Andre Agassi

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By Trent Ogle · September 27, 2009 · 4:00 p.m.

Andre Agassi Foundation for Education red carpet.

Cast members of Thunder From Down Under and "Fantasy" at "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" at MGM Grand.

Star Surveillance: Andre Agassi, Shane Victorino, ‘Fantasy,’ Thunder: Monday, December 19, 2011; By Robin Leach; Tennis aces and Las Vegas residents Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf and Keep Memory Alive Foundation founder Larry Ruvo attended a holiday ...

The Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit gala at Wynn Las Vegas on Oct. 29, 2011. Steffi Graf, Agassi and Carrot Top are pictured here on the red carpet.

Grand Slam photos: An $18 million donation, a marriage proposal, Train: Tuesday, November 1, 2011; By Don Chareunsy; Oh, what a night! The 16th Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit gala and concert Saturday night at Wynn Las Vegas was memorable ...

Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children art unveiling at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy on Oct. 28, 2011.

Photos: Art is unveiled at Agassi Prep for tennis legend’s 2011 Grand Slam: Saturday, October 29, 2011; By Robin Leach; As is hometown hero and tennis legend Andre Agassi’s tradition the night before his star-studded Grand Slam for Children benefit at the Wynn, he unveiled the ...

The Canadian Tenors flank Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf on the Andre Agassi Grand Slam red carpet at the Wynn on Oct. 9, 2010.

Celebrity preview: Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam with Michael Buble, Martina McBride, Train, Smokey Robinson: Friday, October 28, 2011; By Robin Leach; It isn’t all about ghosts and goblins this Halloween weekend, as Las Vegas has many alternative entertainment choices to combat the evil ...

Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi on the Andre Agassi Grand Slam red carpet at the Wynn on Oct. 9, 2010.

Andre Agassi focuses on U.S. education efforts after Las Vegas success: Wednesday, October 26, 2011; By Robin Leach; Tennis champion and hometown hero Andre Agassi will see his ultimate dream come true at Saturday night’s 16th Grand Slam charity event ...

Andre Agassi waves to the crowd after defeating Jim Courier during the Las Vegas stop of the 2011 Champions Series Tennis tournament Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011.

Andre Agassi thrives on the court, as host of legends tennis series: Sunday, October 16, 2011; By Ray Brewer; When Andre Agassi took two straight points Saturday against Pete Sampras during a tennis exhibition at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Las Vegas native Agassi jokingly had a message for his longtime rival. “You used to be so good. What happened to you,” Agassi said.

Tennis great Andre Agassi holds his plaque as he is inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., on Saturday, July 9, 2011.

Agassi looking forward to being in front of local tennis fans: tennis:; Friday, October 14, 2011; By Ray Brewer; Andre Agassi will have a short commute to work this week. The Las Vegas resident will be at the Thomas & Mack Center for his next match.

Michael Buble performs at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Aug. 27, 2011.

Andre Agassi Grand Slam lineup includes Michael Buble, Train, Smokey Robinson, Martina McBride: Wednesday, September 14, 2011; By Robin Leach; Hometown tennis legend Andre Agassi announced this morning that Michael Buble, Jimmy Kimmel, Martina McBride, Smokey Robinson and ...

Miss America Teresa Scanlan receives a key to the city from Mayor Carolyn Goodman on Sept. 8, 2011.

Photos: Is Miss America Teresa Scanlan a future president?: Friday, September 9, 2011; By Robin Leach; Reigning Miss America Teresa Scanlan returned to her Planet Hollywood victory headquarters yesterday eight months after she was crowned there and told ...

Strip Scribbles: Tennis series features Agassi, McEnroe, Sampras, Chang: Friday, August 12, 2011; By Robin Leach; It will be the tennis event of the decade that no enthusiast of the sport will want to miss, and, with John McEnroe competing against arch-nemesis ...

Patrons step up to the bar and fill the dance floor at Pure in Caesars Palace.

Charges fly among Las Vegas nightclub investors: Wednesday, August 10, 2011; By Steve Green; Infighting among investors in the Pure nightclub empire in Las Vegas is escalating, with a new lawsuit demanding that the company’s CEO be removed and the firm be placed under control of a receiver.

