From Julie Heldman and Serena Williams to many others, tennis players boast incredible stories to tell. In this article we’ll highlight a few of these stars as well as their inspirational tales.
Boris Becker offers an engaging autobiography detailing his early success, tax evasion, marriage and unintended daughter with excellent color photos throughout.
Jennifer Capriati
Jennifer Capriati was an exciting young player renowned for her bold attitude and fearless play. The American made two finals appearances, beating number-one player Monica Seles in both tournaments before becoming one of the youngest women ever to reach the top 10. She achieved success as a professional tennis player by reaching her full potential on court. She made history when she became the youngest woman ever to enter the top 10.
After her initial round loss at the 1993 US Open she took an 18-month hiatus from tennis. During that period she struggled with depression and experienced several well-publicized arrests (such as shoplifting and marijuana possession). When she returned in 1996 she soon regained form reaching two Grand Slam semifinals while winning two titles before injuries caused back and hamstring strain ended her career – she remains popular speaker today while this book offers an inspiring glimpse of an outstanding champion’s life both on and off court.
Dorothea Chambers
Dorothea Chambers was an incredible female tennis player of her time, winning seven Wimbledon championships as Mrs Lambert Chambers before her marriage in 1907. In 1919 she narrowly lost the final to Suzanne Lenglen from France; an encounter widely considered one of the greatest tennis matches ever staged.
This award-winning book explores how mental game is just as critical to tennis success as physical skills of the game. Read how Laver and Sampras both managed to stay composed under pressure to win their most prestigious matches.
Heinemann published their first edition in 1978 with 310 pages.
May Sutton
Bundy first started playing tennis at age 12, using her older sister’s warped wooden racquet. Soon enough, Bundy and her sisters Violet, Florence, and Ethel began dominating California tennis circuit tournaments.
In 1903 and 1904 she successfully defended both the Southern California and Pacific Coast Championships, always defeating her sister in the final match. Additionally, she twice won Ojai Valley tournament.
At Wimbledon 1905 she dazzled the crowds at Worple Road by reaching the challenge round without dropping a set. There she defeated Mrs Lambert Chambers and Miss Dorothea Douglass.
As she returned to America she broadened her horizons further by winning the National Championships, where she took home both singles and doubles titles before reaching the doubles final with Miss Miriam Hall. This would mark her final major triumph before marrying at the end of 1912; post marriage, she decided to focus solely on raising her family.
‘Teach’ Tennant
Even the greatest players must fight hard to stay ahead. This book provides a fascinating account of all of the conflicts both on and off the court which have defined this talented Scottish actor’s life.
This biography provides an engaging read for anyone fascinated with top athletes, detailing how a difficult childhood and an undeniable talent for tennis can create an unhappy tennis star.
Eleanor “Teach” Tennant of San Francisco became Alice Marble’s tennis coach and mentor; rising from relative obscurity to become one of the premier players and coaches of Southern California with clients including Clark Gable, Errol Flynn and Carole Lombard as clients. Eleanor taught Marble how to outwit opponents through detestation — an approach she employed during Battle of the Sexes matches in particular.
Christine Truman
Christine Truman, a British tennis player at the time, appears confident as she walks off the court after defeating American Althea Gibson at Wightman Cup. A year later she made it all the way through to Wimbledon semi-finals, cementing her place among the most talented female tennis players of her time.
At 18 years old, she won both singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon and U.S. Championships that same decade – beating some of tennis’ biggest names like Billie Jean King and Margaret Court.
She now enjoys an active career as a popular radio and television broadcaster, living in Suffolk with former Wasps rugby star Gerry Janes and authoring the insightful memoir Miss Truman to Serve about her sporting life.
Virginia Wade
Virginia Wade was one of Britain’s most celebrated female tennis players, renowned for her powerful serve, strong baseline game and strategic play on court. She competed at four Olympic Games and won two grand slam titles – Wimbledon was her favorite! Additionally she earned four doubles championships at both US Opens, Australian and French Opens as well.
Growing up in South Africa, tennis was a common leisure activity among white families of comfortable means – Virginia being no exception – though she quickly fell in love with it and dedicated herself to it. After moving to England in 1968 and facing colder winter temperatures than expected, Virginia fought her way onto the British circuit; winning many admirers before eventually being honored as “BBC Sports Personality of the Year”, besting cricketer Geoffrey Boycott and motorcyclist Barry Sheene in terms of recognition by BBC.
Boris Becker
Boris Becker was an accomplished professional tennis player from Germany who won three Wimbledon and one US Open titles during his illustrious playing career. At 17, he became the youngest men’s champion ever and first German to ever capture Davis Cup victory. Subsequently, Becker made several investments, worked as a TV commentator, and mentored Novak Djokovic – with whom he would later work closely – until retiring at 37.
After years of success, Becker was ultimately undone by poor decisions and financial missteps that ultimately resulted in prison time for fraud. Acclaimed director Alex Gibney (“Enron,” “The Armstrong Lie,” and “Going Clear”) along with co-writer John Battsek (“Searching for Sugar Man”) document his rise and fall in this two-part documentary series.
James Blake
James Blake hails from Harlem and attended Harvard for college tennis before leaving to enter professional tennis as part of an exclusive group who emerged directly from college competition.
In 2006, Blake reached his highest career ranking of World No. 4. That same year he won the Hopman Cup, reached both Australian and US Open semifinals and was instrumental in leading Team USA Davis Cup to victory.
Five-time Grand Slam Champion Sharapova’s memoir offers an intimate first-person account of her relationship with her mother, rise to fame and doping scandal. Additionally, this book presents an insightful examination of psychology in sports: Sharapova discusses how one’s mindset can alter their performance on court – making this essential reading for serious fans of tennis alike.
Neale Fraser
Neale Fraser was an acclaimed Australian tennis player renowned for elevating its status and popularization within sports culture. Through hard work and skill he achieved great success during his playing career – earning both fans’ admiration as well as praise from fellow tennis players alike.
Neale Fraser enjoyed an illustrious playing career that saw him claim numerous Grand Slam titles and two Davis Cup victories for Australia; these victories came in 1959 and 1960 respectively.
After retiring as a player, his devotion to the team continued in its non-playing captain capacity for 24 years. For his dedication and service to Australian sport, he received the highly esteemed Order of the British Empire (MBE) honorary membership and later co-founded an important event such as the Australian Open tournament – both major milestones on its schedule.
Pancho Gonzales
Pancho Gonzales stood as an icon among Mexican American athletes of his time, fighting discrimination through sheer hard work and determination to reach success in his athletic pursuits.
He was an innate athlete who never received formal lessons. After starting to play tennis on public courts in Los Angeles, he quickly established himself as an unstoppable force on the courts.
He won numerous titles throughout his career and was beloved by crowds and audiences. Although sometimes unruly – once punching a television crew! – he eventually gained the respect of both peers and opponents, even as late as 1972 becoming the oldest winner ever of a tournament before succumbing to stomach cancer at age 67.