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Open - March Group Read
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Mod
I felt bad at the way his father pushed him, about him having to have left school without formal education and having to face so much pressure in formative years. I have reached the part where (view spoiler)
I started the book this afternoon. Haven't read much to add any comments here. But I am inquisivite to know why Andre shares a love hate relationship with the game of tennis.
Mod
I am amazed and shocked. I feel for 7 year old Andre. His father is no less than a tyrant! Was it fear alone that took to world number one?? Why do parents force their children to live the dream they dream? Sigh!
Mod
we tend to see only their glitter
Smitha wrote: "Yes, I really hated his dad. But later towards the end, Andre accepts what his dad is. And one amazing thing, he never stops loving his dad. If whatever written in the book is true, then I really a..."Exactly. There is this point before his last match at the US Open. He is about to emerge from the tunnel into the court and he can hear the crowd cheer. He thinks that the crowd loves tennis and how would it be like if they get to know about Andre's dislike.
It might take a little while for me to get this book :(
Also I'm not reading much these days.. Spending 7 days @ office :'(
Sherin wrote: "Also I'm not reading much these days.. Spending 7 days @ office :'("I am reading slowly as well. I am at office too right now!
Mod
I am done with the book - finished it in two days' time and am now and then scourging the net for more tidbits. I would like to know about Sampras now - in Agassi's book he is portrayed as a mostly unruffled really talented player who loved tennis (a miser, though)
Mod
I got to see Agassi and family photos in the net - both their kids are grown up now (maybe 10 and 8 or so)
Smitha wrote: "why is that no one is interested in Agassi? I thought there would be a raging discussion here comparing the different tennis players, their styles, lives etc. ...I got to see Agassi and family ph..."
I know Col., I'm disappointed with no one reading Andre's autobio. I think its me :( Golden Gate drew no attention nor is Open. Sigh!
Anyways I wasn't able to read for sometime but kept yearning and read till 4 in the morning today. It kept getting better and better. Andre was christened as a rebel, a punk by media and anything he would mumble were noted at the press conferences. No one focusses on the other side of the story, Andre's side.
Mod
Sorry parikhit.. I want to read it.. But not getting time to finish the other book itself.. :( Will try to start it in a week..
Reached the part where Andre has just won the Wimbledon. A crush on Steffi Graf :D
Mod
This is a terrific read! probably the best memoir, sports book I have read..am a huge lover of quality sports writing; most of sports books written by former sportsmen serve as self-serving hagiographies ; I felt so much of a resonance with the opening chapters; his relationship with his father; i am amazed he was not broken by it ;let alone triumph; i am astonished he can view his past life with such painful honesty ..
Finished the book yesterday. In one word, unputdownable. Andre doesn't impose the fact that he is a legend; it grows into you. I loved the simplistic approach and the fact that Andre seemed no different than most of us. A celebrity sans all the pomp. I have started admiring him all the more. He is a great tennis palyer but a greater human being. I could relate to so many of his experiences and went 'hey thats what I keep saying or thinking!'A must must read.
Mod
Even I have started admiring him.
When he was in his prime I never used to follow his sports or antics - in fact I came to know he was called the 'bad boy' of tennis only through his biography.
Smitha wrote: "on reading his autobiography, you never know he was such a big legend, I feel he has focussed on his failures more. Even I have started admiring him.
When he was in his prime I never used to fol..."
Exactly. I have been busy checking out his website and the academy website as well where he has maintained a blog. And the photos in the book, wow! You can see the transformation in Andre as a person from his mullet rebel Andre to the bald composed Andre. My favourite was the family portrait :) I wish there were photos of Perry, Philly and J.P. too.
I'ven't got the book yet :'(
Now here's a shocker. Andre and his closest friend Perry have split! Was browsing for photos of Perry and Philly that I found this. Sharing the links here.http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/...
http://www.lvrj.com/news/agassi-book-...
