He won two Grand Slam titles that year-the French Open and the U.S. Speaking about his drug use, he later told People magazine that "I can't speak to addiction, but a lot of people would say that if you're using anything as an escape, you have a problem."Įventually turning his life around, Agassi launched an impressive comeback in 1999. Agassi claimed that he had "unwittingly" drank a drug-laced beverage belonging to a friend. He tested positive for drugs in 1997, but he told the Association of Tennis Professionals that his drug use had been accidental. According to his autobiography Open, Agassi had been introduced to crystal meth by a friend. He failed to win any tournaments that year, and the former number-one player dropped significantly in the rankings. Career Comebackīeginning in 1997, Agassi went through a difficult patch, both professionally and personally. He was romantically linked to singer Barbra Streisand before marrying actress Brooke Shields in 1997. Off the court, charismatic Agassi's personal life became a popular topic in the tabloids. At the top of his game, Agassi won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia. He was victorious at the Australian Open in 1995, which helped him climb to the top of rankings that year. In 1992, Agassi silenced his critics with a win at Wimbledon, his first Grand Slam title.Īfter his Wimbledon win, Agassi had several more Grand Slam victories in the early 1990s. While Agassi won his first competition in 1987, but he failed to clinch a major title during his early career.
Some wondered whether there was any substance behind of his youthful good looks and flashy style. The boisterous athlete quickly had an endorsement deal with Nike before even winning a title. When he first arrived on the tennis scene, Agassi turned heads and raised eyebrows with his wild hair and bright clothing. The young tennis player turned professional in 1986. At the age of sixteen, Agassi decided it was time to compete in the big leagues.
Agassi proved to be one of the top junior players in the sport, winning several U.S. He moved to Florida where he went to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. In his mid-teens, Agassi abandoned his education to train full time. His father, an immigrant from Iran and a former Olympic boxer, served as his first coach, making Agassi practice for hours at the family's Las Vegas, Nevada home. Early Lifeīorn on April 29, 1970, tennis legend Agassi first picked up a racket when he was a toddler at the insistence of his father. After a career slump, Agassi returned to top form in 1999 with wins at the U.S. Open win in 1994 and the Australian Open in 1995. In 1992, Agassi won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
Former professional tennis player Andre Agassi won several USTA junior national titles before turning professional at the age of 16.
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