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)  

Just an Incredible Story!

I love reading sports biographies. But most are droll re-tellings of the players highlights. Once in a while you'll get lucky and find one that's inciteful, and entertaining. This one does both!

J.R.Moehringer does an awesome job of telling a story: what motivates Andre, how his view of tennis was formed, and his struggles for finding motivation. There's a love story (Steffi, not Brooke), and some very funny parts that will make you laugh out loud. You get Andre's account of his major and formative tennis matches. Don't worry, it's not about every single serve and volley; you get the critical parts, and you get a sense of how mentally taxing the game of tennis really is. You also find out how physical it is. I can't wait to see replays of the old Agassi matches and remembering how Andre described the match. I just saw the Agassi-Baghdatis US Open match highlights a few nights ago.

Erik Davies does a tremendous job with his inflections, and doing "voices" of the different characters in the book. You know who is speaking by how Erik talks. I wonder if he listened to the audio tapes of the original interviews to get an idea of how to speak in the first person as if Andre read the book himself.

Andre doesn't hold back when talking about his rivals - the ones he likes and respects, and the ones he doesn't.

If you're a "sports parent", you *MUST* read this book, no matter the sport. I wonder how many of us parents will be a little more aware of how we handle our kids in their sport(s) after hearing Andre's story about his Dad. Just a heads up: Andre does drop a few F-bombs, so be forwarned. It doesn't take away from the story, but you need to know if you plan on letting your children hear the story.

Download this book and you will enjoy it, no matter what your preconceived opinions of Andre Agassi are.

Terrible Narration

I'm sorry to say this incredible story was horribly read by Erik Davies. His tone-deaf impersonations were so bad that it ruined the book for me. He reduced Andre and Brook into cardboard caricatures of themselves. Better to simply read this book. Too bad Andre didn't read it himself.

wrong voice for this reading.

this voice did not match the material. too breathy, more for a romantic novel. book was okay at best.

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!!!

Eye OPENing

I have always been a tennis fan, loved watching Agassi play...this book reveals the real Agassi. I downloaded it and could not stop listening.

My only complaint, when the narrator was speaking as a female...it kind of bugged me!!

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.

Loved every second!

This was a great autobiography. He is so OPEN and to the benefit of others, he shared his ups and downs. We can all relate. I am an even bigger fan now. To know how he pushed on and competed in spite of how he felt, was moving, inspirational and sad all at the same time. I could go on and on about this story, but will save it for the listener to experience first hand.

best book in 11 years of listening

Agassi's book is awesome. It feels as if you have been in his tennis bag for 20 years. The stories and recollections are robust, and the narration is first rate. Just terrific.

Best celebrity memoir I've heard

I like sports a lot, but was never a big tennis or Agassi fan. I loved every minute of this book though. It was SUPER funny, and extremely interesting at the same time. My favorite parts were the stories about his dad when Agassi was a child, and then about his pursuit of Steffi Graf. My favorite character was his coach Brad Gilbert, but there are so many great characters in this book. If I had access to a time machine, going back to spend time on the road with Agassi and his group of friends would be near the top of my list now.

If you are remotely considering this book, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed, sports fan or not.

Great book!

I loved this book! It was well written and moving, exciting sports recounts, a love story, and the struggles of the famous athlete. I had no real opinion of Andre but now am a big fan. I felt that I was carried behind the scenes into the mind of a super athlete. I am also very impressed with his "giving back" philosophy. Very worth listening to...great narrator too!