Open: An Autobiography
Open is a book about Andre Agassi's childhood, his career and his (two) marriages.
Summary
I feel the book is quite interesting (as a biography), especially in the opening, his childhood and the story about his second wife.
As for playing tennis (as recreational player), quote from his coach Brad Gilbert (author of Winning Ugly:
P187 You don't have to be the best in the world every time you go out there. You just have to be better than one guy. Instead of you succeeding, make him fail. Better yet, let him fail.
Links
Quotes
In his final match
P4 Hate brings me to my knees, love gets me on my feet
P8 Every match is a life in miniature
P23 Your body is like the federal government. It says, do anything you like, but when you get caught, don't lie to me
He doesn't really like tennis as a child
P33 When I was three he gave me a sawed-off racket and told me to hit whatever I wanted. I specialized in salt shakers. I liked serving them through glass window. I aced the dog. My father never got mad. He got mad about many things, but never about hitting something hard with a racket
When people asked him about Federer after their match
P370 Most people have weaknesses. Federer has none.
In the change room after his final match
P378 I tell the players: You'll hear a lot of applause in your life, fellas, but none will mean more to you than the applause --- from your peers. I hope each of you hears that at the end.
Jimmy Connors
P378 Only one man remains apart, refusing to applaud. Connors. ... It makes me laugh. I can only admire that Connors is who he is, still that he never changes. We should all be so true to ourselves, so consistent.