Hello,
I don't have a question but a statement.

Thank you for being honest and true to yourself. So many people are quick to judge others which is a shame to me. We are all human.
Life is about learning and growing and if we are able to help someone along the way then all the better. You have done all of those things.
You are a inspiration to stand strong!
Thanks for being you. Lori Denise

Did your career exceed your expectations or did it not live up to them in any way, shape or form?

since Andre is in the process of "reconciling his past with himself" would he consider it fair to hold on to his titles after admiting to drug use? This is a shame Andre, zillions of young people all over the world look up to you, you have dashed many dreams.

Just had the pleasure or watching Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras compete in Macau live, I live in Hong Kong. I also have a son who is in competitive tennis in Hong Kong. My question is how does one compete against kids who are programmed like Agassi by their parents?? The one item I would like to note is that Agassi only cheated himself with his drug use; but many of these other "programmed" children cheat their peers with incorrect line calls and bad sportsmanship. All this just to evade abuse after a lost match.

Does Andre have any ideas on how ALL sports can be played by kids for kids and on a fair stage??

Andre, I was a fan since 1990 and you were the reason I started picking up a tennis racquet in the first place. Do you really hate tennis? I felt honestly hurt that you would say that...

Hi Andrei,

Which was worse for your career: marrying Brooke Shields, Crystal Meth milkshakes, or that coffee advert?

Warm regards,

Will Jones

If I understand him correctly, he hated the sport that helped him achieve fame and fortune (earning over $100 Million in his career). How many people actually love their jobs? If it weren't for his father and tennis, he probably would have ended up like most Americans, struggling to make ends meet and in debt. Hard to feel sorry for him. If he hated tennis so much, why didn't he quit when he became an adult after his first $10 Million? There are a lot of inconsistencies with what he is saying.

Since it was your father who pressed you into tennis, did you ever consider running away to make your own way? Or did you never really get a chance to think about what sort of life you wanted?

How did steffi graff and your feel about you making these revelations in your autobiography?

Hi,

With all my admiraton for Andre Aghasi, I think now that he is off Tennis courts, and considering his age, there'll never be a come back, he is trying to compensate for lack of "tennis income" by publicising his book which to my belief cannot be true. You mean to say with all that fame and always winning status, all eyes on him, nobody would've checked. Comeon!
Mass has a tendency to go on admiring the one they think they've brought up, but the judges, and experts?
Wish him all the luck though, it is very difficult to cut down on expenses.
Sincerely
Nadereh Azimi
Paris – France

Dear Andre,

Having had the privilege of watching you live at Wimbledon, live in the U.S Open 2002 Final, literally bumping into you in the player's lounge moments before you went on to beat Baghdatis in 2006 and following your steps to train at the Bollettieri Academy it's safe to say that you have always inspired me with your hard work on and off the court.

It takes a strong, brave man to admit his wrongs and while some say these confessions were made to sell books, I believe that coming clean about the things many people didn't know about humanizes you all the more.

Being a professional athlete is an almighty privilege and
taking drugs as a professional is a very serious offense. It's something that should never be condoned if proven the intent was to enhance performance. However, confessing at this point in time when many would have chosen to keep quiet and enjoyed the spoils of their career is very admirable indeed and confirms you are the man I thought you were.

Other players have bemoaned the timing and the necessity of these revelations but I think it's important for everyone to know the real man, not the image the various sponsors and associations choose to project. As imperfect creatures, we all make mistakes, this is what being human is all about. However, it takes a real men to admit when they are wrong and I for one respect you getting this all of your chest.

My question to you is, how do you now feel with everything out in the open?

I am not at all surprise about the news, Most American athletes are cheats, no doubt about it, then you try to blame other nation's athletes as cheaters to disguise what you really are. paper tigers!

Why did you come out with this information? Would it not have been better to keep it to yourself or just share it with your wife?

Are you Armenian?

It takes a lot of courage to come out with such kind of truth. Bravo.

When ever i watch a teenage tenis player beat a veteran in the game -which happens very often lately- i simply wonder if tenis is more strength than skills. Mr Agassi, is it?

Dear Andre,

I am older than you in age but I have always been a great fan of you in the court and out of it. I did watch most of your matches and enjoyed your excelling at all of them.

However, your recent revelations have not shocked me nor have they altered my admoration for you.

Now that you revealed all your frustration and ups and downs in your life, you better put them behind you and carry on in many other areas which might be as if not more rewarding than your sport limelight.

My family and I are a great fan of yours and will always be. please take good care of yourself and your beautiful family.

With love from our inner heart.

God bless you Andre.

Three things I try to live by, and teach my children: Be yourself, there is nothing good that comes from pretending to be someone you aren't; Be honest, lying may help in the short term but almost always turns out badly later; and, most important, EVERYONE screws up from time to time. This whole episode illustrates all of that, especially the third point. Even our heroes and role models are human, and they WILL make mistakes. What we should look at is not the mistakes themselves, but how they are dealt with.

Question for Andre Agassi:

Since I assume his conscience made him reveal his use of drugs (which fact he hid till he wrote "Open", which of these issues will prick his conscience the most:

1. Shattering the dreams of many youth who looked up to him as a role model by admitting that he is after all a "liar and drug abuser"

or

2. Admitting to wrong-doing after expiration of "statutes of limitation" wherein he cannot be prosecuted for committing a crime?

Hi Andre,

I've been playing tennis for 30 years–now in my early 40s. I didn't follow the pros until recently, so I missed a lot of your tournaments.

We have something in common: a few big lies that we wish we never told. I admire you for getting them out–I haven't. The price of keeping them in is much higher than any trophy or prize money. Crystal meth doesn't enhance ANYTHING, and I believe that you had to work much harder to stay in the game.

