Open and Shut ‘I hate tennis’ says André Agassi in his new autobiography ‘Open’. This statement boggles the mind for two reasons: Why did he spend most of his adult life making certain he was at the top of a game he didn’t even like? And if not for the sport, what kept him going?
Unfortunately, he’s just one of many sportsmen who hate his sport. According to the ‘Guardian’ Chris Boardman, the former Olympic pursuit champion, and Tour De France star David Millar admitted to not really liking cycling either.
To an extent it is understandable. Being the best requires all consuming training and tenacity, and it does take over your life. But then, what pushes them on and gets them out of bed? Of this dilemma Agassi says in his book: "I'm a young man, relatively speaking. Thirty Six. But I wake as if 96. After two decades of sprinting, stopping on a dime, jumping high and landing hard, my body no longer feels like my body. Consequently, my mind no longer feels like my mind."
I’m sure there are a lot of non-Wimbledon- winning people who feel like this in the morning. However, most of them get out of bed because they have bills to pay. It’s hard to imagine Agassi’s unpaid bills piling up on the kitchen table pushing him to the French Open. It could be the burning desire to be the best, the limelight, or the fear of failure. I guess the only way to find out is to read the book.
But then, the thought creeps to mind – is knowing what got him out of bed in the morning really worth buying and then reading a book about a drug abusing somewhat masochistic star who appears to have decided it’s time for his shot of the limelight?.
I would rather read an inspiring tale of a young man who fought against all odds to do something he loved. Stephen Hawking is right when he said about himself: ‘It is a waste of time to be angry about my disability. One has to get on with life and I haven’t done badly. People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining’.
I wonder if you’ll agree…
I'm not sure..On one hand I would like to know what goes on in a top sporter's mind..but on the other I tend to agree with you! Great read!
ReplyDeleteAndre Agassi has always been one of my favourite tennis stars. He played with extreme passion and never hid his true feelings on court, in victory or defeat.It was extremely disappointing to learn about his drug problem. After touching the pinnacle of success he should have known better than to declare the truth in his retirement years. I fail to understand, wasn't it better for him to just tuck away such a controversial experience in his life and to not lose fans he'd won through his dramatic performances on court? If I were in his place, I'd never trade all those years (even if I hated them) for one last shot in the limelight. I still think I'm going to read this one, in spite of his obvious hatred for the sport that made him and subsequently broke him. Good read, Bips! Was wondering what you were up to and came across this through FB.
ReplyDeleteHeya Beans! Thank you for your comment. Lovely to hear from you. I have to agree with you, I would never trade a lifetime's work for one shot of limelight. Who knows what his motives were. Perhaps, he'll write another book on it! Let me know what you think of it :)
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