How To Andre Agassi's Autobiography Open

Andre Agassi's new book is a joy to read. He is funny, witty, jaded, and happy as both an author and as a tennis great. From his childhood facing a ball machine nicknamed "the monster" to his failed relationship with Brooke Shields, the book gives an in-depth look at the people and events that molded this champion into the man we've come to know and love on the court. (He even grazes the subject of his relationship with Barbara Streisand.)

Most sports memoirs are packed with cliches about the sport. Agassi takes an honest look at the tribulations and stresses of being in the game (both mentally and physically), and attempts to tackle the draw to a game that he loves to hate.

The story evolves as does the life of the greatest returner in the history of tennis. He talks about his heroes, his growth as a player, his personal limitations; everything you would expect in a memoir. But the styling of Agassi (and his ghostwriter) keep the reader chortling to him or herself throughout the book, which can easily be tackled in a few days.

Open humanizes Agassi's relationships with his team of trainers, coaches, and friends as they move through years of Opens. The book draws an honest picture of what went through the mind of Pete Sampras' on-court arch rival as he just barely lost to him again and again over the years.

Agassi tackles the good and the bad with honor, even speaking candidly about his premature baldness, his obsession with breaking the Agassi media hype and his foray into the use of crystal meth (which almost cost him his career).