Apple TV announces major documentary series about Andre Agassi Apfelpatient

Apple TV is working on a new multi-part documentary series about the life of Andre Agassi. The series will focus on the complete story of one of the most famous figures in international tennis. It will not only depict his sporting achievements but also the personal conflicts and upheavals that shaped Agassi's life over many years. This continues Apple TV's strategy of presenting well-known biographies in in-depth documentary formats.

The series was announced exactly sixteen years after the publication of *Open: An Autobiography*. The book remains one of the most important sports books in American literature. Shortly after its release, it reached number one on the *New York Times* bestseller list. Its success was primarily due to the unusually candid portrayal of Agassi's life. He described not only titles and fame, but also self-doubt, identity issues, and his occasional drug use. This honest perspective forms the basis for the new Apple TV+ documentary.

An extraordinary tennis career

Andre Agassi's professional career spanned more than twenty years. It began in the late 1980s and lasted until the mid-2000s. During this time, he won eight Grand Slam singles titles, achieving the so-called Career Grand Slam. This places him among a very small group of players who have won all four Grand Slam tournaments at least once.

In addition, Agassi spent a total of 101 weeks at the top of the world rankings. Despite these sporting achievements, his career was marked by significant fluctuations. There were periods of great dominance, but also times of injuries, slumps in form, and setbacks that at times dropped him far down the world rankings.

Content and focus of the Apple TV series

Apple describes the planned documentary series as a compelling, complex, and inspiring story about an American sports legend. The focus is not only on his sporting achievements but on Andre Agassi's entire life journey, including his early fame, the public pressure, how he dealt with expectations, and his personal struggles off the tennis court.

A specific release date has not yet been announced. This suggests that the project is still in its early stages and it will be some time before the series appears on Apple TV.

Production and people involved

The series is directed by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Chris Smith and produced by Smith's production company, Library Films. Stacy Smith and Justin Gimelstob serve as executive producers.

This is Chris Smith's second collaboration with Apple TV. He previously directed the three-part documentary series Hollywood Con Queen, which was released in 2024.

Outside of Apple TV, Smith is also responsible for numerous well-known documentary projects. These include Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond and Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, both produced for Netflix. He also served as a co-producer on the successful Netflix series Tiger King.

Apple TV as a platform

Apple TV is currently available for €9.99 per month. In addition to documentaries, the streaming service offers a growing selection of series and films. Among the best-known titles are Severance, The Morning Show, Shrinking, and Silo. With the planned Agassi documentary, Apple TV is further expanding its offering of high-quality biographies.

Apple TV: A comprehensive look at the life and career of Andre Agassi

The announced documentary series about Andre Agassi aims to comprehensively illuminate the life of one of tennis's most influential figures. Apple TV is committed to a detailed portrayal that considers both his sporting achievements and personal crises. While a release date is still pending, the choice of director and the thematic foundation suggest that a detailed and honest exploration of Agassi's life story can be expected. (Image: Apple)