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Nov 17, 2009 5:47 pm US/Eastern
Agassi Discusses His Struggles Over The Years
Agassi Signed Copies Of His New Book 'Open' In Coral Gables On Monday
CORAL GABLES (CBS4) ―
In the 1990's Andre Agassi was a tennis and commercial superstar. He was credited for reviving the popularity of the sport that was sagging at the time. From world leaders, to screaming teenagers, he had millions of fans, but behind the bright smile and warm eyes, there was a kid who hated the sport that made him a star. It's all in black and white for the world to read in his new autobiography titled "Open."
CBS4's Lisa Petrillo caught up with him at a book signing at Temple Judea in Coral Gables.
"I believe the power of this story will be an asset in peoples' lives," Agassi told Petrillo. "I think the threads of this book is about waking up in a life you don't choose, a marriage you don't want to be in- kids trying to avoid pitfalls this book is about forgiveness, forgiveness of your parents, forgiveness of yourself. It's a powerful thing that's going to be around for a long time"
It began at age 7 when his dad forced him to hit at thousands of balls a day. "I played because the mood in the house was better, your 7 and I write about it," the superstar tennis player said.
With fame and fortune, came much insecurity. From that now infamous slipping hair piece, to drug use, a failed marriage to Brooke Shields, Agassi didn't know who he was or what he wanted. And his tennis career began to plummet.
"I always felt like it came with this price," he said. "This weight and it wasn't until I chose it at 27- at 141 in the world and I said I'm not going to do it. I'm going choose it for the first time for me. That's when I started to process learning to love. I didn't have a love-hate. I had a hate- love."
And he found true love with fellow tennis star Steffi Graf. They now have 2 kids, built a school that bears his name, and have raised millions of dollars for children's charities. And for Agassi who retired back in 2006 with an emotional ovation from tennis fans he'll never forget, writing this book is giving a little something back to them.
"They've given me their shoulders to stand on. And they held me to the fire at the end of the when they had to. I'm left with that connection," Agassi said.
To watch a recent 60 Minutes interview about these new revelations,
click here.
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