Optimise Your Life

Number 39:  Andre Agassi

Who:  Tennis great  

Why:  Cheating the system — and getting away with it 

Do

Do: Remember, timing is everything. Agassi’s recent drugs ‘scandal’ happily coincides with the release of his autobiography. Admitting to using crystal meth on the cover of America’s popular People magazine, followed up by admission of pre-tournament amphetamine use, and lying to cover it up, ensures more people will buy his book.

Do: Suck it up. In his book, Agassi says he has always hated playing tennis but a forceful father pushed him to continue the sport. While the idea of a man spending all of his young adult life doing something he hates is depressing, the $31 million tennis earned him should help make the rest of his days more palatable.

Do: Cultivate a persona. Agassi’s reputation as a phenomenal player was enhanced by his flamboyant hairstyles, making him a household name.  

Don’t 

Don’t: Take things too far. Agassi understood that the drug use would be a problem for his career, and he had nearly a decade of successful playing left after he stopped.

Don’t: Admit anything. Agassi explained away his positive drug test with the somewhat fanciful story of unwittingly consuming soda laced with drugs, and then asked for the tennis organisation’s understanding. Honest it was not, but he continued to have a successful career.

Don’t: Concentrate on your flaws. The now publicly bald Agassi recounted sending his brother on hairpin finding missions before an important tournament in France. Instead of worrying about his mohawk weave coming out, he should have been worrying about winning.