Agassi: Why I wrote my autobiography

Eight-time grand slam winner Andre Agassi has admitted that he lied to tennis authorities about his use of crystal meth in order to escape a ban. Agassi has sensationally revealed in a new book, that he used the highly-addictive drug in 1997 as he struggled with professional and personal issues. The 39-year-old had previously said he drunk a soda which was spiked by a one-time assistant called Slim. In his new autobiography he dispells that as a myth: "I feel ashamed, of course. I promise myself that this lie is the end of it." 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. 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the ATP reviewed his case and while he faced a minimum three-month ban, decided to believe his account and the case was withdrawn.

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ITN | October 28, 2009

Tags:. .course. .grand. .professional. .australian. .rankings