Marat Safin (a player I really like) has a point, but a limited one. If it was only '97 (you won no titles, right?), talk to the ATP–work out something where a fine is used to make things even better–be it used for keeping kids off drugs, or overbearing parents from pushing their kids to extremes. DON'T give back any of your titles–you earned them.

I'm happy for you that you got it all out.

You did the right thing.

Personally,i admire Agassi a lot and also think he is a great guy, even for the fact thet he openly admits the very secrets that eat him up.He is only human and by default yearns for the inner peace we all crave and deserve.
In as much as i salute his courage,and life operates on principles,he has to pay if the law finds him wanting.

Dear Andre....Happiness to you, and to each and every member of your family. Allow me to hasten to congratulate you on your acheivements (in the true meaning of the word) and at the same time let me rush to say: "Let the past be past and allow the past to be entered into the cocoon of history."

What matters is NOW; your kindness and heroism in thinking of the fallen and the underprivileged, those struggling fellow human beings who find it a challenge to exist and whom you have aided many a times without making it public.

Esteems to you and continued good health to every individual in your honored family....especially your Olympian father.

Mehr Kalami...........Oklahoma
mehrkalami@gmail.com

1st. Everyone makes mistakes in life. Most of the time the worst hit are the loved ones around you. How did Ms. Graf take it. Was your revelation discussed prior to publishing.

2nd you are and will be an idol for most of us who love the sport. Did you really have to publish the story?

3rd can you discuss with your management team to turn this around as an eye opener for kids not to do drugs asthe way this has been reported might encourage people to do dugs if they want to succeed in anything they do in life

wish u all the best

I just finished reading your book, but you don't mention much about current players. What are your thoughts on current players Nadal, Federer, and Murray? I have never heard you speak much about the Williams Sisters, do you have any particular thoughts about them?

As a child, teen and young adult, what did you dream about doing but felt you couldn't? Did you ever imagine yourself doing something else you were passionate about inside but felt powerless to achieve? How close did you get to it?
PS – I really respect the honesty and accountibility you have shown to the world by letting go of the charade and beginning your life with a clean slate

Do you consider returning the prize money you've won while you where under the influence of forbidden substances? Because, in all fairness, after admitting you've lied to tennis’ governing body about that you are just a cheat and not a true sportsman. Instead of a tennis hero you've become a disgrace for the sport.

Hi Andre, I paid a high price for several years now for standing by you. Someday maybe we will meet and I will explain. I support your truthfulness. Are you a born-again Christian?

I am always amazed by the stories Junkies come up with to make they look not as bad as they are. And to shift the blame for their actions. In this case to your father. I find all this whining to be part of a act to sell a book. Your actions show you were just a immature ,cry baby, and way spoiled. I have zero sympathy for you. A real mature man would be too ashamed to go public with all this garbage.

Hi Andre,
Thanks to you, i was inspired to pick up the game of tennis as junior – i later went on to earn a tennis scholarship in college. I have followed your career religiously both on and off the courts, and to date, you remain a source of inspiration to me. However, i must admit that your recent revelation – on doping – makes me wonder if you were not being economical with the truth, especially when one takes into cognizance the fact that the ATP needed you more than you needed them.

My question to you is this: How do you plan on going about addressing some of the issues raised by your fellow professionals such as Marat Safin? I am also certain that you must have lost some form of respect from top players on tour – how do plan on addressing some of their doubts, especially as it pertains your performances in the latter years of your career.

Finally, bearing in mind that i am 29 years old, is it still possible for me to develop an "Agassi like" backhand? because it appears to be the only missing link in my game!

Long Live ANDRE!

i have the deepest respect and admiration for Andre Agassi, his introspection, his epiphany, and the way he turned his life around, his tennis renaissance, his image-changing head shave, his philanthropic endeavors, and his current life with the wonderful Steffi Graf. Nothing is sweeter than a lie made good after an internal struggle. The lotus is the more beautiful for emerging from pond sludge. I am looking forward to reading his book. This man is an inspiration.

Andre, I am from El Salvador and the only professional golfer from this country. I have been a fan of yours since I was a kid admiring your heart and perseverence to come out on top even in the hardest moments. Your "never give up" attitude has helped me in my professional carrer. As your fan I am happy to see that you are happy with your life and with who you've become. All the best!

Hi Andre,

I know you use a rubber band on your tennis racquet for a vibration dampener. Have you tried the one made by Own the Zone? If so can you tell the difference? Thanks.

Dear Andre,

I am a huge tennis (and Roger Federer) fan and have come to admire your commitment to the sport and your personality and work off-court. My question is, since this life brought you emptiness and depression, which moments do you cherish the most from your tennis career, on and off the court? Have you had times where you relied on fame to be your happiness in life?

An admirer,

Elwin Koopmans from The Netherlands

We support Agassi. He may have had an organized stalking predator, a prolific problem in our society. MO Representative Jim Guest is apprised of the crime. Contacting Rep. Guest would be a beneficial source of information for him or anyone who cares about Democracy.

Hi Andre,,,
what do you think about the great advice Safin has given ?? i think he got it all right... no ??

Andre:

I was surprised of your sponsorship change late in your career. Nike had been you since the start and I always thought that the day you would of retired, they would of done a big farewell tour or something.

Was there a particular reason for the change in sponshorpship?

You took high risk in your admission, but was that for more – either money or accolades, post-retirement ? What consequence should anyone else, who did what you did, be awarded ? What lessons should youngsters take from you – that you do what you please, and talk about it, and you profit for longer ?

Was Agassi's apparent the joy of winning authentic?
Part of my joy of watching tennis is the vicarious emotions I feel when
my favorite players win or lose. NOW, when I see clips of Agassi winning
a grand slam or an other tournament I feel sorrow. I am enjoying the
Paris 1000 tournament as I write.

