‘Forced Into the Game by Kind of an Abusive…’- When Chris Evert Empathized With Andre Agassi After His Brutal Revelation About His Father

Andre Agassi, one of the greatest tennis players of all time came out and expressed his dislike for the sport after retiring. The news took the world by storm as no one expected that such a top-tier player could dislike the sport in which he excelled immensely.

Chris Evert talked about it in a podcast and the role his father played in making Agassi feel this way. The eight-time grand slam champion had frequent outbursts on the court. He agreed by the end of his career he felt severely burnt out.

Chris Evert on Andre Agassi and his dislike for the game

American tennis legend, Chris Evert attributed her father’s zeal to train her. This formed the base years of the player who further went on to become one of the greatest tennis players in the world.

She then talked about Andre Agassi, who had come out with his dislike for the sport in his book, ‘Open’. Evert said in a podcast, “He was forced into the game by kind of an abusive father.”

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Though she did not read the book, she understood his emotions behind feeling the way that he did. She said, “So, he was forced into the game; he was resentful, but he couldn’t talk because his father would hit him or whatever.”

Furthermore, she said, “Then I think he got to a point where he was stuck, where he couldn’t get out of it. It wasn’t his choice.”

How did Agassi play then?

Finally, when he could make a decision, he had aged and regarding this Evert said, “When he got old enough to be his choice, he was stuck. He was in a world that he didn’t know how to get out of.” She elaborated on the reasons behind his good game. Evert said, “He played by anger within him, maybe.”

Andre Agassi became one of the few players to win a career Grand Slam. Moreover, he has eight grand slam titles under his name.  Further on, he won 60 singles titles during his career. He is now one of the most celebrated tennis players in America.

READ MORE: ‘I Was Harder on Myself’ – Andre Agassi’s Painful Revelation About How Father’s Dominance Changed His Attitude Forever