Agassi about his father : "a phenomenally generous person"

Among trumped-up comments on Agassi's autobiography is the fact that Agassi settles accounts with his father in his book. 


He qualified that yesterday in Good Morning LA portraying his father as both a rough character and "a phenomenally generous person"

Agassi had earlier in the week said of his autobiograhy that it was above all a "book of forgiveness"  

Ref : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3awzlCIaJM

John Newcombe voices his support for Agassi

Aussie Tennis legend John Newcombe came in support of Agassi after the turmoil created by his revelations of crystal meth use in 1997.

He argued that Agassi's drug use was not related to doping, but linked with depression.

""It's just a little show of support because there are a lot of people criticising him ... and I'm not sure they have got the facts right."

"The weaknesses revealed are not anti-tennis, they are human frailties, the story of living with that sort of pressure," he said.

Ref : http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/tennis/newk-serves-up-some-love-for-agassi/2009/11/12/1257615112723.html

Agassi to Marat Safin : "I give you the entire year of 1997"

Andre Agassi reacted yesterday to Marat Safin's comments that the American should "give back his Grand Slam titles" following his admittance of taking crystal meth in 1997.

Taken from yesterday's Good Day LA show, where Agassi replied to the newly retreated Russian player : 


"In 1997, I fell to 141 in the world, my life was in ruins. I would love to take that entire year, box it up, I'd love to send it to him, he can have the whole year"

Earlier this week, Aussie tennis legend John Newcombe dismissed Safin's suggestion as "stupid. I think that was a bit of Marat tongue-in-cheek."

Ref : Good Day LA, Youtube 3'30"" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3awzlCIaJM

"Open : a book of forgiveness" Agassi says

Agassi just gave an interview to CBS4 in which he presents his autobiography as "a book of forgiveness", rather than a settelement of accounts, as it is often depicted.

Ref : http://cbs4.com/video/?id=86748@wfor.dayport.com

He who takes crystal meth... needs help, says Agassi

Reasserting that he didn't take crystal meth as performance-enhancer, Agassi called for more nuancies in doping penalties.

"It clearly wasn't performance-enhancing. If a guy fails a drug test for crystal meth, we should be trying to get him help"

See also our article on Navratilova comparing Agassi to Roger Clemens.

Ref : http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/andre-agassi-autobiography.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+LAT_Sports_Blog+(The+Fabulous+Forum)

Agassi "only hurting himself" as he took crystal meth

Interviewed by the LA Times, Andre Agassi acknowledged that if he had failed a drug test today, he would have been suspended by the authorities of his sport.

"It couldn't happen today, and that's a good thing". He explained that he would have been impossible today to get away with a lie to the ATP, contrary to what happened in his his favor in 1997.

Ref : http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/andre-agassi-autobiography.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+LAT_Sports_Blog+(The+Fabulous+Forum)   

Agassi : "No regret !"

Andre Agassi told Reuters Press Agency he had "no regret" after the release of his sensational(ized) biography. " how do you regret telling the truth? This is the only chance I have to communicate the power of my journey."

This unbiased article brings balance to the media treatment of the "case", sor far stained by the accumulation of partial comments.  

Ref :  http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE5AC3Y320091113

Safin urges Agassi to give back "his money and his Grand Slams titles"

The newly retreated Marat Safin urged Agassi to give back "his money and his Grand Slam titles" following Agassi's revelations on crystal meth use in 1997. The interview was published in the French sports' daily "L'équipe".

  

Agassi reasserts taking crystal meth in 1997 only

In "60 Minutes", Andre Agassi made it clear that he took crystal meth at various times throughout 1997. But not outside of this time frame.

"It was a foggy time in my life (...)"I did it  (taking crystal meth) way to many in 1997. I did it for a good part of this year, stating early into the year, ending deeper into the year" he declared.

Ref : http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/depeches/sports/20091110.FAP2633/marat_safin_veut_quagassi_rende_ses_titres_apres_ses_av.html

1997 : Brad Gilbert ultimatum's to Agassi

Andre Agassi revealed in "60 Minutes" that his former coach Brad Gilbert gave him an "ultimatum" in 1997, a time  when his career was running downhill.  



Brad Gilbert urged Agassi to choose a new path after he lost to Todd Martin in the first round of a Masters Series event in Stuttgart.

"I'm going to start over, this is what I'm going to do. My dad is not chosing it, this is my choice alone. It is the first time of my life I felt it was my choice" Agassi said

Agassi's "60 minute" interview : on crystal meth and hatred of tennis

Answering Katie Couric's questions in her "60 minutes" Talk Show, Andre Agassi finally brought light to many elements of his autobiography which received sensational attention from the  media. He gives precisions on his use of crystal meth in 1997 and his "hatred" of tennis as a youngster.
  

