Famous tennis players are widely revered, even by those who do not participate themselves. In this section, books reveal their fascinating tales.
Martina Navratilova shares much about her off court life in this autobiography that concludes with the heartache of winning Wimbledon in 1994. Packed with black-and-white photos.
Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova is one of the most recognized tennis players worldwide. Known for both her dominance on court and beauty, as well as for being actively engaged in advocating women’s rights issues, Martina Navratilova remains an inspiration.
Martina began playing tennis when she was four in Czechoslovakia. By four she won her first national championship before switching to professional tour one year later. Defecting to America in 1975 and becoming a citizen six years later, Martina would go on to dominate tennis during the 1980s by winning seven Grand Slam titles.
She was also widely respected for being open about being lesbian and active in the gay rights movement, in addition to being a feminist and antiwar activist.
His life story is truly captivating, as she has endured multiple marriages and divorces as well as depression, substance abuse and health issues. Additionally, she has successfully battled cancer twice; once in her throat and once in her breast. Now retired from competition but still plays exhibition matches and speaks out on women’s rights causes while working as a commentator on Tennis Channel broadcasts.
Monica Seles
Monica Seles rose to the pinnacle of tennis during her young adult years, winning nine Grand Slam championships along the way. Her meteoric rise can be partly credited to her intense rivalry with Steffi Graf, with each match-up often providing compelling viewing.
Seles has earned four Australian Open titles and three French Open championships throughout her career, becoming one of the most accomplished female players ever. Additionally, she won two US Open titles and reached six other finals competitions during this illustrious playing career.
In April 1993, Seles suffered a devastating blow to her career when an enthusiastic Steffi Graf fan, Gunter Parche, attempted to strike back and attacked Seles with a sharp blade during a changeover break at the Hamburg Open. Parche reached over to stab Seles just above her shoulder blade – an incident which she credits as having changed the course of her life forever.
Physically she was able to recover quickly after the attack; however, it took two years before she fully resumed competition and won her final Grand Slam tournament: Australian Open 1996. Since retiring from tennis she has become a motivational speaker and mental health advocate; in addition she still attends some tennis events such as Indian Wells Masters tournament in California.
Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Capriati was defined by both her talent and innate passion for tennis. After turning professional at 13, Capriati quickly established herself on the WTA Tour by winning multiple titles quickly – often reaching major tournament semifinals as an accomplished Grand Slam performer.
1999 saw her impressive resurgence, winning her first tournament title in six years at Strasbourg and regaining top-20 rankings. Additionally, she reached quarterfinals at both Roland Garros and US Open that year before surprising top seed Martina Hingis by defeating her straight sets to claim her maiden Grand Slam championship at Australian Open (overturning top seed Martina Hingis’ top seeding and entering world’s top 10 ranking for good!). At Wimbledon 2001 she claimed her maiden Grand Slam crown by defeating Martina Hingis straight sets before entering world’s top 10, defeating top seed Martina Hingis in straight sets to claim victory and enter world’s top 10.
Capriati suffered multiple injuries that forced her to retire in 2004, yet returned in 2010 before officially retiring again in 2012. She won two Laureus World Sports Comeback Player awards before being honored with induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012. Following retirement, Capriati preferred keeping a low profile; however she occasionally participated in charitable initiatives or exhibition matches.
Dorothea Chambers
Dorothea Lambert Chambers was among the earliest women to take tennis seriously as a sport, winning seven Wimbledon singles titles and a gold medal at the 1908 Olympics. After World War I she returned to playing tennis again without the constraints of long skirts and petticoats that hindered her early play; against Suzanne Lenglen she staged one of the greatest women’s finals of all time in 1919 where Chambers held two match points but ultimately lost after 44 games; following this loss Chambers would go on to win three more Wimbledon titles before becoming teaching professional teacher herself.
Chambers was only young when she won her first championship, yet was already an outstanding tennis player, boasting both talent and strategy. Her volleys were powerful yet accurate; her drop shot deadly; she read the game adeptly; during her long career she made twelve Wimbledon finals and five victories were recorded during those matches; additionally she published Lawn Tennis for Ladies as both written and pictorial reference book covering how to execute all kinds of shots.
Andrea Jaeger
Jaeger became only the second youngest player ever to reach a Grand Slam final at 18 and 19 years of age, surpassing almost all her peers on her way there. She won mixed doubles at both French Open and Wimbledon before suffering an unfortunate shoulder injury which forced her out.
In her memoir, she details the abuse she endured as part of a male-dominated sport rife with corruption. She details why she chose not to speak up in defense of coach Roland or reveal to her husband what had occurred in the locker room where she had been harassed for years.
This book gives a vivid account of Steffi Graf’s talent and determination as a player while detailing how she struggled to maintain her dignity and independence as the highest paid female athlete worldwide. Packed with black-and-white photographs, this biography makes an excellent read about this legendary tennis champion.
Ann Jones
Ann Jones was a world-renowned tennis player and champion, winning both women’s singles and mixed doubles titles at Grand Slam tournaments. Additionally, she became an accomplished author and journalist; authoring many best-selling books to her name.
Her memoirs provide accounts of travel across Africa with her British partner Kevin Muggleton as she searches for lovedu. Additionally, she reported from Afghanistan where she embedded with both U.S. Army troops and Afghan National Army units to report their operations.
Jones began her tennis career by dabbling in both lawn and table tennis before transitioning exclusively into tennis. She won eight Grand Slam tournaments: three singles championships and two doubles titles (not counting her shared 1969 Wimbledon crown with Darlene Hard, which does not count).
This insightful autobiography chronicles the early struggles of an inspirational girl who arrived from Siberia with only $700 and set out on her journey towards becoming a professional tennis player. This compelling read is honest, open and deeply moving — perfect for fans of this sport and an absolute must-read!
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King has long been known for breaking barriers both on and off of the tennis court. In the early 1970s, she rose to fame by defeating former men’s champion Bobby Riggs in what would later become known as “The Battle of the Sexes.” This event garnered worldwide coverage and raised awareness for women’s professional tennis – ultimately elevating its status. After this landmark encounter, King went on to co-found World TeamTennis (WTT) Smash Hits while advocating for equal pay among female professionals – publishing several books such as Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned From Life and Battle of Sexes among many others.
King amassed 39 major titles during her career. Of those, six came at Wimbledon; four U.S. Open titles and four French Open ones gave her a career Grand Slam in both events; as well as multiple mixed doubles tournaments she also claimed victory.
Born Billie Jean Moffitt in Long Beach, California, King began playing tennis as a child and competed in local tournaments before she reached ten. While attending California State University Los Angeles under legendary women’s player Alice Marble’s coaching, King made headlines at Wimbledon tournament when she and partner Karen Hantze Susman became youngest pair ever to win women’s doubles title at that tournament.