Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

Open is an autobiography elucidating Andre Agassi's hatred for the game. A game that earned him accolades. While reading and even after completing this book, I wondered if he could top the charts in something he hated, what if he did something he loved! The memoir throws light on his troubled relationship with his father, and his mother who wasn't very involved. The vigorous training regime that he underwent and detested the most. This marvelous book is only about Andre coming out as a human being and his inner battles. It takes courage to acknowledge and express it openly. 

Many of us do things even if we do not love them. Not only that, some of us ace it. Perhaps living in defeat is unacceptable and ace-ing is the only option left. Andre agrees that he wanted to end it all but at the same time, he did not. Not only that but he wanted to end it by winning. The reader can easily figure out the love-and-hate relationship that Andre has with his father and the game of tennis. 

His state of mind was very much like his much talked about hair-do. From vibrant colors in the shades of pink to mohawk and finally clean shave. His hair-dos indicated his inner battles, his way of dealing with his inner struggles, or his response to the chaos. It could be either of these or something else. His clean shave declared him coming out of all as a winner.  

Two best things that happened to him due to this game: (a) he found a surrogate father in his trainer, Gil Reyes, and (b) a wonderful partner to whom he is married. 



‘Somewhere up there is a star with your name on it. I might not be able to help you find it, but I’ve got pretty strong shoulders, and you can stand on my shoulders while you’re looking for that star. You hear? For as long as you want. Stand on my shoulders and reach, man. Reach.’ - Gil to Andre.

My learnings:

1) Never victimize yourself.
2) If you do not do what you love then love what you do.
3) It is okay to have ups and downs, and at times only downs - keep focus and hit harder4) You are a human first, and then comes everything else.
5) We are evolving - change is the only constant. 

A must-read book about a man's journey searching for himself, his ups and downs, and his survival. 
I am going to read it again, for sure. 

Happy Reading, 
Trupti. 



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