Andre Agassi: "I've Never Felt So Alive" After Snorting Crystal Meth
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Tennis superstar Andre Agassi writes in his new book that his assistant "Slim" was the person who introduced him to crystal meth, dumping a small pile of powder on the coffee table, according to the Times of London Web site.
"I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've just crossed," Agassi writes.
But one of the most surprising admissions is the tennis legend's reaction after using the highly addictive drug.
"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. 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."
Agassi's upcoming autobiography, "Open: An Autobiography," contains an admission that he used crystal meth in 1997 and lied to tennis authorities when he failed a drug test — a result that was thrown out after he said he "unwittingly" took the substance.
Among the most successful — and, without a doubt, one of the most popular — tennis players in history, Agassi drew attention not just for his play, but also for his outfits, his hairstyles and his relationships with women, including a failed marriage to actress Brooke Shields.
Agassi's first major championship came at Wimbledon in 1992, and he won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. But by late 1997, he dropped to No. 141 in the rankings, and he was playing in tennis' equivalent of the minor leagues.
He resuscitated his career in 1998, making the biggest one-year jump into the top 10 in the history of the ATP rankings. The next season, he won the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, then added a second career U.S. Open title en route to finishing 1999 at No. 1.
In a posting on People's Web site, Agassi says he "was worried for a moment, but not for long," about how fans would react if they found out he used drugs.
"I wore my heart on my sleeve and my emotions were always written on my face. I was actually excited about telling the world the whole story," Agassi says.
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October 28, 2009 - Andre Agassi Admits Using Crystal Meth in Memoir