Elizabeth

If you were sincere now, should you not submit yourself to punishment ?

Hi Andre,

I´m a big fun of yours. Why did you decide to come out clean? You have all my support.

Chris

What effect do you think your revelations about drug use and the lack of ATP action will have on the game today? Especially in regards to the integrity of leadership and anti doping measures that are in place,

I commend Adre Agassi for having the guts to come clean on previous usage of drugs. By doing so he has made it clear super star athletes are just as tempted by artificial "highs" as an average joe. Artificial highs do not make the problem(s) go away rather it makes you think they will.
Mr Agassi should be commended for over coming this vice and having the balls to talk about it in public.
More athletes should do what Mr Agassi has disclosed. But of course they won't..

Dear Ande.
I am one of your Fans. I have followed your carreer since you were a Junior. Your Admission that you have won many important games and a lot of money while taking drugs dissappointed me. I will not give you any clue what I think you should do. Give back the money and the medals. I leave that to your conscience, the same way you decided to write that book. However I stil ladmire you ( I am 85 years old and have played a lot of Tennis ). for what you have contributed to Tennis and to make this world a better place to live in.

Always admired you....and still do. Depression can lead to many mistakes, some far worst than hurting yourself.
What would you say to your children should they want to follow in the steps of their illustrious parents?
Erik

Hi Andre... my question is:

I think fans will love you even more, not less, for being upfront with your true story. They have watched you discover your own strength on and off the court. And now, when you reveal your intimate secrets, they / we realise that you're not just an inspiring hero but a human being as well, someone capable of being vulnerable to bad judgment. This gives us permission accept ourselves for who we truly are, the good with the bad, the hero with the setbacks, so that we embrace and celebrate ALL of our lives.

not a question after all... but gratitude
Sergio

About you're addiction to drugs... have you ever won a match or a title thanks to this drugs?

A question for Agassi.

How do we know that you telling the truth now.
You had claimed that you were telling the truth when you said you accidentally drank a spiked drink. How do we know that you are doing all this to make some more money?

Why did u deem it fit to reveal your past misdeeds now,after winning majors and prize money,knowing fully well that this would definitely taint the sport of tennis.Are you thinking of handing back your titles and forfeiting your prize money over the years.And in your honest opinion,how do you think this can of situation can be avoided in future.

I have not read your Bio, just saw 60 minutes last Sunday. I can perceive that your main influence and pressure came from your father. Did you feel enclose in his desires, would you consider other famous and accomplish sport people to be in the same position right now. For example, Tiger Woods?
By the way, I am from HONDURAS. IT WAS NOT A COUP.

Watched your career from the beginning and watched you develop into one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Sorry to hear you hated the game that gave so much pleasure to your fans. It's interesting that so many parents push their children to do things they don't really want to do but you did achieve great success in spite of it. Hopefully, your revelations will make parents more aware of what they are doing to their children.

Sorry you had to disappoint your fans by coming clean with the drugs. I don't understand why celebrities feel it necessary to unload their past misakes. We all make them and I believe, they should be kept to themselves. No one wants their heroes vilified. But now that the truth is out, I wish you well. You are still an inspiration to many. And I'm sure you didn't do it for the money.

Hello,
I would like to know how you felt when other athletes such as Marion Jones was stripped of her medals when you knew you were keeping such a secret yourself?

Do you think it would be fair that your titles get taken away from you as well?

Thank you

Dear Andre,

I have always been a fan of yours and I remember spending hours in front of the TV enjoying the fantastic moments of tennis your matches always were. I was ecstatic with joy when you won and frustrated when you lost. I looked up to you as a teenager for the model of humility, fair play and self control you always were compared to other players.

I would like you to know that the fact that you came out with the truth only makes me admire you more. We all make mistakes. The only difference is some people admit to it. Thank you for showing your fans and the public in general that it is always better to tell the truth and stand up to the consequences.

All the best for you and your family.

Andre, all these truth could have gone uncovered forever. Why did you decide to "come clean", now?

Hello Andre,

Many have wondered about your motives.
It's probably fair to say that your life has been a bit beyond the norm.
Did you made these revelations to show that your a more normal than
the image hoisted on a pedestal by so many in the media and on Madison Avenue, ect.?

In light of how much good you have done; your Charitable Foundation, the College Preparatory Academy,ect,ect,ect. Don´t you that maybe your being a little too tough on yourself?

In the end, being so honest with yourself and the world around you should be a good thing
and a source of strength.

Your book reminds me a little bit of Sammy Davis Jr´s book "Yes, I Can". An excellent read.

As you said in you video with Nick Bollettieri:

"Life is God´s gift to us, what we do with it is our Gift to Him."

I like to think that "Open: An Autobiography" will be considered
one of your best gifts to us, right up there with the 1992 Wimbledon Victory.

"Every day is a new opportunity to do good"....I-Ching

"Many blossoms and few fruits,
this is the work of Heaven,
Many words and few deeds,
this is the fault of men".

You have always been an inspiration to many, including yours truly, and will continue to be so.

wishing you, your family and loved ones the best,

Enrique

You were one of my idols – one more down the drain.

My question is:

Aside from competitive play, you seem to play for recreation or charity a fair amount too. Do you feel the same resentment toward your recreational and charity tennis as you felt during your pro career?

Hi from a fan from Sweden. 2 questions:

1) How come you and Steffi never played much mixed doubles after retiring as a fun think. That would have been great for the sport and fans.

2) What is your diet. Do you eat healthy?

Andre i knew you before roger federer and i hold you as a respectable guy.thank you being honest.i have been wondering though,did you discuss it with your wife(steffi)? And if you did,what was her reaction considering she is legend in the game.

