Former world number one tennis player Andre Agassi has confessed to using crystal methamphetamine during his career and lying to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) after testing positive.

Agassi's revelation features in his tell-all autobiography Open, which is set to be serialised in The Times.

The American recounts in the book the day he experimented with the drug in 1997 with an assistant, who he identifies only as Slim.

"Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table. He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've just crossed," Agassi writes.

"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness.

"Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful - and I've never felt such energy."

The now 39-year-old goes on to say he received a call from an ATP doctor informing him he had failed a drugs test and under the game's laws for recreational drug use, Agassi could be facing a three-month suspension.

Agassi then admits to fabricating a story to the ATP in which he said he accidentally drank from one of his assistant's drinks spiked with the drug.

"My name, my career, everything is now on the line. Whatever I've achieved, whatever I've worked for, might soon mean nothing," Agassi writes.

"Days later I sit in a hard-backed chair, a legal pad in my lap, and write a letter to the ATP. It's filled with lies interwoven with bits of truth.

"I say Slim, whom I've since fired, is a known drug user, and that he often spikes his sodas with meth - which is true.

"Then I come to the central lie of the letter. 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.

"I feel ashamed, of course. I promise myself that this lie is the end of it."

Possession of crystal meth carries a five-year jail sentence in the United States.

Agassi, who retired from tennis in 2006, won eight grand slams during his illustrious career, including four Australian Opens and gold in the men's singles at the Atlanta Olympics.

People magazine's website reports that Agassi says in his book he is not worried about the impact of his admissions on his fans.

"I was worried for a moment, but not for long," he writes.

"I wore my heart on my sleeve and my emotions were always written on my face. I was actually excited about telling the world the whole story."

Tennis commentator Craig Gabriel says hs is not totally surprised by the revelations.

Gabriel says Agassi failed to win a single tournament in 1997 and struggled on tour.

"He really disappeared off the face of the earth as far as tennis was concerned, so that in one sense I'm not surprised at," he said.

"But overall I guess it is a bit of a shock to hear somebody as prominent as an Andre Agassi admitting to something like this."