It was 12 years ago today, on November 10, 1997, when the ATP computer rankings are released and Andre Agassi sits ranked at No. 141, his lowest since August 4, 1986. This week also marks the 12th anniversary of Agassi competing on the “challenger circuit” – the minor leagues of pro tennis – in an attempt to return to the top levels of pro tennis. Agassi’s drop in the rankings comes at a time, when, as revealed in his new book OPEN (click here to but the book), Agassi was taking the drug crystal meth. Agassi’s “lost” 1997 season features opening round losses in eight of his 12 events, while missing three of the four major tournaments.
Writes Agassi in OPEN, “I’m ranked number 141 in the world, the lowest I’ve been ranked in my adult life, the lowest I’ve dreamed of being ranked. Sportswriters say I’m humbled. They love saying this. They couldn’t’ be more wrong. I was humbled in the hotel room with Brad (Gilbert). I was humbled smoking meth with Slim. Now I’m just glad to be out here.”
As documented in the book ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.TennisHistoryBook.com), on November 11, Agassi defeats Michael Tebbutt of Australia 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Luxor Challenger in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nev., his first of two challenger events. Says the 27-year-old Agassi after the win, “I feel like this is a step for me, and it’s part of my preparation in hopes of really getting myself back to where I know I can be. My shots haven’t gone anywhere. …I think since the summer of the Olympics, Cincinnati and the U.S. Open (in 1996) was the last stretch of really great tennis I’ve played. Since then, my foot speed lacked a little bit, which I’m starting to get back … once the footwork comes back and I’m in position, I’ve still got great shots….It feels good for me to come out here and grind it out with the boys. If I can get a day better every day, that’s all I can ask for.”
Agassi reaches the final of the event, where he is surprisingly defeated by No. 202-ranked Christian Vinck of Germany 6-2, 7-5 in final “I have my goals long-term, and this week was assisting me to getting there,” he says after the final. “I can’t start questioning the big picture because of this. It’s ridiculous. That’s what the press’ job is. For me, it’s just to go one at a time.”
Agassi re-dedicates himself to the game and returns to the No. 1 world ranking on July 5, 1999 – four weeks after winning the 1999 French Open and completing a career sweep of all four major championships.