Andre Agassi shook the world when he released his book, ‘Open’ in 2009. His raw confession about disliking tennis and his father being a strict and dominant character in his life shook the world. In an old interview with his father, Emmanuel Agassi, who was also an Iranian boxer, he opened up about his ways with his son. Not just that, he sent a message to all the parents around the world who left their kids at the whims of coaches.

Agassi opened up about the strict regime he had set up for him since he was a kid and eventually he could not quit the sport after a time.

Father of Andre Agassi on having a no-joke attitude while training

Andre Agassi has become one of the most celebrated tennis players of all time. But his shocking confession of not liking tennis in his book took million aback. The player was made to train under a strict routine under his father since he was young.

In an old interview, the reporter posed questions about Agassi, his father said, “Was I a tyrant? Yes. Was I tough and severe? Yes.” However, he backed his argument by stating that it was all for his son’s growth. He said, “But I repeat: better a father, a parent, alongside his sporting son, than a coach.” 

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He did not leave it up to just that. Emmanuel Agassi conveyed a message to other parents. He said, “And indeed to today’s parents, I say rebel.” He was against the control of coaches who could not commit to it, unless for money. He stated, “Don’t let your kids be stolen by technical centers, specialized schools, gurus. They love by contract, if they do it, not by blood.”

Emmanuel Agassi wanted another one of his children to succeed

The Iranian boxer had spotted potential in his eldest daughter, Rita. He wanted to work with her and wanted to make her a tennis legend like his son. However, she got married to American tennis champion, Pancho Gonzales. This infuriated Rita’s father who had accused Gonzales of wasting the potential of his daughter, Rita.

READ MORE: ‘Pushed Her Away From Me’ – Andre Agassi’s Father Once Narrated Painful Tale of How an American Tennis Star ‘Ruined’ Her Daughter’s Life

Andre Agassi after a failed marriage with actress Brooke Shields married German tennis legend, Steffi Graf. Now, the couple stays pretty much out of the spotlight and is glad that none of their kids chose tennis as a career.