Tennis literature draws writers and readers because its sport lends itself to reflection. As it can be played throughout life, its significance as an expression of important life moments cannot be overstated.
David Foster Wallace brings his unparalleled literary acuity to sports writing in these remarkable essays. He celebrates Roger Federer’s extraordinary talent; analyzes Tracy Austin’s autobiography; and considers Michael Joyce, an up-and-coming player he considers an artist in training.
Sudden Death by Francisco de Quevedo
“Never underestimate your opponent,” as the saying goes, holds true not just in tennis but in politics and history as well. Sudden Death, a novel about the sixteenth-century match between Spanish poet Francisco de Quevedo and Italian painter Caravaggio perfectly illustrates this point. Astute yet accessible, Sudden Death unites Renaissance Europe with 16th century Mexico as well as art history, counter-Reformation history, the rise and fall of papacies as well as teaching Spanish diminutives all in an engaging narrative that keeps its readers engaged throughout.
Start a tennis match that could change history! Dapper Italian painter Caravaggio and loutish Spanish poet Quevedo square off against one another before an audience that includes Galileo, Mary Magdalene and a generation of popes who would burn the church. Their game shows us their backstories unfold – their racquets, serves, interactions with linemen and local paisanos as well as failures all show who these characters truly are.
The narrative weaves in unexpected directions. How did a tennis ball fiercely batted back and forth by an impoverished painter and high-living poet become a metaphor for Europe’s imperialist wars? And why has Diego de Alvarado Huanitzin’s miter from Lake Patzcuaro in Mexico somehow made its way all the way to Rome, ultimately altering Western art history?
Human hair does not decompose, according to Quevedo and Caravaggio’s observations in their novel; in fact, Anne Boleyn’s hair that was taken by her executer during execution can even be found tucked inside their tennis ball! Caravaggio and Quevedo’s tennis match becomes a metaphor for their respective empires’ power struggles, as Caravaggio and Quevedo play with balls filled with substance to undermine them both. Sooner or later they meet on another court; hopefully with better outcomes. Sudden Death marks Alvaro Enrigue’s debut English novel; it serves as an excellent introduction to his work and gives an insightful view into this highly talented Mexican writer’s mind.
Bjorn Borg and the Super-Swedes by Mats Holm and Ulf Roosvald
Mats Holm and Ulf Roosvald explore the roots of an incredible period of Swedish tennis dominance which lasted several decades, featuring top players like Bjorn Borg, Wilander, and Stefan Edberg during this period. Additionally, readers gain a comprehensive view of these three great players as well as an understanding of how a small country with only eight million people could attain such greatness in tennis.
Crooked Little Heart by Anne Lamott
Crooked Little Heart, Anne Lamott’s first novel since her nonfiction masterpieces Operating Instructions and Bird by Bird were published, is an exuberant, richly immersive portrait of a family living through life’s ups and downs amidst unexpected twists and turns. The Fergusons reside in a small Californian town that should resemble paradise; yet thirteen-year-old Rosie Ferguson soon realizes her athletic skills that initially made her so popular become threats as an unknown figure stalks her from the bleachers;
Anne Lamott is known for writing with unflinching honesty that is both sensitive and comical in both her memoirs and novels. Her subjects range from daily frustrations to love, death, and faith – drawing upon personal experiences including failed relationships, alcoholism, bulimia, drug abuse, depression.
Contrary to some nonfiction writers, she brings the same warmth and humor into her fiction writing as readers have found in her nonfiction works on spirituality and Christianity. Although her characters may be flawed at times, they strive towards becoming more loving and accepting people – something often highlighted in her writings. Furthermore, faith often plays an integral part of her stories.
Lamott is a devout Christian who attends her own church of choice and believes in Jesus Christ. Additionally, she advocates for gay rights; these beliefs have won over nontraditional Christians while upsetting more conservative ones. Additionally, Lamott supports abortion rights over capital punishment laws.
This book’s primary message is about understanding grief and turning a difficult situation into something positive, while at the same time learning forgiveness. When Rosie cheats during one of her matches she feels terrible guilt so decides to confess and tell Luther the truth – eventually they start playing again and Rosie realizes that cheating doesn’t define who she is as an individual; hence why she won’t repeat her misdeed.
Fiona Hodgkin by Fiona Hodgkin
Fiona Hodgkin of Bermuda recalls in this fictionalized autobiography her brief, yet successful career as an amateur tennis player during the early 1960s at Smith College as a pre-med student, under former professional Rachel Martin’s guidance and with dreams of competing at Wimbledon, All England Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club of London England as her ultimate goal.
Fiona must qualify in order to compete in Wimbledon, an endeavor which necessitates meeting Claire Kershaw – world number one female player and twice Wimbledon Champion. Fiona and Claire become fast friends on both ends of the courts at Wimbledon – serving up epic tennis battles while simultaneously becoming each other’s greatest rivals on these famous green grass tennis courts.
Set against the London social season, with its fine restaurants, classy servants and centerfolds from “Car & Driver,” Fiona finds herself engaged in two love affairs with tall dashing Englishmen who are both older than she. This period romance also takes an honest look at mating rituals among upper class Brits and colonials; which could be seen as an almost worshipful take on mating sports.
Hodgkin’s story is told with emotional accuracy, characterization, and dialogue that is refreshingly un-hackneyed or even slightly contrived, making this book one that anyone interested in good stories would find enjoyable. Additionally, this volume provides plenty of historical tennis tidbits, terms, techniques and play action details which transport readers right onto the courts with its heroine.