You worked damn hard to get where you are, that’s all that matters. Of course you smoked some or did some things that you should have not done maybe, but at the end of the day you are a good man and I hope that people can see that. We are all doing things that are not always viewed as good, but it all depends on your perspective. Never let other peoples opinion dictate your life, it is never too late to breath.

Ben

Andre, It's difficult to have any sympathy for other people's reasons to act the way they do, it's even more difficult when someone, we all consider to be successful and surrounded by luxuries and beautiful women, is the one sharing his reasons. But we're only human and as much as I would like to make noises about it, it all comes down to that, we all make mistakes regarless of everything else. To me, you were the last boy scout, I admired you from the very beginning and felt let down when I read the news about the book, still, life goes on. My only question is, what the hell happened at the 1991 Roland Garros Final!!!? Take care.

Dear Andre,

Im an athlete and I cannot believe you hated the sport. You have a lot of talent but if you hated the sport you would never have reached that level. Why would you play until the age of 30 after earning so much money if you hated the sport? Im not shocked about your statement regarding drugs but hating the sport is insulting the ones who love it and who will never reach your level.

I prefer you as a champion, even if the book makes you earn 1 trillion dollars, I'd rather die like an hero than I say I hated the sport to which I dedicated all my youth, teenage years and LIFE! Unless you really mean what you say but it deserves more in depth explanation.

Best of luck,
Mike

So, does this admission mean Mr AA.. shall hand back all of the tiltels etc he won... after all he has proven himself to be the same as any disgraced athlete caught doing illegal drugs ..albeit steroids et al... I am sick of soothing the fevered head of such individuals who have had absolute privelges...The bottom line is .. They/ he cheats!!!

Andre:
Hello! Let´s put it this way: I don´t think you weren´t unaware at all of what you were doing when you decided to come out in the open, considering, first, your age, at which you´ve seen and felt what the world is like. And I think you´ve really been around due to your sports star and R&F condition and also during so many lasting years.

So, now that you´ve let the world know, you can get your best learnings on how people react to your decision to free your inner monsters. The frustrated, aggressive & never growing, the ones that don´t care and write to mock or have fun in doing so, and the kind that try to understand you inner feelings and personal dignity.

I´ve not read your book but I´ve followed your career like many other tennis and other sports personalities, since I like sports. I was impressed by your rock ´n roll tennis, despite your then ups and downs, eventual mediatic show and lack of mental consistency. But real impression you made by climbing back up to #1, despite of what you now decided to share with all of us. I now understand your comeback mounted on never stopping fight (I also now understand your ability to respond so well on a baseline position) even somehow, out of age, your emotional comments at all times, before and after the games.

Including your tears. But, these were of pitty, of anger and of your terrible inner suffering of what life had made you become. Of course, yourself included.

And now, allow me to congratulate you, not only you became what you are NOW, DESPITE ALL you had to go through, DESPITE your early labeling, DESPITE meth, but you let yourself be YOURSELF THIS TIME. That´s your inner championship match that you already won. Your double partners, Steffi and son were an are your best ever partners against any rival.

Thanking you for having the guts to share and so learning to live with your demons, allow me to congratulate you. You´re about to win your best ever match: Not allowing anything to ever run over what you proved to be so important to you: Your value as a person and your dignity.

Best luck

Are you bald?

You don't owe anybody anything so don't read too much into your critics.

And good for you for establishing the Andre Agassi Foundation to give hope and a chance at life to lots of young people through education.

As a true tennis legend,my questions are as follows:
1.What do you make of Roger.F ?
2.At the time you made false comments to the tennis official bodies and (of course the media) for allegedly using crystal-meth,WERE YOU CONCERNED or WORRIED in anyway or the other about the results,if in case something happens and they eventually FIND OUT?
Thanks.
Kano,Nigeria.

Also, WHY DID YOU DECIDED to make your previous difficulties Publicly known?.

Hi Andre,

Just like the others, I am also your fan. I tried my best watching your games and that of Sampras. I am not really surprised when athletes would suddenly confess their drug use. So many athletes had done it and most of them had done it earlier.
But I feel sad when Nadal expressed his disappointed over your confession because it gives them tougher pressure to gain the confidence of the public in tennis sport institution. I think I understand him more than I understand you.
Whatever your intention for confessing late is always alright for us fans. But I think you need to explain it harder to your fellow athletes in tennis.
I am always your fan.

I first saw you play at Longwood in Boston; you definitely were a motivation in my tennis 'career' and for that I thank you. I have trained at Bolleterri's as well and saw other kids overwhelmed by overbearing parents. I feel that people will judge you by not walking away or whining about your upbringing post fame/fortune but they don't realize the power these types of parents hold over their kids. Even when they are older they are still under the control of their parents. As for the drugs, who cares, no one is perfect. When they say how "disappointed" they are you might remind them of the millions of dollars you donate to charity.

A question for Andre with love and admiration from Greece....

Do you believe that your relationship (marriage) with Steffi Graf, plus the fact that you are now a parent, made you a better person and changed the perception you have about life?

Magdalena

Hi Andre,

I just received your book from Amazon yesterday – a compelling read though I'm only halfway through – work and kids getting in the way – you know how it is.

But I think everyone has been avoiding the 'big' question, so I'm going to put it out there so once and for all we can get an answer.

If you never felt your serve was as big a weapon as some of your opponents, why did you never hire a dedicated serving coach? I understand some other top players got a lot of benefit from such a move.

There. I'm glad I had the guts to bring it up.

By the way, the 2000 Aussie Open SF win against Sampras still ranks up there as one of my all time favorite matches. There's nothing like watching tennis at 4 am.

Regards
John from Canada

Who decided on the cover picture of your book? And why was this particular picture chosen?

