Open – An Autobiography

Author: Andre Agassi

“But I don’t feel that Wimbledon has changed me. I feel, in fact, as if I’ve been let in on a dirty little secret: winning changes nothing. Now that I’ve won a slam, I know something that very few people on earth are permitted to know. A win doesn’t feel as good as a loss feels bad, and the good feeling doesn’t last as long as the bad. Not even close.”

~

‘Open’ is a biography that is replete with loses, one after another. Between two points of ebbs, is a very human story. The wins and accolades escape in few phrases in a line. The criticisms and inhibitions however get magnified in elaborate pages after pages. That’s why you identify with Andre; one may not be a champion in their game, but one is always trying to win the fight against one’s own demons.

Yet, not once will you feel gloom. You will only feel the surge of pure joy.

It’s not a book about resilience. It’s one about finding purpose. It’s not motivational. It feels true and honest. Well, is there anything really like an honest autobiography? It really does not matter! Even if certain things are written a certain way for portraying a certain dimension with a bit of digression, it still feels honest.

It feels honest because things like respect and generosity are not made to feel as some heavenly virtues. Neither are rebellions and substance intakes made to feel as a flawed character to immediately label and cast aside. The narrative embraces contradictions and multitudes without overtly justifying.

In today’s time with such beautiful documentaries and feature films being made on personalities , I can assure you the nuances of this book can not translate into a motion picture. But the book itself is written with such spectacular wit and a consistent pace, it’s an absolute page turner. Next time if you are wondering what to binge, binge on Open!

P.S. I have never seen a single tennis match start to finish. I’m not even a sports geek. Yet this book speaks to me so eloquently, as will it to you!