...this guy also did Prince Harry, would be interesting to find out how different it is.

If you grew up as a tennis fan I think you'll like this.

Overly dramatic reading

Agassi's story is one of the most intriguing in sports. This book is unrelenting in the clear-eyed approach Andre takes to describing his life, feelings, and relationships throughout his amazing career.
My only complaint is that the narrator takes an equally unrelenting tone that borders between morose and suicidal. I had to struggle to hear the familiar voice of Andre Agassi in the words being spoken. The quality of Eric Davies inflection was so singular that it was hard to glean the emotional state of the man as he traversed the first four decades of his life.
I wish they had either had Andre read it himself, or selected someone with a similar timbre and tone.

A bitter life

It’s not about tennis, it’s about survival and life lessons for a child who was pushed too hard by his father. A must read for every parent with a child playing a competitive sport.

Couldn't stop listening!!!

My first memories of tennis are of Andre Agassi. It's honest, funny, well written and overall fascinating to me. I find myself Googling him and the people he played while I listen to it here in my office. I also have a strong urge to go to Dick's Sporting and buy a racket even though I haven't played the game since 1995. I highly recommend this audio book.