The American tennis legend had to wait four years, which included a stint outside the top, to finally lift the most important title of his career and complete the prestigious career Grand Slam at the French Open in 1999.
After winning three Grand Slams by 1995, with one each at Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open, the French Open was the only major missing from Agassi’s trophy cabinet.
And after losing two French Open finals in 1990 and 1992, it felt like he was never going to win the clay major in his career.
His hopes of winning the major took a major dent in 1997, when he reached the lowest point of his career due to off-court issues and injuries.
In 1997, Agassi only played 24 matches due to a problem with his wrist but also a situation surrounding him failing an ATP drug test.
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He tested positive for crystal meth and at the time penned a letter claiming a friend had spiked his drink, the governing body then dropped the failed test and gave him warning.
Later in his autobiography he would admit that letter was a lie but he did quit the drug soon after.
“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.