Andre. You were and still are a great ambassador for Tennis. You have not cheated in sport if it is correct that you took recreational and not performance enhancing drugs. One of your strongest critics is Rafael Nadal. ATP should keep the sport clean and should take a close look at him (Nadal). As a teenager he grew his muscles overnight. A couple of seasons ago his name was linked to the notorious Dr. Fuentes who provided dozens of sports people with performance enhancing drugs. From that moment onwards Nadal's performance dropped!? This year ATP announced to up their drug testing and that player will be checked for 3 months. Once again Nadal's performance dropped and oh wonder he even dropped out "injured" for, guess what, 3 months. ATP start cleaning up the sport now against cheats who take performance enhancing drugs. Leave other kids alone that are pushed into a surreal world and want to have fun once in a while. Patrick Dick, Bangkok / Thailand

Hi Andre,

Did Steffi Graf also prompted you to come clean, whatever may be consequences....if she did and she is sticking by your side all the way... she is great.......

Did u ever talk to other greats in your time like Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and other many, personally......after all you earned their admiration on court...and u did wrong.....

......If you have won the Olympic Gold or any Grand slam title or any other ATP tournament, while under the influence of crystal meth.....you may think of returning the trophy.......this is least you could do....

Andre...

Did you contemplate that lots of your fans of your time (we were kids)... dreamed becaming an Andre someday ??

You were a hero for many people... an Idol...

How can you hate Tennis ?? Is the most beautiful sport, can't be hated...

I know for centain that you broke lots of hearts... maybe we didn't know before... but doing that actions to the sport we LOVE... that hurts...

How you dare to critic other Tennis players... you are a disgrace for our Beloved Sport...

Andre, you have my support and admiration because you have the courage to look honestly at your life. Did you decide to write your book as an attempt to clarify your life's path for yourself? Do you feel regret that you spent so many years sad and empty or do you see it as a journey that made you capable of being the man you are today?

I wish you the best of everything.

Agassi,

I was born in 1970 and so I remember when your image first began hitting the front page of sports. I remember how cool your hair looked, and to hear that it was a wig brings...well, surprise and makes one feel that maybe all the popular people struggle with looks too.

I am a man of conviction and believe that if you really mean something, your actions should follow your words.

If you did use drugs, then any awards received while using them should be passed on to the player(s) you cheated to beat. Will you be letting your actions support your words and try and bring any reconciliation? Those who competed honestly against you would be pleased to recieved a package in the mail.

Jon

I've followed Andre's career my whole life. HIs revelations are causing quite a stir and making people look at him differently. Perhaps coming out with this wasn't the best idea, but this was a guy who had immense talent, played the game for many reasons and most weren't on his terms.

People need to reflect a bit on the worst moments in their own lives before making a line call on this. I believe that on his day nobody could beat this guy on the court. Mentally he wasn't always there but pulled off 8 grand slams,

Imagine what he could have done if he was always focussed on the sport, but thats life. Ups and downs and he's chosen to write about it. Don't judge, he pulled himself together, played against the best for five years longer than we thought and pushed this generation of pros like he did the ones before him.

Dear Mr. Agassi,

I think your guilt and conscience have consumed you (a bit too much) obliging you to come clean. I think it's good for everyone to have conscience either for not to do the wrongdoings, or for regretting the past mistakes and promising not to commit them ever again.

Since you've already come out, you now need to be strong and accept all the criticisms you've imposed on yourself, BY yourself. Best you can do is to not take any criticism personally. Learn to ignore them. So you won't be hurt too much. Don't punish yourself. Learn to love yourself, and love people who really do care for you.

Go pass beyond all the superficial recognitions, either good or bad.

I think you're a decent man. This world's filled with countless hypocrites, who commit real crimes like killing people. So, don't worry too much about taking some wrong paths. Life's all about learning. Sometimes life's so hard that you don't think you could survive, but you did, no matter how–even having to take drugs to ease the pain. So, forgive yourself. It's the most important thing. You've so many other responsibilities now, and many more in the future. So many lives still depend on you. Live your best life! Be a good man. You still have a long lifetime ahead of you. Move on, and be the good you.

Sincerely best wishes, Mikela

Aggasi you have disapointed many of us that, supported you during your playing days. but, thank God for your confection.

My question is, as a top member of world Lawn Tenis board, what will you do to a tenis player who did what you did? will you support his TITLE to strip off or leae the TITLE for him?

Aggasi you have disapointed many of us that, supported you during your playing days. but, thank God for your confection. Nevertheless, advice othr Tenis player not to take drugs.

My question is, as a top member of world Lawn Tenis board, what will you do to a tenis player who did what you did? will you support his TITLE to strip off or leae the TITLE for him?

Hi Andre,
there are some very clear inconsistencies with what you a resaying:
1. How did you find the motivation to stick to tennis if oyu hated it this much? After, all bills were not exactly your problem

2. How can you explain your reactions on winning tournaments or losing matches? If you hated the sport that much, there should not have been so many teaers and so much joy? Or was that faked too? If yes, got o hollywood dude- the money earned could help one hell of a lot kids....

3. How did SG react to this stuff? She probably understands your world better than all of us writing this comments.

While I would be curious to hear your answers, I still think you are the great for giving us so much joy watching you play and so much entertainment discussing this now..... the world will forget what you have written in a few days while others will benefit for the rest of their lives from your charity work. So to hell with the critics... you are wayyyyy ahead of the pack. All the best- I am still rooting for you..

-Shiv

i started to play tennis when i saw play tennis. it became one of my favorite sports. you became an inspiration to youngster because of new style and stylish attire and became one of the mimicked attire. In your book i really admire your honesty and courage and never afraid of the truth eventhough it will affect your fame and clean image of the sports. we admire you more as an athlete and true sportsman. thank you for your true self and this will serve as an inspiration to the upcoming not only in tennis but also to the entire sports

Andre Agassi you rock my world!
Peace to you my brother!
You are an inspiration.
That took GUTS.