Eurosport UK viewers opposed to penalties against Agassi

In a recent internet poll conducted by Eurosport UK ( Eurosport is a European sports satellite and cable network)- 59%  of the participants answered "no" to the question : "Should tennis authorities punish Andre Agassi after he revealed he took crystal meth and speed ?"

Not everybody's "shocked and awed" ;)

Ref : http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/tennis/pollresult.html?poll_id=49653&wv=1

Murray, Verdasco and Roddick next on the witch-hunt list ?

It's not easy to back up Andre Agassi now that the dogs are unleashed... But Andy Murray, Fernando Verdasco and Andy Roddick were among the rare players to bring support to Andre Agassi in the aftermath of his revelations regarding crystal meth use.  

Verdasco's association with Agassi's former trainer Gil Reyes accounts for this expected support. The two "Andies" Andy Roddick and Andy Murray followed suite with conforting words for Agassi.

Certainly not an easy task to side with Agassi at this time. But there is far cry between morally supporting Agassi and condoning his actions. 

Ref
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/02/andy-murray-andre-agassi-drugs-test

"Agassi like Clemens" : Navratilova's unjust parrallel

A few days ago, Martina Navratilova severely reacted to Agassi's admission of taking crystal meth in 1997. So much so as to draw a comparison between Andre Agassi and Roger Clemens, former baseball glory now cited in the famous Mitchell Report on "Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball".

Quote : "Not as much shock that he did it as shock he lied about it and didn't own up to it. He's up there with Roger Clemens"

This scathing comparison received much media attention. But the parallel lacks accuracy in two outstanding aspects.

The Mitchell Report alleges that Roger Clemens took steroïds and growth hormons in 1998, 2000 and 2001 (the baseball star later denied these allegations).

• Crystal meth is clearly distinct from steroïds and growth hormons in terms of performance-enhancing effects. They can't be put on a par. 

• The use of crystal meth in a limited time span doesn't support the theory of "programmed doping" unlike what is suspected in Clemens' case. 

In addition to that, high suspicions on Clemens have yet to be confirmed as a result of a legal procedure.

References

Navratilova "shocked" by Agassi's disclosure : http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4606254
Mitchell report findings : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Report_(baseball)#Reactions
Clemens denies taking steroïds and hormon growth : http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3160063

Should Agassi be stripped of his Grand Slam titles?

Should Agassi be stripped of his Grand Slam Titles ? The question is currently raised by many tennis lovers, from plain amateurs to top-level stakeholders. French former pro Jean-Louis Haillet was one on the first commentators who backed up this retroactive form of punishment. He argued that Grand Slam runners-up who lost to Agassi were cheated and should now get back what was stolen from them (including Frenchman Arnaud Clément, who lost to Andre Agassi in AO 2001).

For such a point to be acceptable,  we have to agree on three things :

- Firstly : the timeline of Agassi's confessed drug-taking has to match that of his Grand Slam victories. Agassi admitted taking crystal meth in the year 1997 and speed as a fledgling tennis player, prior to 1986. These two periods do not match the timeline of Agassi's Grand Slam victories (1992, 1994, 1995, then 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003). Especially considering the 1995-1999 Grand Slam gap.

Let's say suspicion now dwells on Agassi's legitimate GS victories : are speculations enough grounds to strip Agassi  of his Grand Slams ?

- Secondly : according to tennis regulation, using crystal meth is cheating. It's a fact. But assuming Agassi took crystal meth over many years, can a prolonged use of this drug keep enhancing performances ? What are the addiction mechanisms and secondary effects of this substance ?

- Thirdly : why not, after all, taking a radical course of action and rewrite tennis history. Just to set an example and make things straight... Creating this precedent, it becomes necessary to go back in time and investigate other cases involving former players  :

• John McEnroe admitted he received steroïds "as painkillers"  (prednisone) for 6 years, claiming that he was unaware of the real nature of these drugs. Still, steroïds are classified as very powerful performance-enhancing drugs. Should McEnroe be provisionnally stripped of his GS crowns ?

• Late Australian Open champion Vitas Gerulatis admitted receiving treatment for drug-abuse (cocaïne) in the early 1980's. He died in 1994.  

• 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash revealed that he used marijuana and later cocaïne and ecstasy  in his dramatic autobiography (along with a long-lasting depression).
  
  
• 1983 French Open champion Yannick Noah declared in 1981 he smoked marijuana before matches. 

What course of actions should be taken against these four high-profile tennis players ?

As a matter of fact, Agassi's drug use hides many unsolved cases in tennis. It'd be only fair for him to share responsability with some of his peers.

