Salutations, Andre

In his forthcoming book, eight time Grand Slam winner (and owner of the so-called "career slam" for winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon, French Open and US Open) Andre Agassi admits to using crystal meth "a lot" beginning in 1997, when his career was at its nadir. His story, which is being excerpted in The Times, contains the following confession of his first experience with the drug, which was supplied to him by his assistant, known 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. 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 don't care to engage in speculation about what effect the drug use had on his career as a tennis superstar, good or bad. It also doesn't bother me in the least that Agassi admitted to lying to the men's governing body, the ATP, to escape a ban. We addicts know that lying goes part and parcel with drug use in a society that unjustly criminalizes a victimless personal choice. What I think is important about Agassi's words is the way in which he so beautifully describes the conflicting feelings and emotions that are implicit in the drug experience. Also, he doesn't meekly and dishonestly shy away - as so many "reformed" writer-addicts do - from telling his audience about the positive aspects of the meth experience.

I always admired Agassi as a player. He had the complete game, the total package whether serving, on the baseline or coming to the net. His fitness was second to none during his triumphant resurgence of the late 1990's and early 2000's. His demeanor (during that resurgence) was always gentlemanly and humble, which was a nice counterpoint to the bad boy image of his early career. But now I have a new, perhaps more important reason to respect him: his intellect and personal expression. Not many great athletes could make the important contribution to society that Agassi has in sharing his experience.