Agassi admits to using crystal meth and lying to authorities

ANDRE AGASSI’S autobiography contains an admission that he used crystal meth in 1997 and lied to tennis authorities when he failed a drug test — a result that was thrown out after he said he “unwittingly” took the substance.

According to an excerpt of the autobiography published yesterday in The Times, the eight-time Grand Slam champion writes that he sent a letter to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour to explain the positive test, saying he drank from a soda spiked with meth by his assistant “Slim”.

“Then I come to the central lie of the letter,” Agassi writes. “I say that recently I drank accidentally from one of Slim’s spiked sodas, unwittingly ingesting his drugs. I ask for understanding and leniency and hastily sign it: Sincerely.

“I feel ashamed, of course. I promise myself that this lie is the end of it.”

Agassi said the ATP reviewed the case, accepted his explanation and threw it out. The tour responded with a statement , noting an independent panel makes the final decision on a doping violation. The International Tennis Federation said it was “surprised and disappointed” by Agassi’s revelations.

Agassi retired in 2006. Excerpts from his autobiography, which comes out on November 9, are being published this week in the London newspaper, as well as Sports Illustrated and People magazines.

In a story on People magazine’s website on Tuesday, Agassi says: “I can’t speak to addiction, but a lot of people would say that if you’re using anything as an escape, you have a problem.”

According to the Times of London, Agassi writes in his book that “Slim” was the person who introduced him to crystal meth.

“I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I’ve just crossed,” Agassi writes.

“There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I’ve never felt so alive, so hopeful — and I’ve never felt such energy.”

“I’m seized by a desperate desire to clean. I go tearing around my house, cleaning it from top to bottom. I dust the furniture. I scour the tub. I make the beds.”

In a posting on People’s website, Agassi says he “was worried for a moment, but not for long,” about how fans would react.