Tennis Reviews

The last three pages of Peter Bodo’s legendary magnum opus on professional tennis, The Courts of Babylon, feature one of the most mischievously hilarious (and rather unflattering) tennis anecdotes I have ever come across. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the Americans were represented by the formidable doubles combination of Pete Sampras and Jim Courier, who were facing a Spanish team in the Second Round. After winning the first two sets, the partisan home crowd made their presence known, and, greatly inspired and bolstered, the Spanish team came back to sweep the final three sets and the match.  As Courier, tired and shell-shocked, was headed back to the locker room, an Italian fan approached him and begged Courier for an autograph. Courier stopped, took the man’s pen and methodically signed, “F- -k you, Jim Courier."

by Andre Agassi

When Open: An Autobiography arrived five days ago, I dreaded attempting to swallow a 386-page book in a few short days.

Turns out when the 386 pages flow as well as these do, one swallows them without chewing. Agassi spurns a touching, deeply personal, and, for lack of a better word, incredibly open story. It is full of factual and philosophical revelations that are entertaining and humorous yet never superficial. Although most of the headlines that Open has generated are due to Agassi’s admissions of drug use and his hate of tennis, this is much more than a tell-all or a publicity stunt. Simply put, Open was one of the best books I have read recently.

The process of working on this book began just after Agassi’s retirement, and he starts his tale with a moving, detailed account of the day he played his penultimate match as an ATP player (the gladiator battle with Marcos Baghdatis in the second round of the 2006 U.S. Open), from waking up in the morning, unable to move from back pain, to lying on a training table next to one that holds Baghdatis after having won the match, long past midnight, again unable to move.

by Rod Laver with Bud Collins

Originally published in 1971, The Education of a Tennis Player uses Rod Laver’s 1969 Grand Slam as the centerpiece in its fascinating portrait of a long and distinguished career.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Slam, the book has been republished with a few updates and a new chapter about Laver’s 1998 stroke.

This book has something for everyone. Play tennis? There are 25 “lessons” covering everything from mental preparation to equipment to technique. Fascinated with tennis history? You get an insider’s view of what being a tennis player was like back in the day. Engaged in the ‘Greatest of All Time’ debate? Before Laver and Federer, some people thought Big Bill Tilden would never be passed. Like a good laugh now and again? There are stories and quips throughout the book demonstrating both the author’s sense of humor and his appreciation of the absurd.

One of Laver’s assets is his ability to convey a real sense of place. He paints a picture of a scrappy lad from Australia who had to be taught etiquette by his coach so that he wouldn’t be an embarrassment when he went on Tour.

The subtitle of Monica Seles’ autobiography gives away the main subject. Rather than retelling her amazing on-court achievements, her nine Grand Slam titles and 53 overall tournament singles victories, the book concentrates on the years in the player’s adult life, which Monica spent obsessing over her body image and following (yet fearing) strict workout regimes, yet sabotaging her efforts by overeating. Seles tells of her dramatic swings between draconian diets and junk food binges in the car between the local convenience store and home (so all wrappers and other evidence could be disposed of before her return).The focus of the book is also tipped by the back cover blurbs: quotes from the authors of You: The Owner’s Manual and Quantum Wellness are placed above recommendations by Serena Williams and Billie Jean King.The autobiography has something for the casual tennis fan, the devout Selesian, and for any reader who can identify with feeling out of control regarding food or other substances. Monica fondly recalls a happy childhood in Novi Sad, some grueling years at the Bolletieri Academy, then breaking onto the pro tour. Seles candidly recounts the awful stabbing incident in Germany and its aftermath, her return to the tour, suffering through foot and leg injuries, and then her life after retirement, including her brief stint on Dancing With The Stars

Readers looking for dramatic and detailed recaps of key matches may be left wanting more from Getting a Grip. Several memorable matches receive only a few paragraphs of coverage each. Instead, Seles often tells specific stories about what she ate but hid from her trainers, and about her concerns over her weight and appearance at different points in her life. Seles does frequently share how she felt before a tournament, or following a pivotal win or loss. Some selections may surprise you, like the unexpected boost Seles got from playing a small event in Oklahoma City relatively late in her career. Other moments provide for reflection, like the celebration dinner following her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.