Color Splash is one of five art classes offered at Kidville.

Tivoli Village to feature learning center for young children: Wednesday, August 3, 2011; By Aida Ahmed; A children’s facility that combines the serious learning of preschool and the fun and games of birthday venues such as My Gym and Chuck E. Cheese’s is opening in Tivoli Village.

Andre Agassi with Las Vegas dance crew The Prodigy.

Las Vegas dance crew The Prodigy wins USA Hip Hop Dance Championship: Wednesday, July 27, 2011; By Don Chareunsy; The Prodigy became the first dance crew from Las Vegas to win the USA Hip Hop Dance Championship yesterday at Red Rock Resort in the event’s ...

Andre Agassi, seen here at graduation for the Class of 2011 at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, is focusing some of his energy on inspiring the students and helping promote the school.

Andre Agassi making children champions: Tennis icon maintaining an active role in helping inspire academy students; Friday, July 8, 2011; By Ray Brewer; Andre Agassi was preparing to face longtime tennis rival and friend Pete Sampras in February during an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden in New York. But before he took to the court, the Las Vegas native had a phone call to make.

Andre Agassi and Billie Jean King during the Class of 2011 graduation at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy on June 11, 2011.

Photos: Billie Jean King serves aces; Teller on high wire at 'Absinthe': Sunday, June 12, 2011; By Robin Leach; When tennis legend and ace Billie Jean King gave the commencement speech to Andre Agassi’s 2011 graduating class at his College Preparatory ...

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Of tanking, drugs and 'Slim': In 'Open,' Andre Agassi beats the odds

Andre Agassi discusses his memoir Open: An Autobiography with ESPN's Rick Reilly at the Encore Theater at the Wynn on Nov. 9, 2009.

Updated November 11, 2009 (2:03 p.m.) 4

Not many celebrities can own up to using crystal meth, giving up in big matches and failing drug tests with no penalty. But Andre Agassi is not a typical celebrity.

Andre Agassi

Occupation: Philanthropist/retired professional tennis player
Years as pro: 1986-2006
Web pages: Andre Agassi Foundation; Association of Tennis Professionals
Birthday:April 4, 1970, Las Vegas
Early life: He was born to an Olympian who emigrated to the U.S.: Emmanuel "Mike" Agassi, who represented Iran in boxing at the 1948 and 1952 games. At the age of 13, he attended Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy in Florida. Bollettieri was so impressed he let him attend for free. He turned pro at the age of 16 and ended his second year, 1987, ranked at No. 25 in the World.
Early career: With long hair and a rebel image, he was known for wearing colorful shirts and an earring. His breakthrough year was 1988, when he won six titles and finished the year at No. 3.
Honors: He won eight Grand Slam singles tournments - four Australian Opens, one French Open, one Wimbledon and two U.S. Opens. He also won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He was ranked No. 1 in the World in 1999 after becoming only one of five players in the game to win all four Grand Slam singles in a career.
Philanthropy: In 1994, Agassi founded the Andre Agassi Foundation for the purpose of improving the lives of "at-risk" children through its support of recreational and educational programs. In 2001, the Agassi Foundation opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a K-12 public charter school located in Las Vegas' most "at-risk" neighborhood.

Dawn Gibbons: Andre Agassi disclosure 'huge' in fight against meth abuse

Andre Agassi speaks after a loss at the 1997 U.S. Open in New York. His autobiography contains an admission that he used crystal meth that year.

Updated October 30, 2009 (11:36 a.m.) 10

Dawn Gibbons' Crystal Darkness program has spanned 27 states and Mexico, and she says Andre Agassi could use his disclosure that he used crystal meth in his career as a way to help others stay away from, or recover from, the highly addictive drug.

The Kats Report

Agassi as a politician? He's not (yet) ready to serve

Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi arrive at the 14th annual Andre Agassi Foundation for Education's Grand Slam for Children benefit at Wynn Las Vegas.

Updated September 28, 2009 (11:41 a.m.) 3

During a brief chat at the table of Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid at the Grand Slam for Children, Andre Agassi said he hadn't been approached about running for public office for at least several hours.