Coming this Thursday, tennis star Andre Agassi will answer the public’s questions on his new autobiography that has made waves. He’ll take part in an online chat at Tennischannel.com.
But before that, he’ll be on Tennis Channel tonight to talk about the book and his life. Take a look at the press release.
ANDRE AGASSI TO ANSWER FANS’ QUESTIONS
DURING LIVE WEB CHAT ON WWW.TENNISCHANNEL.COM
Tennis Channel’s Online Visitors Can Pose Questions to Retired Superstar Nov. 19 at 1:15 p.m. ET, in Conjunction with the Release of his Autobiography, Open
Q&A Session Follows Half-Hour Interview on Tennis Channel
Tonight at 9 p.m. ET and Online Signed Book Raffle
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2009 – Tennis Channel will give fans direct access to retired star Andre Agassi during an exclusive, live Web chat on www.tennischannel.com Thursday, Nov. 19, at 1:15 p.m. ET. Agassi, an iconic tennis champion whose popularity and public image kept him in the mainstream of American sports for two decades of professional play, will be available to answer questions about his career, the state of tennis today and his revealing autobiography, Open, released by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, last week.
In addition to www.tennischannel.com, Agassi will appear on the network this evening, at 9 p.m. ET in a 30-minute interview in which he discusses, among other things, his recreational drug use during the low point of his career. He also details his longtime hatred for his sport, relationship with rival champion Pete Sampras and all-time worst moment on a tennis court. This week and next, the network’s daily Court Report news segments are focusing on Agassi as well.
“I look forward to talking directly with Tennis Channel Web visitors and answering whatever questions they have for me,” said Agassi. “It’s always fun to spend time with people who are passionate about this sport and to share in how it also impacts their lives.”
In conjunction with the launch of Agassi’s autobiography, Tennis Channel is giving away 10 copies of Open, each signed by the author. Fans can enter the free raffle on the network’s home page, with the registration period ending on Friday, Nov. 20. Tennis Channel is also re-airing its original documentary film Agassi: Between the Lines this Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. ET. Created in the year following Agassi’s retirement, the retrospective covers the almost mythological “hero’s journey” quality to his career and life overall.
Three years after his final match as a professional tennis player Agassi remains one of the most popular, charismatic athletes in sports. His on-court achievements and ongoing media presence captured the imagination of tennis fans around the world, who followed his tremendous journey from rising young star to the world’s top player, only to tumble all the way out of the top-100 rankings and begin anew. Along the way Agassi grew from a brash, unconventional young player to the respected, elder statesman he is known as today, a revered champion who both elevated and transcended the game.
Beyond collecting eight Grand Slam singles championships, Agassi is the only player in tennis’ Open Era to have won every Grand Slam singles title, the Tennis Masters Cup, Davis Cup and Olympic Gold Medal. He is just as accomplished – if not more – in the educational foundation he established in 1994, which to date has channeled tens of millions of dollars toward transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. In 2009, the foundation’s school, The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, commenced its initial graduating class, which boasted a 100-percent graduation and college acceptance rate.
I give credit to Andre for his candor regarding his drug use and what his father did to him. Not easy to admit and I’m not in the camp condemning him. I know many people are not happy with Andre’s revelation, but it’s cathartic to him.
