Open By Andre Agassi – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Open By Andre Agassi

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2009

88%

WISE Score

The gold standard for sports memoirs: a raw, beautifully written survival story about a man who conquered a sport he absolutely loathed.

Open By Andre Agassi

book

2009

88%

WISE Score

The gold standard for sports memoirs: a raw, beautifully written survival story about a man who conquered a sport he absolutely loathed.

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Screenwise Verdict

If you only read one sports memoir, make it this one. Open is less about tennis and more about the crushing weight of expectations and the messy process of figuring out who you are when the world has already decided for you. It’s rare to find a celebrity this vulnerable, especially one who admits to hating the very thing that made them famous.

For parents of competitive athletes, this is essential reading. It’s a cautionary tale about the 'win at all costs' mentality, but it’s also a masterclass in resilience. Just be aware that it doesn't pull punches—the language is real, the drug use is a major turning point, and the resentment is palpable. It's a heavy lift for younger kids, but for teens, it's a total page-turner.

Age Fit

Best for 14 and up. While a sports-obsessed 12-year-old could handle it, the heavy psychological themes and the drug-use subplot are much better suited for high schoolers who can appreciate the nuance of a mid-life crisis.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The book eventually lands in a place of philanthropy and healthy partnership, but the bulk of it is a raw look at resentment, a fractured relationship with a demanding father, and self-destructive behavior.

Imaginative

While a memoir, the prose (ghostwritten by J.R. Moehringer) is incredibly vivid, turning tennis matches into psychological thrillers and internal monologues into high drama.

Safe

It's a book, so no jump scares, but it contains candid descriptions of crystal meth use, profanity, and significant emotional intensity regarding parental pressure.

Enriching

One of the best character studies in sports history. It deconstructs the 'glamour' of professional success and offers profound insights into resilience and finding purpose outside of one's talent.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Brutal honesty that blows past the typical 'I worked hard and won' sports cliches.
World-class writing courtesy of J.R. Moehringer, who makes the internal psychological battle of a tennis match feel like a war movie.
Deeply humanizing look at fame, showing how Agassi struggled with everything from hair loss to his own public image.
Redemptive arc that moves from a chaotic youth to a meaningful life focused on education and philanthropy.

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What to Watch For

The crystal meth usage in the late 90s is a central plot point; it's handled with regret but described with enough detail that you'll want to be ready for the conversation.
Agassi’s father is a terrifying figure in the early chapters, bordering on abusive in his pursuit of his son's success.
There is salty language throughout—nothing gratuitous, but it's the way professional athletes actually talk.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Andre hated tennis so much even though he was one of the best in the world at it?"
"His father pushed him incredibly hard—where is the line between 'encouraging talent' and 'stealing a childhood'?"
"Andre spent a lot of time and money on a hairpiece to hide his balding. Why do you think he was so afraid of people seeing the real him?"
"If you could be the #1 person in the world at something you hated, would you do it?"

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