http://news.bbc.co.uk/spo...329193.stm

American Andre Agassi has admitted in his new autobiography he lied to tennis authorities about his use of crystal methamphetamine to escape a ban.

Eight-time grand slam winner Agassi, who retired in 2006, said he used the drug in 1997 with ex-assistant 'Slim'.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is said to be considering a response to Agassi's revelations.

"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness," Agassi writes about the first time he used crystal meth.

"Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table," writes Agassi in his book, which the Times are serialising.

"He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some.

"Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful - and I've never felt such energy."

Crystal meth, which looks like small ice crystals, is a very powerful and addictive form of the stimulant speed, which can be eaten, inhaled through the nose or injected.

Agassi recounts in the book, which is called 'Open', being introduced to the drug in 1997, by his one-time assistant.

The 39-year-old revealed he failed a drugs test that year but escaped a ban by saying his use was accidental.
I say Slim, whom I've since fired, is a known drug user, and that he often spikes his sodas with meth - which is true
Andre Agassi


Agassi later writes he received a call from a doctor working for the ATP in the autumn of 1997 to inform him that he had failed a drugs test.

The Las Vegas-born American says he wrote a letter to the ATP to argue the use was accidental, blaming his former assistant Slim.

"My name, my career, everything is now on the line. Whatever I've achieved, whatever I've worked for, might soon mean nothing," Agassi writes.

"Days later I sit in a hard-backed chair, a legal pad in my lap, and write a letter to the ATP. It's filled with lies interwoven with bits of truth.

"I say Slim, whom I've since fired, is a known drug user, and that he often spikes his sodas with meth - which is true. Then I come to the central lie of the letter.

"I say that recently I drank accidentally from one of Slim's spiked sodas, unwittingly ingesting his drugs. I ask for understanding and leniency and hastily sign it: Sincerely.

"I feel ashamed, of course. I promise myself that this lie is the end of it."

Agassi writes the ATP reviewed his case and while he faced a minimum three-month ban, decided to believe his account and the case was withdrawn.

"This is sure to severely tarnish the reputation of one of the great champions," said BBC 5 live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend.

"I think it will have underlying implications for the sport in terms of the suspicion about some of the athletes and whether or not they are on drugs.

"The fact that Agassi lied and the authorities believed him has enormous repercussions. How many other cases may there have been like this?"
[Edited 10/28/09 4:53am]
[Edited 10/28/09 4:55am]

oops...i think i put this in the wrong thread

anyway, it does not really change my opinion of Andre

he had it under control and i bet he never used it before a match

tried that shit once.....and he is right - amazing feeling - amazing!

I dunno. It's not shocking Andre used something. Nothing would shock me about Andre.

But what gets me is he tested positive and the ATP did nothing.

Martina Hingis was banned for two years after testing positive for cocaine, which she has repeatedly denied taking.

Richard Gasquet was nearly banned for testing positive for traces of cocaine but defended himself by saying some girl kissed him at a club!

Andre was too big of a "draw" to ban, I guess.

I still like Andre. He's done a lot for kids with his charity. I liked him as a player, and still do. But if he tested positive, well...other players have been reprimanded so...

Moving from P&R to GD ~ Mach

if u gotta be banging babs streisand, u had to be on sumthin to get u through it

I held Andre Agassi in high regard, and still do. He made some mistakes but has owned up to them.

Have y'all ever heard the story of how he courted Steffi Graf? It is so cool!

He was on his comeback, in the early stages of it, when he became smitten with her. He asked her out but she refused. She wanted nothing to do with him. I believe this was at Wimbeldon.

One of the traditions at Wimbeldon is the day after the last match, there's a big, formal party. The highlight of the party is a dance between the Gentlemen's and Ladies' champions.

Steffi Graf was at the top of her game, and Agassi figured she'd win the tournament again next year. So decided that he would win it, too. That way, Graf would HAVE to dance with him.

And that's just what he did. And that's just what happened. And they lived happily ever after.

Awesome!

So that explains why he left fine-as-hell Brooke Shields for Steffi Graf - it was the damn meth. Yeesh! Even Steve Phillips wouldn't do that.
[Edited 10/28/09 6:47am]

Gasquet apparently had such a small trace it was the size of half a grain of sand. Quite possible he picked it up from a kiss. That's why it was only a 2 month ban. It is worrying though knowing that the ATP might shove these things under the carpet, although Agassi'es excuse at the time could have been believeable. I don't believe Martina Hingis is a drug user. Wasn't she fighting this in court? She's due to start appearing in exhibition matches soon last I heard.

I think it's great Agassi comes out of the closet about this. He matured through the years. I didn't like him at first but cried when he played his last match and lost against Nadal at Wimbie in 2007. I think he and Steffi make a great couple and what a nice story about how he got to dance with her.

I've lost all respect for him.

so was he a user or did he do it once?

Sounds like he was an occasional abuser -- not necessarily an addict. Not that that makes things "good," but it may be important we don't see all of his accomplishments as the product of wired binges. I'm certain it was his talent, not episodes of recreational drug use, that carried his career.

Still, the ATP should be taken to task about why it so casually dismissed his positive test. And if a loss of some respect is the consequence Agassi has to endure now after having skirted earlier repercussions, seems fair to me. I have to give him some credit, though, for being big enough to face this all.
[Edited 10/28/09 16:57pm]

uPtoWnNY said:

I think Brooke was a mess. She also probably took a few hours to get her makeup and hair did. And Graf used to be pretty hot, in my opinion.

Kids....dont try meth.....that means you King.

japanrocks said:

I think so too...her body was un-fucking-real...she could of had Shreks head sitting on those shoulders, I still would of hit it...

roodboi said:

for real

she had legs for days

Lammastide said:

yeah I think he messed up and will take some heat, but I agree the ATP deserves more blame.

I also think that this happened at a time when Agassi's career was at an all time low, so I doubt any of his achievements could be attributed to drug use--quite the opposite, I think.

It's not like steroids, it's a recreational thing, and most likely distracted from tennis instead of intensifying his physical & mental dedication.

japanrocks said:

You guys are.....

Looks like he's pulling a Whitney and blaming his assistant more so than taking responsibility for his own addiction. I hate that shit. If you used, what difference does it make that you got it from your assistant? I'm sure that's not the whole story.

I was more suprised at the fact that he wore a hairpiece, than his drug use.

SCNDLS said:

he has a lot of kids looking up to him and he started his own tennis camp in Vegas, plus his own line of gyms and it kinda makes more sense for him to say that

he also does not strike me as an addict - just more of a general user

the hangover alone was probably enough to make him think twice about doing meth on a regular basis