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Andre Agassi - Source: Getty Images -
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Chasing the cash cow
By Chris Matthews
Andre Agassi's confession in his tell-all autobiography that he indulged in New Zealand's most notorious drug smacks of a man in need of cash.
The revelation, while interesting and helpful for scrubby housecleaners, has achieved little for the man other than an anticipated cash bonanza.
Bidding for the book among publishers has exceeded $US5 million and already it has all the hallmarks of being an Amazon sensation.
But why does Agassi need to sell so many books? One can only speculate about his motives but the sinister nature of its teasing release should leave no-one fooled.
The small snippets, which appeared in four publications that paid for rights to headline it, has successfully seduced any chump with a spare $31.99.
But is the cash worth tarnishing his legend? Absolutely not!
Agassi's legacy is about a wild child from Las Vegas that rose to the top of his sport through supreme fitness and a sheer will to win.
He should be remembered for being one of the greatest tennis players in the modern era. Forget about his failed marriage to washed-up Hollywood starlet Brooke Shields and excuse the renegade persona of his early career that gave the elitist country club game some spunk.
This is a man that is only one of six in the history of the game to win a career Grand Slam and that's what the Agassi name should be remembered for.
Instead the cash cow came calling and that's a damn shame.
Honesty is a virtue
By Max Bania
So, it turns out the wild child of '90s tennis smoked a bit of crystal meth back in the day. Shock horror.
Now begins the flood of righteous indignation as fans, administrators and players past and present queue up to stick the boot into a man who is rightly regarded as one of the greatest players and showmen of all time.
But is anyone really that surprised about the announcement?
After all, Agassi cherished the role of pantomime villain of US tennis - the wayward, prodigal son to Pete Sampras's wholesome all-American persona.
Glamour girlfriends and wild parties accompanied him wherever he went; barbers and PR agents evidently did not.
And then, as he approached the twilight of his career, Agassi underwent a transformation that some sportsmen of his ilk never experience. He matured.
One day the wild flowing locks were gone. His fiery on-court persona mellowed. His athleticism became the envy of the tour. Always a crowd favourite, Agassi became a family favourite too.
So, instead of reviling him for his illicit act, let's applaud him for his honesty.
Modern day society - and New Zealand is no exception - is riddled with recreational drug users spending their often ill-gotten gains on P and other drugs; the vast majority of whom will never own up to their crime, and never be brought to account.
At least Agassi can no longer count himself among these scoundrels.
And what's more, he clearly learned a few lessons from his dalliance with the drug. The first is that crystal meth doesn't make you a better tennis player - it's no coincidence that he slid to below 140 in the world rankings in the midst of his self-confessed P-spree.
The second is that it often pays to be honest - literally. Agassi sold the rights to his memoirs for more than US$5m: many times the amount he would have fetched sans the drug revelations.
And then Agassi's story provides us with the comforting reminder that drug addiction can be conquered, as long as the strength of character and willingness to change is there.
It's a shame that there are so many who are prepared to denounce Agassi's stellar career because of what amounted to a few errors in judgment by a confused and overawed young man.
Now that he's had the maturity to own up to his actions, it's clear he wants to put that sordid chapter of his life behind him and move on.
It's time for the rest of us to do the same
What do you think was Andre Agassi's motivation? Feel free to comment below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentnick123 said on 2009-10-30 @ 18:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
Many bid for Agassi's memoirs, surely Agassi did not tell them of his drug exploits, so he would still have lot of money on the book with or without mentioning his drug past. It takes a lot of strength to reveal a disturbing aspect of one's past when no one would have known about it. Certainly, the drug he used was not performance enhancing. He touched the bottom and then rose to the greatest heights by his courage and willpower. Makes him more heroic and in many ways an inspiration to people who have lost their way
nzfl said on 2009-10-30 @ 17:42 NZDT: Report abusive post
It is part of growing up to experiment in illicit activities... The fact of the matter is you are either better for it or end up in the gutter. That is the risk you take either knowingly, or in hindsight learn. So he smoked a little crack for a year, dropped to 140th in the world and realized his mistake. His legacy is his career, not 1 year of it. The man is a champion and a great one at that. I pity those who can't see past this experimental phase.
Piglet said on 2009-10-30 @ 17:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is all about money. Honesty and clearing his conscience has nothing to to with it - he's a has been with a book to sell
Bullethole69 said on 2009-10-30 @ 17:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
Good enough for Millie Holmes, good enough for Andre!
The Slickster said on 2009-10-30 @ 17:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Yeah I tend to agree that Andre needs money! While I applaud his honesty, I'm suspicious of his motives!