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| The Rubicon he crossed | |
| Suveen K Sinha / New Delhi November 1, 2009, 0:21 IST | |
Why is Andre Agassi coming clean about his dalliance with drugs?
A few days ago, crystal meth did not mean any thing. Today, it is easily identifiable as a recreational drug that appears very-very tempting.
There are various issues of debate over Andre Agassi’s confession that he took the drug in 1997 and, when caught and facing a ban, lied to the Association of Tennis Professionals, the governing body of men’s tennis, that he took it accidentally while consuming a drink that was spiked with it.
In his autobiography, Open, the winner of eight grand slam tournaments candidly describes being introduced to the drug in 1997, when he was coping with the break-up of his marriage with Brooke Shields.
Among the top players, Federer and Nadal criticised Agassi, Roddick said Agassi remained an idol, while Serena Williams said she did not have much to say on the subject but that people should buy her own forthcoming book.
Umpire’s Post will leave the ethical and moral issues to the evolved souls; he is struck by the vivid detail in which Agassi describes the experience. Referring to his initiation by Slim, his assistant, Agassi says: “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.”
Several celebrities, including US President Barack Obama, have talked about their dalliances with drugs. Typically, they tend to be brief and full of regret. Agassi makes it appear heady and uplifting. Having gone to college when the drug threat was looming on the campus and the “say no to drugs” campaign was all over television, your columnist is for the first time wondering whether it was worth a try.
So why did Agassi rake up an issue that was dead and buried? Surely, it would give him no new glory. If anything, it would only diminish his status as one of the most popular players ever and a role model. Is he getting guilt pangs 12 years after the deed and three years after quitting the game? That would be convenient, knowing that no action can now be taken against him.
With no answer coming forth, sneaking suspicion fills the void. Is this a ploy to sell his book? Did the publisher insist on a shocking revelation in the contract? Or, has Agassi become the secret brand ambassador for crystal meth? Now, where does one find some of it?
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