Agassi admits drugs use

Eight-time grand slam winner Andre Agassi has admitted in a new book that he lied to tennis authorities about his use of crystal methamphetamine in order to escape a ban.

Agassi, whose autobiography 'Open' is set to be released next month, has sensationally revealed that he used the highly-addictive drug in 1997 as he struggled with professional and personal issues.

Agassi also revealed that he failed a drug test that year but managed to convince the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) not to punish him after writing a letter to argue the use was accidental.

The 39-year-old, who retired in 2006, recounted being introduced to the drug while sitting at home with his one-time assistant who he referred to as Slim.

'Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table. He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've just crossed,' Agassi wrote in his book which is being serialised in The Times.

'There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful - and I've never felt such energy.

'I'm seized by a desperate desire to clean. I go tearing around my house, cleaning it from top to bottom. I dust the furniture. I scour the tub. I make the beds.'

Agassi revealed he received a call from a doctor working for the ATP in the autumn of 1997 to inform him that he had failed a drug test.

That year was the American's worst on tour as he failed to win a title and missed the Australian and French Opens as well as Wimbledon - and at one point had fallen to 141 in the world rankings.

'My name, my career, everything is now on the line. Whatever I've achieved, whatever I've worked for, might soon mean nothing,' Agassi wrote.

'Days later I sit in a hard-backed chair, a legal pad in my lap, and write a letter to the ATP. It's filled with lies interwoven with bits of truth.

'I say Slim, whom I've since fired, is a known drug user, and that he often spikes his sodas with meth - which is true. Then I come to the central lie of the letter.

'I say that recently I drank accidentally from one of Slim's spiked sodas, unwittingly ingesting his drugs. I ask for understanding and leniency and hastily sign it: Sincerely.

'I feel ashamed, of course. I promise myself that this lie is the end of it.'

Agassi said the ATP reviewed his case and while he faced a minimum three-month ban, decided to believe his account and the case was withdrawn.

Asked how he thought his fans would react if they found out he was using drugs, Agassi said: 'I was worried for a moment, but not for long - I wore my heart on my sleeve and my emotions were always written on my face. I was actually excited about telling the world the whole story.'