References
Jean-Louis Haillet : "He should be stripped of GS titles" : http://www.rmc.fr/edito/sport/93094/haillet-on-devrait-lui-retirer-des-titres-du-grand-chelem/
McEnroe and Steroïds : http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=1708773
Gerulaitis and cocaïne : http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/231926/Vitas-Gerulaitis
Cash, Noah about marijuana and drugs : http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/06/19/1023864457481.html

Another language abuse in Agassi "scandal"

As I wrote in previous posts, newspapers like the seamy side of stories. Especially when they are bits of juicy details in them. Trumping-up facts isn't much when it comes down to making good headlines. French weekly "le Nouvel Observateur" was caught red-handed  in a article with the following headline  : "Agassi used crystal meth for years". Then contradicting itself  : "Agassi admitted taking crystal meths in 1997"

Ref : "le Nouvel Observateur" http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/depeches/culture/20091031.FAP0974/agassi_reconnait_avoir_consomme_des_metamphetamines_pen.html

Agassi "Open" Support Group on Facebook : join us!

Agassi Open Support Group is now on Facebook : join us to leave comments, react, meet friends and/or support Andre Agassi.

Agassi Support Group

Agassi's "open" media chase : why howling with wolves ?

Rushing into the breach created by Mr Agassi's admittance of drug use (only at specified times of his career), many newspapers, blogs and TV channels have stepped up their media coverage of the case.

Once more, emotion and concussion are taking over rationale. It was to be expected.

The most outstanding example is that Mr Ander Agassi is now taking blame for an "erra" of alleged leniency from the ATP, the professional tennis governing body.

Geneva daily "la Tribune de Genève" (see link below) claims that "Agassi's revelations exemplify abuses of long-gone days". On what grounds drug use is no longer a hot topic in tennis and professional sports ?

To be fair -and that will be the focus of a later post- it's debatable whether Mr Andre Agassi's drug use was condoned BECAUSE he was a high-profile tennis player. Second question is : why Andre Agassi is unearthing this fact now, given the fact that he took advantage of it to resurrect as a tennis player ?

Now, it's interesting to point out the fact that Agassi's "duty" towards posterity is not the same as that of an average tennis player. Hence the paramount media attention he receives. That being said, Agassi does not deserve to be perceived as THE only shameful case of his sport.

Fairer media treatment should give him credit for risking more than being stripped of his Grand Slam Titles : because his dignity is at stake. Why howling with wolves ?

La Tribune de Genève, "Les aveux d’Agassi trahissent les abus d’une époque révolue" : http://www.tdg.ch/actu/sports/aveux-agassi-trahissent-abus-epoque-revolue-2009-10-30

After Crystal Meth, Agassi exceeds "Speed" limits ?

If  Agassi's previous revelations on crystal meth use were harmful, those regarding a (unwilling) speed consuming incident are at least as damaging for Agassi's image. But as we enter another week (at least) of turbulence with this new secret disclosed, we have to be cautious (again) on the timeline of events.

The extract from Agassi's autobiography relating this incident exposes the fact that Agassi took Excedrin (a caffeine-loaded substance) many times as a youth and that his father once coaxed him into taking a "tiny, white, round pill" believed to be amphetamine, when he was fifteen. The scene seemingly took place prior to the finals of a teenage competition near Chicago where Agassi won the singles and doubles.

Ref : http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Sport/Story/STIStory_449338.html

Accusations on whether to strip Agassi from his titles have recurred over the past few days. This new spin on Agassi's career might furher burden his case and fuel the debate.

Still, the timeline is very important on assessing whether this claim is legitimate. One fact is that the related incident didn't happen after Agassi turned pro in 1986 : there is no trace of him taking part into an ATP event in Chicago throughout his career. See : http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Ag/A/Andre-Agassi.aspx?t=pa&y=0&m=s&e=0#

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Agassi's crystal meth trip : from a year to a decade?

Agassi's confession that he took crystal meth at a time his career hit rock bottom raised many questions in the media recently.

Even though the timeline of his confessed drug-taking spans one year only (1997), some newspapers extended it to "many years", thus casting doubt on Agassi's legitimate results during his career as a tennis player. Some worded in such a fashion as to make believe it was a regular habit throughout his career.

This is the case of French national newspaper "Le Figaro" (see below) headlining : "Agassi admits to drug-use during his career".

Why no sticking to the fact  ? 1997 is one.

French article taken from Le Figaro : http://www.lefigaro.fr/tennis/2009/10/28/02004-20091028ARTFIG00242-andre-agassi-admet-s-etre-drogue-durant-sa-carriere-.php

Agassi "open" support group : why this blog ?

Following the publication of Mr Agassi's autobiography "Open", a mediatic lynching started, soon followed by a general public outcry. Condemnations of Mr Agassi's revelations flowed from all sides. The sport's arena and the columns of wide-audience newspapers blasted Mr Agassi's past actions. A near to slanderous media campaign thus depicted Mr Andre Agassi as a "shameful" individual.  

This blog is dedicated to restoring some media balance in the way Mr Agassi  is treated, in a distanced and neutral manner.

A blog-editor (French, sorry, my English is rusty) for many years now,  I've studied the way internet has been sensasionalizing media coverage, much to the detriment of ethics and truth.            

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