INDIAN WELLS — When it comes to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, famed commentator Bud Collins doubts Andre Agassi's drug revelation would prevent him from being inducted the first year he's eligible.

In his autobiography “Open,” Agassi admits he used crystal meth in 1997 and then lied to the ATP Tour to get out of a suspension when he had a positive drug test.

“Andre has done so much good since then, he deserves the No One's Perfect Award,” said Collins in a phone interview with The Desert Sun to help promote the BNP Paribas' 35th anniversary. “He's done such admirable work with his prep school and the Boys and Girls Clubs. He's a humanitarian. He's trying to make up for it by being honest about it.

“It may tarnish his reputation with others, but not with me.”

Agassi retired from the tour in 2006 and will be eligible for the tennis Hall of Fame in 2011.

Agassi is one of only six men who have won all four major tournaments — Australian, French, Wimbledon and U.S. Open — in his career. He retired with eight career majors and is wildly considered one of the best service returners of all time.

Many have questioned why Agassi has chosen to reveal his drug use after all these years.

Rancho Mirage resident Mark Woodforde, who was part of the winningest doubles team, the Woodies, said he is still “eagerly” awaiting his copy of the book after everything he's seen and heard about it.

“Hopefully, it's done for the right reasons with some of the topics he's touching on,” Woodforde said.

Collins had his own theory as to why Agassi chose to make his revelations.

“He made a mistake and it's probably something that's burned inside him because here is a guy who is raising two kids preaching honesty and truthfulness.

“He probably didn't want to risk someone else telling it.”

When the ATP Tour got the drug test results, Agassi said in his book that he lied about drinking from a tampered drink. The ATP believed the story and Agassi wasn't suspended.

“I don't think they wanted to convict Andre of anything, but they've tightened up. This is a different time,” Collins said. “You have a lot of admission with baseball and the NFL. It seems to be a popular topic.

“He did break a law, but the only one he hurt was himself. He deserves another chance.”

Collins, though, did say he thought the most amusing revelation was Agassi's claim that he wore a wig during the 1990 French Open, when he lost in the finals.

It was early in Agassi's career, and he was a leading spokesman for shoe company Nike with his “Image is Everything” slogan and his long, wild hair.

“The fact he was losing his hair, no one knew this,” Collins said. “We thought he was a long-haired guy. That was the most surprising thing. He was famous for his hair. It must have been very embarrassing.”

Woodforde got a good laugh while thinking about Agassi struggling with a wig.

“I thought it was funny. It was classic and I could see that happening,” Woodforde said. “I saw a photo with that hair and I could imagine the stress he might have been under. ... ‘I can't chase that one in the corner because I can feel my hair slipping.'”