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Sports
Nov. 06, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Agassi hurt by Navratilova likening him to Clemens

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Andre Agassi
Tennis star tells '60 Minutes' he has no regrets about revealing use of crystal meth

NEW YORK -- Andre Agassi responded to criticism of his crystal meth use with a plea for compassion, telling "60 Minutes" he needed help when he took the drug while depressed in 1997.

Discussing his new autobiography, Agassi became emotional when reacting to comments by Martina Navratilova, who compared him to Roger Clemens.

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    • "It's what you don't want to hear," Agassi told interviewer Katie Couric. "I would hope along with that would come some compassion that maybe this person doesn't need condemnation. Maybe this person could stand a little help. Because that was at a time in my life when I needed help.

    "I had a problem, and there might be many other athletes out there that test positive for recreational drugs that have a problem. So I would ask for some compassion."

    CBS released excerpts from the interview Thursday and will broadcast it Sunday night.

    In his book "Open," which goes on sale Monday, the eight-time Grand Slam champion says he used crystal meth in 1997 and failed a drug test -- a result he says was thrown out after he lied by saying he unwittingly took the substance.

    In an interview last week, Navratilova said she was shocked Agassi lied about the drug use. She compared him to Clemens, who has repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs, countering claims by his former personal trainer.

    Agassi told "60 Minutes" he has no regrets about his disclosures.

    "I had way more to lose by telling this story in its full transparency than I had to gain," Agassi said. "The part that I worry and think more about is who this may help."

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    Besh Cooper wrote on November 06, 2009 04:21 PM: If you do not want to hear the people's thoughts then why write your book?
    Only positive reactions is unrealistic.

    I am let down when people on here do not realize that I am a genius yet I do not make a big deal out of it.
    I keep my opinion to myself about how awesome I am and I keep on posting.


    serious wrote on November 06, 2009 12:58 PM: Andre coming clean is a sad, sad story. Why say anything now...his career is over, and there are so many youngsters that look up to him who will be saddened to learn about the 'real' Andre. I also think it is terrible to hear him criticize his Father...his Dad made him the star he became, and be able to enjoy the riches of his life. Keep your secrets secret!


    Ken wrote on November 06, 2009 10:03 AM: You mean Perry 'Smithers' Rogers. I only wonder what the sanctimonious Jim Rogers thinks about his son keeping his mouth shut all these years. This is a family that is so quick to tell the rest of us how to live our lives yet made scratch off the back of a wig wearing meth addict.

    Speaking of which, Martina Navratilova should be comparing him to Rue Paul and not Clemens.


    tbvegas wrote on November 06, 2009 09:15 AM: Agassi made the disclosure before Perry "Slim" Rogers did in his book. Agassi will do anything to stop Perry from profiting from him these days.