Agassi used crystal meth, book reportedly says (Tiger Woods, professional, Champion)

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by Neuling

He is from Las Vegas, no wonder it was all show and fake

The talent was fake? His hair was, but not the talent. Small wonder the USTA accepted that lame excuse of "my drink was spiked"...to have someone with his talent and prospects, not doubt they looked the other way.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by JackTheRipper

Andre Agassi used crystal meth in 1997

So?

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by Wicked Felina

The talent was fake? His hair was, but not the talent. Small wonder the USTA accepted that lame excuse of "my drink was spiked"...to have someone with his talent and prospects, not doubt they looked the other way.

I think it was hard work rather than talent. I don't think there is a talent for any sport in anyone. Sure, he did work hard, he himself says he always disliked tennis, but his father pushed him. Plus, by taking drugs he cheated on his opponents. So who knows how much of his success was authentic...

[Orangeish]

Originally Posted by Neuling

I think it was hard work rather than talent. I don't think there is a talent for any sport in anyone. Sure, he did work hard, he himself says he always disliked tennis, but his father pushed him. Plus, by taking drugs he cheated on his opponents. So who knows how much of his success was authentic...

What? When he was using is when he was on the biggest downswing of his career, he only cheated himself out of more success, not his opposition.

[Neuling]

That may be what he is saying now, but can one ever believe someone who has lied and cheated before? I personally don't. I guess he was a poor, unhappy guy, but still a fake, somewhat similar to MJ, only on a smaller scale.

[Orangeish]

Originally Posted by Neuling

That may be what he is saying now, but can one ever believe someone who has lied and cheated before? I personally don't. I guess he was a poor, unhappy guy, but still a fake, somewhat similar to MJ, only on a smaller scale.

Playing tennis at that high of a level is 100x more demanding then any team sport, I don't care if its basketball, football, or Rugby, there is no way you could be a heavy user of frigging crystal for a long duration and have it enhance your performance---especially in tennis. Also, why come out, in a book to tell people you used and then lie about the details? To make money? Andre and his wife are certainly not broke. Again, I commend him for doing this, and still have nothing but respect for his career as a player.

[Neuling]

Good question, why did he publish that book and risk destroying his reputation and past success in the first place?

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Wicked Felina

yeah, and he is one of the sport's greatest athletes.

He is a good guy...how many mistakes would we have made were we in his shoes and surrounded by hangers-on and synchophants? How well would any of us have withstood the pressure?

He made himself healthy again. #1 in the world. He and his wife have worked extremely hard to help others less fortunate than themsleves.

Agassi cleaned up his act and it didn't take him being "found out" to do it. That alone qualifies as a very positive action in my book.

Exactly...it's called "growing up". He got older and more mature, as we all do.

He's a tennis icon, one of only a couple of players to ever win all four majors. I don't care what he did in the past. He's a hero in the present.

[VolDude]

Originally Posted by Neuling

That may be what he is saying now, but can one ever believe someone who has lied and cheated before? I personally don't. I guess he was a poor, unhappy guy, but still a fake, somewhat similar to MJ, only on a smaller scale.

Yeah, I bet you only believe perfect souls who've never lied. Please.

I'm sure he's sitting in his mansion or Italian sportscar somewhere, crying that there are folks out there dumb enough to think meth is performance enhancing.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by Neuling

I think it was hard work rather than talent. I don't think there is a talent for any sport in anyone. Sure, he did work hard, he himself says he always disliked tennis, but his father pushed him. Plus, by taking drugs he cheated on his opponents. So who knows how much of his success was authentic...

You could take a group of 1000 people and they could train just like Agassi from the time they are young. Maybe 1 would become Agassi's level of tennis player. To get to that level of professional athlete...aka one of the best of all time...you have to be incredibly gifted AND work incredibly hard.