I work with Andre and want everyone to know he has raised well over 50 million dollars to help kids in Las Vegas. He has built schools and changed the lives of generations of children. Everyone has faults but few admit them, especially in public. BRAVO ANDRE FOR ALL YOU ARE!

He is one of the most humble and open people I have ever met. For all you perfect people, cut the guy a break and applaud his honesty. He is a tennis great and great very generous humanitarian.

I just used to love watching Agassi play ... it's so dissapointing, and it makes you wonder what else is going on now in the world of tennis. Maybe they need a clampdown to expose the cheaters. I would like to know more about Agassi's drug-taking. What did he take and when and did it actually help him win titles (if so then he should hand over his ill-earned medals/trophies to his "beaten" opponents). And of course, the really BIG question .... what does Steffi think about all this? Do I have to buy the book to find out?

Dear Andre,

Pretty cool that so many people can now basically send you an email!

While a breeze through the comments here, there is a lot of hatred, respect, love and admiration. I think that no one is perfect. Mistakes are there to be made and one can do what one feels as the best choice in that moment. So many people hide their mistakes and problems which in turn means they destroy themselves.

I think it is great you come clean. So what if you hate tennis and you should not care if people say negative things to or about you. Your dedication brought you to where you are today. Never stop what you are doing and everything will be fine! Like it always is in life!

Just make sure you stay happy and that you allow your son to make more tennis commercials!! So cool!

Regards from Vienna!
Dom

I have 2 questions

1. Will you donate all your financial profit from the book to a charity or back to the ATP? I like that you are honest and are coming clean, I dislike that you chose to do it after your career was over and, worst, in a way which directly increase book sales and profit. You could have released a statement or given a press conference. Doing so in this manner is at best disingenuous. Give the book money back!

2. Will you make a formal apology to all the players you competed with? Will you release any title won during the 2 years 97-99 during which, by today's standards, you would have been banned?

If your answer is no to any of the above, then we must conclude that "coming clean" in your book certainly has not sorted out your own issues with truth and ethics.

Hey Agassi,

I think it takes a big man to come out and admit everything. It would have been easier not to say anything, but making that decision to "come clean" says alot about who you are and what you stand for. I just have one question: You won 8 grand slams and won all four HATING the game.. all i want to know is, how many would you have won LOVING the game man?! You would have killed them all out there!! the T-1000 of tennis!!
Still the best in my book!

Konstantin

Mr. Agassi,

Your confession not only soildifies your greatness as an American athlete but, as a role mole to us all. I have not had the pleasure of reading the book but, i do look forward to it once I return from my current deployment to Iraq. I was never into the sport myself but, I always enjoyed watching a match of yours. Since your retirement I have not one match with intrest. Everybody has " skeletons" you have admitted yours head and shoulders above the rest. Stay Strong and best of luck to you.

Semper Fi

Playing pro tennis at the highest levels has to be one of the most difficult physical tasks in sports. Each amazing victory that you achieved in your "comeback years" had to take months of grueling preparation and practice, and many aches and pains thereafter. What caused you to do all that for something you actually hated?

We all have transgressed. At the end of the day, we stand before our own conscience and God. This public disclosure wasn't necessary and no good will come of it, other than to stir up public speculation. Andre, do you really need public forgiveness? If so, you are lost. The public are notoriously fickle. To soothe your soul, you need to forgive yourself, after getting forgiveness from God. And then move on, sin no more.

Is it true that Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin both missed large portions of 2004 because they were clearing performance-enhancing drugs out of their systems?

Is it true that Justine Henin's former husband, Pierre-Yves Hardenne, was the source of the drugs?

Is it true that Henin divorced Hardenne after she saw that she could still win drug-free?

If you have to cheat and confess later why did you cheat?

Meche
From Sydney

How are you going to turn this experience with drugs, and perhaps more importantly, this experience of lying and then owning up to it, into something positive to help others?

I am your biggest fan. I wanted to know about how hard it is to pull off your good looks even though your bald...

Andre

I have been a fan of you ever since I was a kid playing tennis and always tried to watch you on tv up until you retired. After hearing your stories my admiration for you only grows.

It takes a great individual to admit what you have and the only person you have to be true to is yourself.

The question I have is were any of your competitors aware of your issues with recreational drugs and depression, and if so did they offer any help or just turn their backs.

Having just admitted in my life to a gambling, alcohol and depression problem I know that people are so quick to judge. I think you should be commended on how you recognised you had an issue and turned you career around and found happiness off the tennis court.

Can't wait to read your book as I am sure it will provide the same inspiration to me as I got watching you on the tennis court

Dave (Australia)

Have you ever been a Champion?

With which tennis player would you try the hardest to avoid an all-out fist fight?

Regards,

NY

Hi Andre, I think you are a very brave man. My question is do you think that your 'confession' regarding 'crystal meth' has hurt you more or has it hurt the sport of tennis more?

I really admire his braveness. We need more honest people in our world. xx

Has the fallout from the book been more or less than what you expected? Other than Martina, has there been any positive or negative reaction that has particularly surprised you?

It's sad that you were in such a dark place that you turned to drugs for escape and it's unfortunate that you lied to cover it up. However these were not performance enhancing drugs (just the opposite) and as far as I am concerned, your tennis achievements are untarnished.

You should feel proud that you were were able to pull yourself out of that hole and turn your life around, I have a few friends that used crystal meth and it really destroyed their lives. There is no shame in falling down, it's how you pick yourself up and what you do after that matters.

Well,Andre thnx 4 being honest,when u cud have easily hidden it.The fact that u took the drugs when u were in the lowest point of ur career does not take away any Slams for u,nor will it diminish ur stature as a player.

Struggled with crystal meth, depression hated tennis, a book..... wow!! You have come full circle! A true inspiration!

