4. L'Enfant terrible grew up

I know very little about tennis and the industry around it, but I am fascinated by sports people. They are those who fight against their body limitations, follow the need to see what's next, how far can they go. Now that I fished reading the biography of Andre Agassi, ("Open. La Mia Storia" by Andre Agassi ) I can only say that the power to change the course of a life depends on so many variable but the most probable and positive outcome will be produced by self discipline, concentration and continuous practice. I felt many different emotions while reading his story, a real story as retold verbally by the author, registered on tapes , moved into transcripts and then edited so that it became an immersive experience. I almost heard him panting for breath, his pain while suffering his father's anger attacks as a child. I felt his indignation and rebelliousness. Him being uncomfortable with himself and hurting himself and at the same time, not knowing what else he could do with this life. I could hear his thoughts circulating around his mind life airplanes, the vacuum like concertation he could achieve later in life, as soon as he learned how to use his mind and also when he brought supportive, passionate near him. It's nearly impossible to do great things alone. Andre Agassi hated tennis. He made it very clear in this book and at the same time, he was obligated to make a success out of himself, be the best tennis player he could be. Why couldn't he simply give up ? Because of the circumstances, his upbringing, you will read about, (don't want to spoil you! you could read his letter addressed to his father at https://agassifoundation.org/dad/ ), and also he had a strong sense of responsibility. The fighter in him could not let go. How can a fighter ever give up the fight? To do what instead ? In such moments the doubt is not about the thing or activity in question but about a sense of self that is being lost. The self is dissolving. This loss is very scary. I know as I have been there myself. Besides accompanying Andre Agassi throughout his emotional journey, we get the chance to see what happens when a human decides that they will win, they will fight and survive the pain, doubts, mind wondering, loss, loneliness and even surplus and commodity. What happens is beautiful. A planet is set in motion by the law of physics. But only a determined human can take control of the forces influencing his life , shape them and learn to life with them. That is beautiful. It makes the fight worth fighting, life worth living. Andre Agassi fought, he fought so hard. Most of the time he fought with himself. He did not not care about the press, the world and it's opinions but many times those things made him doubt himself. He is an inspiring sportsmen and businessman who is now working to make the life of many other little fighters easier or let's say, give them a smoother start than his. Not having any formal education inspired him to help children get an education. Not for the thrill of it but because education means hope . A bright mind can see in the darkness. I personally relate to that deeply. My way out of poverty(of different kinds) is also based on education. In today's world: a puzzle in motion, with pieces floating all around, when it's getting harder to distinguish right from wrong, real from fake, what remains and has the power to lead us toward the light is our heart and mind. Godspeed for all fighters out there!