5 reasons why "Open" is a book that every tennis fan should read

The autobiography of Andre Agassi was a raging hit after its release, and still continues to inspire sportspersons across the globe. So what makes "Open" such a special book among the many autobiographies that are out there?

The cover of 'Open'

Agassi is one of the greatest players to have ever graced a tennis court. His on-field antics and his rebel-like attitude on court brought him numerous fans as well as haters, not unlike Nick Kyrgios today.

From having long hair to going completely bald, Agassi showed the tennis world every facet of his personality. He could transform from one form to another quickly and surprise people.

In his autobiography, Agassi talks about every situation that made him the person he is right now. His love-hate relationship with tennis was confusing yet intriguing at the same time.

Here are five reasons why "Open" should cement its place among the shelves of every tennis fan:

1. It's relatability to the common audience

The first and foremost reason why everyone would get connected to this book from the early pages itself is its relatability.

Agassi writes in simple words, and describes everyday situations with poignancy. Any reader would easily understand how Agassi was a confused brat, hating the methods implemented by his father to make him learn tennis at a very tender age.

The book also gives an insight into what runs through any typical teenage lad's brain when his parents are controlling everything concerning his career. This is shown with utmost sincerity, and can be empathized with easily because of the words used to describe those feelings.

Agassi was just a boy next door who was forced into playing tennis by his father, and he hated it throughout his boyhood. But the important point to be noted here is that Agassi knew that even though he hated tennis, he didn't know know what to do if he stopped touching his racquet.

This ambiguity is cleverly demonstrated in his own words by Agassi in the book.

2. It gives an understanding the toughness of the game

Agassi concludes in his autobiography that tennis requires players to be extremely tough, especially on the mental front. They are also completely alone and vulnerable in the heat of the battle, which makes competing even tougher.

There are numerous quotes in the book that talk about these two aspects. Here is the most striking of them:

“Only boxers can understand the loneliness of tennis players - and yet boxers have their corner men and managers. Even a boxer's opponent provides a kind of companionship, someone he can grapple with and grunt at. In tennis you stand face-to-face with the enemy, trade blows with him, but never touch him or talk to him, or anyone else. The rules forbid a tennis player from even talking to his coach while on the court.

"People sometimes mention the track-and-field runner as a comparably lonely figure, but I have to laugh. At least the runner can feel and smell his opponents. They're inches away. In tennis you're on an island. Of all the games men and women play, tennis is the closest to solitary confinement....”

3. It gives an insight into the mentality of a champion

Just like Kyrgios from the current lot, Agassi was never liked by any of his peers when he was playing and he openly admits that fact in his book. He is vocal about how others poked fun at him occasionally, especially Boris Becker, who would often say that Agassi was given special treatment in spite of his poor performance.

Agassi was never happy with winning. Unlike Pete Sampras, he never intended to be the greatest player of all time, as he took to the sport only because of his father.

Agassi and Sampras at US Open 1990

Instead of looking at the big picture, Agassi always tried to fill in the little gaps that were created by people around him. He won titles just out of sheer grudges, and he won Majors because his father wanted to.

This confusing attitude of Agassi towards the game and life in general is eye-opening.

4. His love life

Agassi is happily married to Steffi Graf, one of the greatest players of all time. But before Graf, he was married to Brooke Shields, an American Actress.

That marriage didn't last long as Agassi claims they both went overboard several times when it came to their professional commitments.

Agassi with his first wife Brooke Shields

Agassi mentions that he was so possessive that he broke all his trophies when he saw Shields licking the fingers of another guy during the shoot for one of the episodes of the hit sit-com Friends. He even states that his proposal to Shields was not a fulfilling one as he was completely overwhelmed by self-doubt while doing it.

Agassi clearly mentions in his memoir that he regretted marrying Shields almost immediately after they got married. This can also be attributed to Agassi's unstable thinking during his initial playing years.

5. Injuries and comebacks

Agassi faced injuries throughout the course of his career, but his back pain was one injury that haunted him forever. One of the vertebrae in the lower back slipped out of its place early on, and he continued to play with it for years.

Agassi trying to hit a forehand cross-court in one of his US Open matches

Agassi explains in his memoir that there were many matches where he didn't feel the gratification of winning because of the chronic pain he had in his lower back. This made him hate the game even more.

Yet, he pushed his body to its limits and came back on many occasions to win Majors by defeating the likes of Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl etc.

Agassi's memoir would definitely give readers a source of inspiration to stand up from defeat; it instills the willingness to fight even harder. It even says that you have to love your profession even if they hate it (which is contradictory but a reality).

Agassi's "Open" is emotional, funny and thought-provoking. You may start reading the book with prejudice, but you will come out of it with sheer respect for the legend.