Agassi dealing with family’s health woes

Victoria Sun

Thursday, Aug. 31, 2000 | 10:30 a.m.

Andre Agassi's mother, Elizabeth, was released from a local hospital Wednesday after being treated for a blood clot related to breast cancer.

"She's fine," said Rita Agassi, Andre's sister. "She's OK.

"She's home now. I'm very relieved. Hopefully, everything will be fine now."

Andre Agassi, the top seed at the U.S. Open, was scheduled to play his second-round match against Arnaud Clement today.

The health of his mother and sister has become a major topic at the Open -- and not everybody's happy about it.

In an interview with CBS Sports' Mary Carillo, Agassi revealed late Tuesday night that he has been having trouble concentrating on tennis because his mom, who Rita says prefers to be called Betty, and his youngest sister, Tami, both have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Tami played on the UNLV women's tennis team in 1988.

"It has been a difficult year in many respects with my sister having breast cancer, and my mom was diagnosed with it just a month ago," Andre Agassi told Carillo. "It hasn't been easy, but in many ways it has gotten the family stronger and close.

"And it has given me perspective, that unfortunately sometimes only tragedies can bring, that I am trying to utilize in a positive way. My concentration hasn't been the easiest, but I think it is getting better."

The fact that Carillo prompted Agassi to go public about his mother and sister's health angered his coach, Brad Gilbert. After a practice session Wednesday, Gilbert tersely addressed the subject.

"I think Mary asked him on the court the other night," Gilbert said. "She shouldn't have done that.

"The reporting here should be about tennis, not about his personal life. Anybody that is going through personal tragedy with their family likes to keep that to themselves. I find it generally rude for people to ask him about it."

But Rita Agassi blames her brother more than she does Carillo.

"He shouldn't have said anything about it," Rita said. "It's very, very personal.

"It's their illness and I wouldn't feel right talking about it. It's like if someone talked about me having a tumor. I don't think they want people talking about them. It's better to ask them about it."

Rita, a teaching pro at Bally's, has been estranged from Andre for many years. She cited personal reasons for their rocky relationship.

"I can't stand him," she said. "His name is not allowed to be said on my court. There is no water under the bridge or over the bridge. There is no bridge.

"It's not that I wish him harm. I hope he has a good life. Just a life away from mine."