Editor's note: The Bee's Paul Bauman wrote an unauthorized biography of Andre Agassi, "Agassi & Ecstasy," published in 1997.

The book title "Agassi & Ecstasy" was a pun on the 1960s novel and movie about Michelangelo, "The Agony and the Ecstasy."

Given Andre Agassi's recent admission of recreational drug use the same year the biography of him came out, though, "ecstasy" takes on a whole new meaning.

Local sources were disappointed by the news but lauded the ex-Capital's overall character.

Capitals co-owner Lonnie Nielson said he wouldn't hesitate to take back the crowd pleaser if the opportunity arose.

"I'm not condoning (drug use), but he's trying to put it behind him," Nielson said.

Nielson described Agassi, who made his World TeamTennis debut for the Capitals in 2002 and played five matches for the team through 2004, as an exemplary team member.

"He was as good a person off the court as he was a superstar on it. He was very professional. He took our event seriously and wanted to continue our success," Nielson said. "He was willing to do whatever was asked of him. He wasn't high maintenance like some stars."

Top-60 player Dmitry Tursunov, who's recovering from ankle surgery at home in Folsom, practiced with Agassi several times in the Bay Area early this decade.

"I expected him to act like a superstar, but he was very down to earth and open," Tursunov said. "He treated me (as an equal). It made me respect him more and made me more considerate with younger players because that's how he was with me."

Capitals coach Wayne Bryan called Agassi, 39, a longtime friend, charismatic player and legendary humanitarian.

"I wish he hadn't (used drugs), and I wish he hadn't admitted it. But I admire him as an athlete and human being. He's still going to be my friend. The good far outweighs a slip in 1997."

Longtime Capital Mark Knowles could not be reached for comment on Agassi. The two roomed together at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla., as juniors.

In excerpts from his upcoming autobiography in the current issue of Sports Illustrated, Agassi wrote that he used crystal methamphetamine during a particularly stressful time in his life and failed a drug test.

Agassi falsely claimed an assistant had spiked his drink, and the ATP Tour cleared him.

The ATP issued a statement last week saying that an independent panel makes the final decision on drug violations.

Tursunov, a Moscow native who reached a career-high No. 20 in the world in 2006, said he has never used recreational or performance-enhancing drugs and has no direct knowledge of anyone on the tour who does. But he's realistic.

"I'm not naïve enough to say out of 100 players no one does drugs," Tursunov said. "Someone probably sneaks in something they shouldn't. But the ATP knows where I am 365 days a year and can test me anytime. It's a very big risk to take."

Agassi's troubles began with a difficult childhood. Bryan's fun-based philosophy of teaching tennis to his twin sons – who were born exactly eight years after Agassi on April 29, 1978, and idolized him – was the antithesis of Mike Agassi's ruthless approach with his son.

The methods yielded comparable results, though. All three players became No. 1 in the world, Bob and Mike Bryan in doubles, and Agassi in singles.

The difference is the Bryan twins clearly enjoy tennis while Agassi wrote that he hates it "with a dark and secret passion, and always have."

Nielson finds it "hard to believe someone as successful as Andre Agassi hated tennis. Maybe at times he did, but I would hope and think there were times he liked the game and got so much out of it."

Call The Bee's Paul Bauman, (916) 326-5515.