Sign in with Facebook
Ryan's Reviews > Open
Open
by
by
When Agassi first wins prize money, he phones his father to ask what he should do. If he cashes the cheque, it will mean he's turning pro. His father's response is harsh but also true: "You've dropped out of school! You have an eighth-grade education. What are your choices? What the hell else are you going to do? Be a doctor?" So he turns pro at a young age without an education and proceeds to make many mistakes before he eventually puts his life together, marries Steffi Graf, and invests in his community.
Much of the book is about his tense relationship with the media. When Agassi agrees to be in an advertisement with the slogan "image is everything," the media turn it into the story of Andre Agassi. How dare they. He did not choose the slogan "image is everything" or even understand it. Sorry, but doesn't that imply that the slogan is well chosen for him? Agassi turns pro and it seems that overnight he becomes a celebrity because he is brash and handsome. Even reading the story of his career from his perspective, it's hard to see a lot more character than a strange haircut, denim shorts, and precocious talent. It is not until well into his adulthood that he begins to realize what it takes to put "substance above image." If the media missed the mark, I'm not sure they missed by much.
It is nevertheless gratifying when he achieves a balance. Many of the people in Agassi's life come across very well. He marries Brooke Shields, who seems great even if the marriage doesn't last. Steffi Graf also seems great. I also loved the scene when he first sits down with his coach, Brad, who bombs a few beers while tearing apart Agassi's game. Many of Agassi's rivals come across admirably, especially Pete Sampras. His father and his father-in-law hilariously get into a boxing match when they first meet. To be honest, the only person who comes across like a bit of a shmuck is Agassi, which may be one reason people so often praise Open. The brashness matures into a confident and expressive memoir that is easy to respect in 2020, which has become an age of commercials for athletes posing as documentaries about athletes.
The other reason people so often praise Open is J.R. Moehringer, who ghostwrote the book. Although I worry that hiring a fancy New York writer to write your autobiography does not show a lot of substance, the book works. And I suspect many sport and business books actually are ghostwritten. I see on J.R. Moehringer's wikipedia page that he wrote (contributed?) Shoe Dog, but he's not mentioned on the wikipedia page for the book. Nor is he credited here on Goodreads. I dislike the ambiguity of ghostwriting, though I suppose it helps writers to pay the bills.
Regardless, Moehringer's depictions of tennis matches struck me, a person who does not really follow tennis at all, as electric. Moehringer always praises the opponent and then we learn that Agassi has secretly kept up or has even won the match—this approach hooked me every time. If in doubt, I recommend reading the opening chapter.
Much of the book is about his tense relationship with the media. When Agassi agrees to be in an advertisement with the slogan "image is everything," the media turn it into the story of Andre Agassi. How dare they. He did not choose the slogan "image is everything" or even understand it. Sorry, but doesn't that imply that the slogan is well chosen for him? Agassi turns pro and it seems that overnight he becomes a celebrity because he is brash and handsome. Even reading the story of his career from his perspective, it's hard to see a lot more character than a strange haircut, denim shorts, and precocious talent. It is not until well into his adulthood that he begins to realize what it takes to put "substance above image." If the media missed the mark, I'm not sure they missed by much.
It is nevertheless gratifying when he achieves a balance. Many of the people in Agassi's life come across very well. He marries Brooke Shields, who seems great even if the marriage doesn't last. Steffi Graf also seems great. I also loved the scene when he first sits down with his coach, Brad, who bombs a few beers while tearing apart Agassi's game. Many of Agassi's rivals come across admirably, especially Pete Sampras. His father and his father-in-law hilariously get into a boxing match when they first meet. To be honest, the only person who comes across like a bit of a shmuck is Agassi, which may be one reason people so often praise Open. The brashness matures into a confident and expressive memoir that is easy to respect in 2020, which has become an age of commercials for athletes posing as documentaries about athletes.
The other reason people so often praise Open is J.R. Moehringer, who ghostwrote the book. Although I worry that hiring a fancy New York writer to write your autobiography does not show a lot of substance, the book works. And I suspect many sport and business books actually are ghostwritten. I see on J.R. Moehringer's wikipedia page that he wrote (contributed?) Shoe Dog, but he's not mentioned on the wikipedia page for the book. Nor is he credited here on Goodreads. I dislike the ambiguity of ghostwriting, though I suppose it helps writers to pay the bills.
Regardless, Moehringer's depictions of tennis matches struck me, a person who does not really follow tennis at all, as electric. Moehringer always praises the opponent and then we learn that Agassi has secretly kept up or has even won the match—this approach hooked me every time. If in doubt, I recommend reading the opening chapter.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Open.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Finished Reading
June 2, 2020
– Shelved
