Agassi admits using crystal meth and lying to ATP

Comcast ^ | Martyn Herman and John O'Brien

[mlizzy]

LONDON — Eight-times grand slam winner Andre Agassi has admitted using the recreational drug crystal meth and lying to men's governing body the ATP to escape a ban.

In his book, serialised in The Times, the American candidly describes being introduced to the drug in 1997 by his assistant when his game was in freefall and he was having doubts about his impending marriage to actress Brooke Shields.

"Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table. He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've just crossed," Agassi, now 39, was quoted as saying.

"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful -- and I've never felt such energy."

Agassi, who won Wimbledon in 1992 as a long-haired rebel before claiming the U.S. Open in 1994 and the Australian Open in 1995, fell outside the top 100 in the world at the end of 1997 when he was hampered by a wrist injury.

[mlizzy]

Discouraging. He was one of my favorite tennis players, along with his wife, Steffi Graf.

[BallyBill]

His book revelation won't top Mackenzie Phillips though.

[Daveinyork]

It’s beginning to look like pro wrestling is the most honest of all pro sports.

[Puppage]

using the recreational drug crystal meth

Meth is hardly recreational.

[domenad]

Wow. There really is no upper income limit to white trash, is there?

I've always been for a total end on the drug war, even coke and heroin, but a synthetic like meth is realy, really dangerous.

[Infidel Heather]

Darn shame. I hope he also DISCOURAGED the use of drugs in this book. I hope he no longer using period.

[newfreep]

You mean pro wrasslin'!

[2banana]

recreational drug crystal meth

Kinda like walking through North Philly at night is a recreational stroll...

[incredulous joe]

Yeah, the “boo-hoo-hoo” factor for a guy who was a multimillionare and getting ready to marry Brook Sheilds?

Gee whiz, it just ain’t there for me.

This guy had no reason to be getting into this stuff; it’s adolescent and irresponsible, and it seems to me that the way it has been presented does not seeem particularly contrite. I bet it will sell a few more units though!

Based on this account, it would seem that he practically encourages this kind of behavior? He don’t seem real sorry about it.

Maybe I need to see a larger piece of the book, which I am sure will do well! I wouldn’t even bother checking it out of the library.

[VA_Gentleman]

That Mackenzie Phillips story sounds like a crock to me. Seriously, would anyone care about Mackenzie Phillip’s biography if not for that claim? It’s becoming so cliche now that every story has to have some sort of astonishing catch to draw reader’s interest. Jerome Bettis did it when he claimed he faked an injury to keep from getting cut, Mackenzie Phillip’s claim, and now Agassi. It’s sad.

[dennisw]

Discouraging. He was one of my favorite tennis players, along with his wife, Steffi Graf.

Steffi is more than OK but being married to Brook Shields? What was he thinking. She's not an awful person but she looks like one who wants to dominate a relationship due to being five years older than him. Plus she is not so feminine as Steffi

The Sheilds marriage dragged down his game to the point where he would take meth

[reagan_fanatic]

Isn’t this the guy that Barbara Striesand once gushed about as being some kind of ‘greek god’?

[mlizzy]

Darn shame. I hope he also DISCOURAGED the use of drugs in this book. I hope he no longer using period.

This news hit me like a ton of bricks ... I would hope as well that he does discourage drug use ... my guess is that he does ...

Andre Agassi Foundation for Education

[PrincessB]

Why yes. I remember Pete Sampras being on Leno or Letterman doing her “Andre! Andre!” impression after Pete beat him in the Wimbeldon finals.

[The Duke]

As long as they’re not operating a motor vehicle or otherwise in a position to put the public in jeopardy I don’t really care what any adult want’s to do with their own body. If he did enough meth then it simply creates a vacuum that some athlete not willing to contaminate his or her own body can step into.

[mlizzy]

Isn’t this the guy that Barbara Striesand once gushed about as being some kind of ‘greek god’?



I think they were seeing each other for a short period of time.

[mlizzy]

Steffi is more than OK but being married to Brook Shields? What was he thinking ... The Sheilds marriage dragged down his game to the point where he would take meth

Yes, I think many thought the same thing at the time.


Andre Agassi and his wife, Steffi Graf

[erman]

gee, the ATP gives Agassi a pass on crystal meth while guys doing testosterone get the boot with no appeal. Heck you can't even use a decongestant like Sinutab cause it is detected as amphetamines in urine tests. Same with anti inflammatory use of steroids because of the stupid rules regulating "drug" use.

I guess some animals are more equal than others.

I wonder when the Balco case will or might involve some female tennis players? I wonder what would happen then?

[sweet_diane]

Alcohol and pot are ‘recreational’ drugs, but meth? good grief!!

[Doc Savage]

Hope he photographed it with a Canon!