Agassi admits to losing 1996 Oz Open semi-finals deliberately

LOS ANGELES - Former tennis great Andre Agassi has admitted in his biography that he lost the 1996 Australian semi-finals to Michael Chang on purpose so that he would not have to face Becker in the final.

The former world No. 1 makes the claim under the subject of tanking, a term for deliberately losing, in his autobiography “Open” which has caused ructions globally because of Agassi’s revelations of drug abuse.

“It’s (tanking) almost harder than winning. You have to lose in such a way that the crowd can’t tell,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Agassi admits he held a grudge against Becker, claiming the German once blew kisses at his former wife, Brooke Shields.

Agassi blamed the windy conditions for the Melbourne Park loss to Chang, a man he dominated with 15 wins from 22 matches.

“It was very one-sided. I know when I have the wind at my back, I can abuse a lot of players, it’s quite easy,” Agassi said.

Agassi said he resented Chang’s habit of thanking God in victory.

He also said that he struggled to reconcile with Chang’s 1989 French Open triumph. (ANI)