Open

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, celebrated memoirist, and ghostwriter J. R. Moehringer collaborated with Agassi on the memoir. Moehringer’s own memoir, the critically acclaimed book The Tender Bar (2005) was adapted into a movie starring Ben Affleck. In addition to his collaboration on Agassi’s Open, Moehringer was the ghostwriter of Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare. While Moehringer chose to be uncredited for his work on Open, Agassi emphasizes Moehringer’s vital role in the book’s acknowledgments. Agassi’s assertion that he “asked [Moehringer] to show me my life through a Pulitzer Prize-winner’s lens” suggests that the author contributed to shaping and editing Agassi’s life story into a satisfying and engaging narrative (386). Agassi’s decision to work with Moehringer reflects a desire to create a memoir that goes beyond a simple recounting of events to delve deeply into the psychological and emotional aspects of his life.

Moehringer spent extensive time with Agassi while working on the memoir. They became friends as he conducted in-depth interviews, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Agassi’s life story. This immersive approach enabled Moehringer to capture Agassi’s voice authentically and to convey his experiences with depth and nuance.

A pivotal figure in Open, Andre’s father, Mike Agassi, embodied the fraught dynamics of a parent-driven pursuit of athletic success. His domineering and obsessive presence loomed large over Andre’s childhood and early career, shaping his son’s experiences and attitudes toward tennis. The memoir depicts the former Olympian boxer as an overly demanding figure with an authoritarian approach to parenting and coaching. Andre’s struggle with his identity, his feelings of inadequacy, and his turbulent relationship with tennis trace back to his father’s overbearing presence and high expectations. Nevertheless, the author asserts that he never doubted his father’s love.

Mike’s construction of a tennis court in his backyard and creation of the high-octane ball machine “the dragon” demonstrate both his obsession with tennis and his determination. The love of money that drove his ambition for his son was evident in Mike’s fixation with the wheelbarrow full of silver dollars at the Alan King Tennis Classic tournament. His decision to send Andre to the Nick Bollettieri Academy was based on the discovery that the tennis school shared his relentless approach to training.

Andre’s relationship with his father was characterized by a mix of fear and the desire to please him. The bodies of hawks shot by Mike on the roof of their family home were a constant reminder of his aggressive nature. Agassi’s shocking revelation of the road rage incidents he witnessed as a child demonstrates his father’s violent propensities. However, he balances his portrait of his father’s avarice and brutality through exposition describing Mike’s childhood in Tehran, where he endured poverty and parental abuse. The text portrays Mike, like his son, as a product of his upbringing.

As Andre grew older and achieved success, his relationship with his father remained strained. Although Mike was proud of his son’s achievements, he was able to express only criticism. Ultimately, the author learned to accept his father’s shortcomings, asserting, “My father is what he is, and always will be” (201).

Andre’s older brother, Philly (Phillip) was born in 1961. Having already experienced their father’s rigorous training methods firsthand, Philly understood the pressure Andre experienced. He assumed a supportive role for Andre, providing guidance and encouragement and helping him navigate the challenges of early competitions. This bond with his older brother was an essential part of Andre’s emotional support system.

Mike Agassi labeled his oldest son a “loser” who lacked the killer instinct required of a tennis champion. Philly internalized his father’s criticism, as evident in his tirade of self-abuse after losing a match. To Andre, Philly was an inspirational example of perseverance and determination because he continued to strive for success while lacking his younger brother’s competitive edge.

Andre’s close friend and business manager, Perry Rogers, played a role in Andre’s life that extended beyond professional responsibilities. His personal support and guidance significantly impacted his friend’s career and personal journey. Perry and Andre’s close childhood friendship was based on their shared experience of living in the shadow of tyrannical fathers. The boys established a deep bond of trust and loyalty that persisted throughout their lives as Perry became a member of Andre’s chosen family. His role as a confidant was crucial during the many highs and lows of Andre’s career, providing a safe space for him to express his fears, doubts, and frustrations.

In addition, Perry was central to Andre’s philanthropic projects, helping him establish the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. His dedication to this initiative reflected his commitment to their shared childhood goal of giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

The memoir paints a largely unflattering portrait of the owner of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, emphasizing Nick’s unnaturally deep tan, his serial marriages, and his grating voice, which he compares to “sandpaper on Velcro” (75). Nick represents the intense dynamics of high-level sports coaching. He took on a similar role to Mike Agassi, enforcing a grueling training regimen on Andre in the belief Andre had moneymaking talent. However, the author suggests that, unlike his father, Nick lacked a passion for tennis. His mercenary nature is evident in his attempts to extract money from Andre after experiencing bankruptcy.