Anneliese., Kenya

my question is due you involve yourself in poverty eradication programmes? like helping the poor/needy.

Hi Andre
I respect your openness about your past drug use. My question is about the use of drugs in sport generally.

1) I am of the opinion that effective drug testing is vital to ensure a fair and even playing field for all athletes. Therefore athletes taking performance enhancing drugs should be punished severely. I question though whether this testing should also extend to non-performance enhancing drugs (eg Marijuana). Why does it, and what do you think?

2) Nadal and Murray have both been critical of the World Anti-Doping Agency's "whereabouts" rule, which was introduced on 1 January 2009. Under this rule players have to tell anti-doping authorities where they will be for one hour of every day over three months. This seems draconian, and I dont think many CNN readers could tell you where they will be every day for the next 3 months... What you you think of this rule?

Best regards, I'm still a huge fan
Roger (NZ)

If I were you i just do it with return back money , title and trophy . Wihtout any autobiography or explaination why , why , why . Cause the more you say the more you feel cheated and dissappointent.

Miki

Hi Andre, Greetings from Iran,

First of all I want to tell you that after your confession, you became my favorite tennis player of all times, the thing about drugs not only didn't ruin your image, but also improved the image you have, at least in my point of view. it's exactly this image thing that have made people think that drugs are such terrible things, it's exactly an image, without enough knowledge behind it, people judge people who use drugs, without even knowing what the drug is or what it does, these all come from lack of knowledge and the wrong image that they've made in people's mind since they're child.
anyway, now I have a question, are you angry or upset of the "stupid" people who judge you base on your drug use, or do you just forgive them because it's the lack of knowledge in them that creates these kind of judgments?
in my point of view, people should not talk about or judge something they dont know anything about, and again in my opinion, people should start to find the truth on their own instead of believing each and every thing that the educational system or the society teach them?
At the end I want to say I'm really proud of you, and I hope what you're doing raise the awareness in the people.

Peace be upon you intelligent Andre!

Dear Andre,

I read you didn`t like tennis. It appeared to me that later in the final years of your professional play you had a passion for the game. I would like to know at what point in your life did the hate turn into something that you enjoyed?

Is there anything you did different in life or the game that changed the way you felt about playing professional tennis?

Thanks for the memories and always thrilling play.

Todd

Andre, I'm an American living in Kaiserslautern. I'd love to hit with you for fun at my local tennis platz. We can drink a couple of Bitburgers afterwards with the club players and hang out. I respect you for what you've done on and off the tennis court.

Hello Mr. Agassi,

could you have succeeded so well without taking drugs?

Oliver Onwusonye
Germany

Andrea, i commend your honesty and guts to reveal what you told the world about your drug use. The only PERFECT MASTER IS GOD and you are only a mere mortal like all of us on earth.
You have helped many underprivilege people giving them hope, courage and a new life. I salute your courage and no matter what, we still love you
The greatest sin on earth is for one to make a mistake and hide it forever but you didn't and because you owned up, you earned my respect and millions of other people globally. God bless your courage.
'yomi.

You are such a cutie.

Hi i was shocked when i heard the news.What happendeto you to say that?

Dear Mr. Agassi: Why did it take you so long to reveal this? Is your conscience bothering you now? Thank you.

As someone who has experienced the effects of crystal meth, (fortunately I could not afford to become addicted) I found it to be a false sense of energy and actually debilitating in trying to get things done.
So my question is: how were you able to go out on the court and play tennis when your body was screaming for the next hit?

Andre, how did Steffi Graf affect you mentally when you met her? Did she strengthen you?

Sounds like you are providing the public with information that keeps them better informaed about the stresses and pitfalls of being a celebrity sports figure. It is important that people know that larger than life celebrities are in the end human... subject to successes and failures. Being honest with yourself or others in the end hurts nobody. It strengthens the soul and reminds us that we are all part of the human community.

Sounds like you have found good balance at different times in your life and career. Hope things continue well for you and your family.

Best wishes from Switzerland

been a top rated star how does it feel when you lose games

i think andre's life is kind of complicated don't really understand his stiry

Hi Andre,

In future, do you suggest your kids to take drugs for winning or survival? on the court,

you are still the best.

Krishna

You have let everyone here in Romania down. My question is: why are you such a jerk? 10 for talent, zero for character...

Hey, Andre. I have always been a fan, and will always be. Many people say a lot of insensitive things about things they don't understand. I admire your courage for telling the truth, as painful as it may be; I bet it feels like an anvil has been lifted of your soul.

I understand that parents can put an enormous amount of pressure on kids to do something they did not want to do. Resentment can be a power poison that can lead to many bad things, and you have attested to that.

I believe that being real is the best policy. It would also be a good idea, as I am sure you've probably done, or already thought so, to follow up your openess, with a message of encouragement to kids to:

1. Not do drugs.
2. To be open and candid with their parents.

Would you be open to having, with maybe Dr. Phil, some kind of workshop for parents and kids, as a form of atonement, of competitive tennis on the importance of not listening to the wishes of kids, and not pushing them to unhealthy levels?

Forever a Fan
Will-

why you were never been proud of being half Iranian?

What in the world is it going to resolve 19 years later! He should of kept quite....or maybe he justwanted to sell books.
He had tainted tennis

I think people are taking it wrong, he hated to play tenis does not mean that he should not had played the tenis, sometimes you are stick with one work and think that after doing this work you will be happy and this hard work will bring happiness to you, i think it was same.
As i do job, i do'nt love my job, instead ' i hate doing work, 8 hours a day', but still i do work and i am improving myself to get promotion , and i know that after getting promotion , there will be more hard work,
but a hope is there , a hope is that i will get money, i will have my own home, car..... a long list etc.
This is the life, when you become old enough and you do'nt have new targets, you start thinking that i hadn't get the thing that i intended to have.
Some wise man said that "think life as a temporary place and enjoy every moment instead of thinking a lot about the future".
The people like Andre achieve those targets that we millions of people are intended to achieve but they miss the every day happiness that we (ordinary) people have.
I suggest andre to enjoy the life , and try to do the things that you have missed , you are not old enough........: )
Cheers.

