Agassi Used Crystal Meth, According To Report

Andre Agassi used crystal meth in 1997 and will describe the experience in his forthcoming autobiography, according to a publicist at Knopf, which is publishing the book on Nov. 9.

The admission will also appear in excerpts of the book – entitled “Open” – (ORDER IT NOW RIGHT HERE) that are scheduled to appear in two magazines, Sports Illustrated and People, later this week.

“Those excerpts contain revelations about Andre’s use of crystal meth when he was a tennis player,” said Paul Bogaards, director of media relations at Knopf, a division of Random House.

The Australian newspaper in Australia excerpts the book and Agassi’s positive ATP Tour drug test and how he escaped a three-month suspension here – http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,26271190-601,00.html

The information was first made public on Tuesday morning via the Twitter feed of Richard Deitsch, a writer for Sports Illustrated.

“FYI: There’s an off-the-charts book excerpt from Andre Agassi in the forthcoming SI: He admits to taking crystal meth during his career,” said the message, posted at 10:36 a.m. and apparently removed shortly thereafter.

One of the most beloved players in the annals of the U.S. Open, Agassi retired in 2006 after 20 years in professional tennis, having won eight Grand Slam championships, 60 singles titles, and a total of $31 million. His career record was 870-274. The year 1997, however, was a low point in Agassi’s career, when a wrist injury sidelined him for much of the season and his world ranking slipped to 141.

Agassi, 39, often made news for his brash style and high-profile romantic relationships. He is married to tennis great Steffi Graf, and they have two children. He is also an acclaimed philanthropist whose school in Las Vegas for underprivileged kids has become a national model.

In writing the book, Agassi worked closely with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer J.R. Moehringer, author of “The Tender Bar.”