Sherin wrote: "I'ven't got the book yet :'("i think Pari is to be blamed for that :)
Hey Pari , return the book so that sherin can get it :)
Mod
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/d..."
yes, I read of it. But there is no mention of this in his autobiography.
Smitha wrote: "Parikhit wrote: "Now here's a shocker. Andre and his closest friend Perry have split! Was browsing for photos of Perry and Philly that I found this. Sharing the links here.http://www.guardian.c..."
It seems this happened after the draft for the books was already prepared. Thats saddening. Perry and Andre were Krishna Sudama to me :(
Mod
Open is easily the best sports autobio I've read, not even because it is well written or I love tennis - but by sheer colorfulness of the character! Most imagine a professional tennis player to be rich, workaholic and loving the sport.
Agassi is all that, but more willing to get in touch wiht his human side. From his growing up days, to tennis practice to impress ball girl, to non-chalance of winning, to agony of defeat, to mistakes he's made - he drips of humanness. It is written (with assistance from JR Moehringer) in a friendly confessional tone that makes me imagine a drunken night out where this guy is narrating his story. That is much easier to connect and digest.
The tennis games that he describes gives insights into the working of a champion's mind that is truly fascinating. What goes through your mind when you are 2 sets down, about to lose the third and you refuse to give up? :) started looking at the figthing spirit in tennis with a whole new respect after reading this book.
The chapters with Steffi are easily pages out of sitcom script! And it could have easily be too. Brooke Shields phase, especially when things weren't working - much maturity on handling relationships. The evolution of his relationship with his dad has been shown beautifully and so was his friendship with Perry.
Overall the best book on sports I've read and I have read quite a few. For all those googling up Sampras's autobio - heard it is very very boring. Rafa too :(
Girish wrote: "Sorry, missed the forum after voting for a book i've read :DOpen is easily the best sports autobio I've read, not even because it is well written or I love tennis - but by sheer colorfulness of..."
I didn't know that Sampras had an autobio. Has he mentioned Agassi? Would like to know his views on Agassi. I had been reading the reviews of Rafa.
Mod
I just wanted to know what went on in his head. He is quite the "Mr. Cool"
The Sampras book offers few new insights; it is not worth the price of entry IMHO; He has praised and spoken highly of everyone in his book including Agassi, Becker, Ivanisevic,even Michael Chang; there is very little of what was going on inside Sampras' mind; lot of tedious descriptions of tennis games; does not even come close to Open; Haven't read the Rafa book want to read it;
Smitha wrote: "OH, Sampras boring????I just wanted to know what went on in his head. He is quite the "Mr. Cool""
Rafa is Rafael Nadal; He has written a new book Rafa
Ruchik wrote: "The Sampras book offers few new insights; it is not worth the price of entry IMHO; He has praised and spoken highly of everyone in his book including Agassi, Becker, Ivanisevic,even Michael Chang; ..."I read the reviews. Sampras' book seems too good to be true and he has written more on tennis than his personal experiences.
Mod
Its been such a while when I last logged on this site. Last time I checked out this group started book to read every month. I am so impressed how this group has evolved into such a literati tribe. I am considering a purchase of this book based on the reviews. Although I have played tennis but I am more interested in the persona of Andre Agassi.
Mod
So tell me how many are totally active in this group?
Prateek wrote: "So tell me how many are totally active in this group?"it varies by the day.. someday there will be few 10's of posts. some day it will be over 100 (am partly guilty for that ;)).
But i can tell you one thing. the no of people joining the group has been increasing from what i have seen in the past 5 months or so...it was around 1150+ then and now it is around 1575+
Vinoth wrote: "Prateek wrote: "So tell me how many are totally active in this group?"it varies by the day.. someday there will be few 10's of posts. some day it will be over 100 (am partly guilty for that ;))...."
Wow!!! that's a promising stat!! The more the merrier :)
The thread is open to discuss 'Open'... :)
Parikhit, take it from here on... :)