A significant figure in Open, Brad Gilbert filled a crucial role in the resurgence of Andre’s career and his personal growth. When Brad became Andre’s coach, he was already an established figure in the tennis world, known for his strategic mind and his book Winning Ugly (1993), which emphasizes the mental and tactical aspects of tennis. He taught Andre to play smarter by exploiting opponents’ weaknesses and maintaining mental resilience on the court. One of Brad’s key strategies was to simplify Andre’s game, encouraging him to focus on consistency and patience rather than trying to hit winners on every shot. This approach helped Andre develop a more measured and strategic playing style, which became a cornerstone of his later success.

Brad’s influence extended beyond the technical aspects of tennis; he helped Andre navigate the game’s psychological challenges. He encouraged Andre to stay calm under pressure and to believe in his ability to win, even in difficult situations. This mental fortitude became crucial in reviving Andre’s career. Brad’s role in Andre’s success underscores the importance of the right mentorship and a positive approach to challenges.

A former strength and conditioning coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Gil Reyes is an imposing figure in the memoir, which describes him as looking “like the statue of Atlas fronting Rockefeller Center” (132). As a trainer, he became an integral part of Andre’s team and chosen family. He served as Andre’s mentor, unofficial bodyguard, and friend while positively influencing his physical and personal development.

Gil’s holistic and personalized approach to training was a welcome change for Andre. Instead of asking him to adhere to a fixed regimen, he tailored workouts to suit Andre’s unique needs. Gil’s assertion, “There’s a difference between a plow horse and a racehorse” (147), highlights his respect for Andre’s physical and mental well-being. Under his guidance, Andre experienced significant improvement in his physical condition, helping him achieve greater consistency and longevity in his career.

Beyond his role as a trainer, Gil became an alternative father figure for Andre. The memoir emphasizes the contrast between the training techniques of Mike Agassi and Gil: “Gil likes to yell at me when I’m working out, but it’s nothing like my father’s yelling. Gil yells love” (153). Their relationship was built on mutual respect and trust. Gil’s unwavering support for Andre is evident in the author’s assertion that “he’s never once taken a bathroom break during one of my matches” (353). His presence gave Andre stability and confidence when he struggled with self-doubt. In the memoir, Agassi often notes his deep gratitude to Gil for helping shape the man he became.

Actor and model Brooke Shields entered Andre’s life at a time when he was searching for stability and meaning beyond tennis. The memoir first mentions her in describing how Perry half-jokingly predicted that his friend would end up dating the woman recently voted the world’s most beautiful. By the time they met and started dating, Brooke and Andre were both prominent public figures.

The memoir depicts Andre’s relationship with Brooke as complex and turbulent. On the surface, their union appeared glamorous, drawing significant media attention. In addition, the couple shared an emotional connection, as both experienced parental pressure and the scrutiny of fame at a young age. However, Agassi also describes the incompatibility of their lifestyles and aspirations. Their differing professional demands and personal priorities led to misunderstandings and emotional distance because Andre’s craving for authenticity clashed with the performative aspect of Brooke’s career.

Agassi reflects on this period and his eventual divorce from Brooke with a mix of regret and introspection. While acknowledging the love and connection they shared, he recognizes the fundamental incompatibilities and personal issues that contributed to their breakup. The end of the marriage ultimately propelled him toward a renewed focus on his tennis career and personal growth.

Andre depicts his second wife, fellow tennis champion Steffi Graf, as a transformative force in his life. While he pursued other romantic relationships, Steffi was always present in the background because her grace and quiet dignity fulfilled his ideal of femininity. He therefore presents their eventual relationship as destined.

Steffi’s relationship with Andre was marked by love, professional respect for each other’s achievements, and shared experiences. As former child prodigies, both understood the pressures and demands of professional tennis. This shared background allowed them to support each other in ways that few others could. The author highlights how Steffi’s insights and experiences helped him navigate his own career and eventual retirement. In addition, her commitment to charitable work aligned with Andre’s own philanthropic goals.

The memoir portrays their marriage as a harmonious and deeply fulfilling partnership. The couple’s family life became a central source of joy and stability for Andre as they had two children together. The author depicts Steffi’s support as instrumental in his successful career revival, providing him with the emotional and mental strength he needed to compete at the highest level.