Andre,

When you look at your family with Steffi, do you aspire anything for your children in the future?

Dear Andre,

Thank you for the many years of tennis. Thank you for all you've done for the sport. Thank you for all of your charitable deeds.

Seeing as how the drugs were used during the lowest point in your career and that you quit and then built a second career, the trophies are all well earned and deserved.

Again, THANK YOU!
Randy

My question is, I heard you criticized Pete Sampras in your book.. I thought you two were good friends, is this not so ?? I dont as yet know what your criticism was.. how do you think he will take it ?? You are great by the way .. hope it's not been too hard for you to face all the attention after your book came out.. Thanks lots for a quick answer..S

Andre "da Bomb" Agassi,

Don't you think you would have been the greatest of all time if Pete Sampras was not on the tour? When are you going to conduct a tour of Africa?

Hassan Wada
Lagos, Nigeria

Dear Andre

The past is the past – I still think you are lovely. You probably feel better for telling the truth, but it changes nothing really. Keep on smiling as you have a lovely smile.

I can understand the need to tell the truth and the relief one receives when doing so. However, why do you feel the need to tell the truth now and why didn't you just tell the truth then? I mean if you told the truth then, you may have had to deal with the press and the medias criticism but you were not considerably famous at the time and people would have gotten over it. My point is all people would have remembered not is what you have achieved in tennis and how you have come such a long way since the drug use, but instead people think that you are the guy who lied to us all but yet had the ability to amaze us through your incredible talent.

What can i say, i am not the one to judge. i am the lover of the game and i enjoyed watching Andre Agassi played for all times.

God be with you and stay stron

Cherida
Jamaica, West Indies

Hello Andre

I hope you and your family are well....
Courageous decision to write this book
You said that at one time in your career you were depressed and needed help.
Did you tried to say “STOP, I need somebody to help me” instead of taking drug. Or is it simply impossible to do so when you are an athlete and living an incredible life as you did

Regards, Marc

Marc

marc

If our reaction to your revelations in the book is to be one of grace and understanding, why then did you choose to use the same book to judge other people?

Hi Andre,

Do you share my opinion that it would be morally correct to return all the tropheys and give to charity prizes won during period you were on drugs?

AmericaNino

Dear Andre,

Thanks for sharing your life with the people who admire you and truly care for you.

Have you already granted the wish of your kids the dogs you promised them after your retirement?

Wish you and your family joy and peace.

A fan of yours for 19 years,
Ming from Hong Kong

Hello Andre,

No question here. Congratulations on a great career and thank you for making the sport of tennis what it is today.

Regards,

Ivan

Hi Andre,

Do you think that Performance enhance drugs are efficient in the game of Tennis on a Technical level ? I mean even if it would enhance your physical stamina, if you don't have lets say skills like a good forehand, backhand, serve and volley , the drugs will not make you win or lose a game or even a tournament.

Cheers from Morocco

Hey Andre,

thanks for the revelations. If you hated tennis so much then why did you play for so long in spite of all the injuries?

Maybe you had a love-hate relationship with the game?

I definitely enjoyed watching you play especially against Pete and Boris.

Peter

Is a top-end sportsperson born or made? What can you see in yourself (as a driven professional sportsperson) that is innate? How has your personality factored in your achievement, and who influenced you the most during the start of your career?

Thanks...

Francesca

Andre,

I am probably one of your biggest fans and always rooted for you when you played Sampras, even though you came up short most of the times that i watched. The one thing i dont understnad is why you wore a wig.... i mean mayeb that is why you lost ...being bald makes you more dynamic...hey if you wore your true hair maybe you would have won a few more grand slams and layed off the drugs.

andre! oh andre!why didn't you just shut up? you broke my heart! believe me you are not the only one who's guilty of something that you did in the past! why don't you just let it be? God! noone is a saint, I don't know what to do with you now but I guess you are still my hero.what would tennis in my generation be without you? meth or no meth! I wish I knew your secret when I was younger .

Dear Andre,

My questions –

1. Do you think the drugs enhanced your performance on court or worsened it? From my perspective, winning a tennis tournament/grandslam is based on a number of variables including practice/training, talent, skill, mental strength, focus, quality of opponents etc. I don't believe the drugs can positively impact all these variables.

2 .What was the driving force behind your success?

Femi
Lagos

Andre, you inspired so many with your style and your grace. We thought you were Superman but you showed us you were human and vulnerable. No doubt, you regret some decisions you made but you got through it. I wish you and your family the best.

Hi Andre
I'm your fan number one. You are and you will be my hero forever...
Which was your reaction when you and your family discover that your mum and sister had cancer... were you angry, sad... and how you showed them all your strenght, without showing them your fear?
I'm living the same situation with my dad...
thank you very much. You are the best person in the word

I appreciate your boldness on and off court. My best wishes to yourself and your luvly family. You are a true and noble American and a hero to millions.

Dear Andre,
Just wanted to let you know, that nomather what everyone says after your confessions, you still are a true idol to most of your fans. The joy and intense moments that you are able to create, is what makes the difference, whether you have long hair or are bold, use drugs or not. Thanks for those moments and don't let anyone tell you differently!

Many children are pushed ( "encouraged" ) to pursue athletics competitively because they show talent . I am guessing that the lack of enjoyment comes as a result of turning a sport into a demanding job. I think it is brave and healing for you to share your secret life.
Enjoy your family and new interests!