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In Memoir, Agassi Admits Using Crystal Meth

In Open , due Nov. 9, tennis star says he lied to avoid punishment

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 27, 2009 8:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – In a forthcoming memoir, tennis star Andre Agassi admits that he used crystal meth during his career, and even lied about it to avoid penalty for a positive drug test. “I can’t speak to addiction, but a lot of people would say that if you’re using anything as an escape, you have a problem,” he tells People, which carries an excerpt in its new edition of Open, due out Nov. 9.

Agassi’s drug use occurred during 1997, when his ranking plummeted to 141st in the world following injury. Asked how he thought fans might react to the news, Agassi, now 39, says, “I was worried for a moment, but not for long. … I wore my heart on my sleeve and my emotions were always written on my face. I was actually excited about telling the world the whole story.”

Steffi Graf and husband Andre Agassi.
Steffi Graf and husband Andre Agassi.   (AP Photo)
Andre Agassi greets the crowd while being honored on opening night of the US Open, Aug. 31, 2009.
Andre Agassi greets the crowd while being honored on opening night of the US Open, Aug. 31, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
yellowjeep
Oct 28, 2009 6:52 AM CDT
Yes and no. Yes drugs can be used to cheat, certain drugs. Drugs like meth and coke are not going to help a person be more competitive. In the 50s amphetamines were the drug of choice in cycling because it was a stimulant but now its not going to help like Anabolics or EPO/CERA would. Did you even read the article? "Agassi’s drug use occurred during 1997, when his ranking plummeted to 141st in the world following injury." He started using after he was injured and fell from the top.
yellowjeep
Oct 28, 2009 5:41 AM CDT
"At my school, it was hard to find anybody who didn't at a minimum drink alcohol" Still holds true and I am as guilty of it as anybody else (alcohol that is).
shopgirl1623
Oct 28, 2009 4:36 AM CDT
Why? Why is it that all these sport stars come to light as great athletes, only years later to find out that they used drugs to get there. What about the poor schmos they beat who weren't doing drugs who might actually be the real winners. Drugs while completing in sports is cheating. Am I wrong?

 
entertainment • memoir • crystal meth • Steffi Graf • men's tennis • Andre Agassi • Brooke Shields

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