“Now that I’ve won a slam, I know something very few people on earth are permitted to know. A win doesn’t feel as good as a loss feels bad, and the good feeling doesn’t last long as the bad. Not even close.”
Andre Agassi
I first heard about Open almost a decade ago in an interview when Deepika Padukone was talking about depression. She said during a difficult time this book helped her. I like to read so picked it up immediately. I don’t know much about tennis and knew about a few tennis players. Agassi being one of them. Even then I wasn’t much curious about him. The moment I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. This was new. I hadn’t read an autobiography in this engaging writing. This book is revealing, vulnerable, honest and amazingly motivating. I first mentioned this book in my earlier post – A few books that influenced my life. It’s time I wrote a complete review –
About the Author
Andre Agassi is an American formal professional tennis player. He’s been no. 1 tennis player, an eight time major champion and an Olympic gold medallist. He was the first man to win all four singles majors on three different surfaces. He has been a gifted player and was first trained by his dad since he was 5. As a kid he once played with Boris Baker. In his autobiography – “Open” he shared the story of his life and Tennis. He truly has been open.
Star rating
5 Stars
Summary
“Life will throw everything but the kitchen sink in your path, and then it will throw the kitchen sink. It’s your job to avoid the obstacles. If you let them stop you or distract you, you’re not doing your job, and failing to do your job will cause regrets that paralyse you more than a bad back.”
Andre Agassi
This beautifully written story takes you through the life of a boy, a rebel, a punk and, a man. Open is an enchanting story told by the legend Agassi himself. He starts the story by telling how tired he is when he is near the end of his career and his body is almost giving up. Even as a boy, he lived with a burden to make his father’s dream alive. He was hitting tennis balls for hours on end to perfect his game since he was 5. As a result he hated tennis or so he believed. Reading the book not only made me a fan of the game but the man himself. Years ago when I was about 5, I had seen Steffi Graph play Tennis for the first time and discovering how she was wooed by Agassi was a cherry on the cake. 🙂
What I loved about the book
1. Writing
Yes, it’s amazing to read something this well written from someone who’s profession or even hobby is not writing. It’s a true page turner. A beautifully woven true story! Even the first chapter starts with the title – The End. That’s how the story begins. From the first page, it’s humbling to see the toll hard work, exertion and famous life takes on your body. The moment you start you are lost in the story. It is one of those books that you don’t want to end. You want the story to go on forever.
2. Story
“Hate brings me to my knees, love gets me on my feet.”
Andre Agassi
It certainly is a story worth telling. A world no. 1 tennis player admitting that he hated the game all along. The hate started when he was forced to practice as a boy and continued almost till the end. The ups and downs he went through and who he became in the end. Despite filled with struggles and insecurities the story takes a positive turn and worth a read for anyone struggling with insecurities, depression, body image or other self-image issues.
3. Vulnerabilities
“What you feel doesn’t matter in the end; it’s what you do that makes you brave.”
Andre Agassi
We all have insecurities and fears. It was refreshing, eye opening and also a bit sad to see someone who appears nothing but successful to struggle a big part of his life. How he hated the game because of the way he was forced to play it. The insecurity he felt while losing his mane. His drug use and honest accounts of both his marriages.
Final thoughts
“How lovely it is to dream while you are awake.”
Andre Agassi
This book motivates me every time I read it. While writing a review, if I just start flipping pages, I get lost in the story again. What more evidence is needed? 🙂
Until next week. Ciao!
