Last month, the Wall Street Journal ran a guest column from Madeleine Blais listing the Five Best Books on Women in Tennis. To her credit, the author did not include her own recently published Queen of the Court: The Many Lives of Tennis Legend Alice Marble in her list. That would have been self-serving.
There are so many great books on women in tennis that I would expect that almost every well-read person on that topic would come up with a unique ranking. Consequently, it is hardly surprising that I didn’t fully agree with Blais’s list. A great book will generate a range of emotional reactions in the reader, and that will vary from person to person.
Additionally, the general categorization of women in tennis is not where I would naturally snap the chalk line. Based on the books included, I believe Blais’s list is intended to be those with historical and cultural significance.
With that understanding, here is my own personal ranking of the best five books on women in tennis. I have previously reviewed 27 books that fit that category on this site. The hardest part was culling it down to only five titles.
1. All In: An Autobiography
There are several biographies and autobiographies about Billie Jean King. You cannot understand women’s tennis without starting with this legend. In addition to her brilliant playing career and role in the foundation of professional tennis, this book highlights Billie Jean King’s ongoing commitment to social justice.
All In also topped Blais’s list. In fact, if you encounter a ranking of the best books on women’s tennis and this title doesn’t appear at or near the top, I suggest you move along to a more credible source.
My full review of All In: An Autobiography originally ran on August 26, 2021.
2. The Goddess and the American Girl: The Story of Suzanne Lenglen and Helen Wills
I reviewed this book just last week. It has been in my reading queue for years, but I never found the right moment to dive into it. The impetus finally came as this title was included in this same spot on Blais’ list.
Long before Chris Everet and Martina Navratilova brought rivalry to women’s tennis, there was Suzanne Lenglen and Helen Wills. Despite the early 20th-century figures playing only one head-to-head singles match, the buildup and anticipation of that clash left an indelible mark on the world of tennis.
My full review of The Goddess and the American Girl originally ran on August 31, 2023.
3. Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson
Some of the best books of historical and cultural significance in women’s tennis are about Althea Gibson. It may be recency bias, but I gave the nod to the newest release by Sally Gibson. Blais included two titles primarily about Althea on her list. Serving Herself: The Life and Times of Althea Gibson by Ashley Brown, was a very close second for me. The Match: Althea Gibson and a Portrait of a Friendship is also a terrific title on this topic.
Althea is a sweeping biography that starts with the personal circumstances of her childhood and the societal conditions of the time. Jacobs is adept at recognizing those who helped Althea along the way while highlighting the political motivations that were often prioritized above what was best for her as a person.
My full review of Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson originally ran on August 24, 2023.
4. A Long Way Baby: Behind the Scenes in Women’s Pro Tennis
New York Times writer Grace Lichtenstein was drawn toward women’s professional tennis as a topic due to her interest in the women’s movement in the early 70s. Her perspectives on the broader societal influences and impacts beyond the court make this book iconically great.
I also considered Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey in this position. The author, Julie Heldman, was one of the “original nine” and the daughter of Gladys Heldman, the promotor who drove the inception of the women’s professional tennis tour.
Blais included 41-Love: On Addiction, Tennis, and Refusing to Grow Up on her list. If the selection was on mental health issues associated with women’s tennis, I would have gone with Driven instead.
My original review of A Long Way Baby: Behind the Scenes in Women’s Pro Tennis originally ran on March 18, 2021.
5. The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship
Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova is the greatest tennis rivalry ever. In the post Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal era, placing Evert vs. Navratilova on top of the list is a semi-hot take. Anyone who wants to challenge that assertion must first read this book. It is required reading to engage in that debate meaningfully.
When Evert and Navratilova’s rivalry was playing out on the tennis court, the women’s professional tour was still very much coming of age. They were the youngsters responsible for accepting the torch from Billie Jean King and the other established tour stars. They proved that women’s professional tennis wasn’t a moment but rather a movement. Their extraordinary level of play was instrumental in transforming tennis into the best professional athletics opportunity for female athletes.
My original review of The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship originally ran on March 25, 2021.
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