Latest Posts

Ultimate Stocking Stuffer List for Tennis Players (2024 Edition) Secrets of Winning Tennis The USTA Encourages Double Dipping The Speed Ladder Tennis Beyond the Headlines: November 18, 2024 A Balanced Diet: Healthy Tennis Engagements A Balanced Diet: Better Nutrition for Better Tennis

Dear John: The John Lloyd Autobiography

On By Teresa Merklin

Before reading this book, if I had been asked to write a wikipedia-style biography of John Lloyd, it would start out something like this: “John Lloyd is a former professional tennis player who is best known for once being married to Chris Evert.” When Lloyd recently released this autobiography, my first thought was concern that it might be filled with sordid and salacious assertions about Chrissie in an attempt to cash in and sell more copies. As it turns out, those worries were completely unfounded.

2 responses

Boris Becker – The Player

On By Teresa Merklin

Following his recent conviction for hiding assets during bankruptcy proceedings, a British tabloid reported that Boris Becker will be writing a book to stave off boredom during his 30 month incarceration. Additionally, a source claims that “It’ll be a warts-and-all diary on how he got himself in such a troubling position and then what life is like in jail.” The apparent forthcoming book will not be the first authored by Becker. He originally published an autobiography in 2004.

René Lacoste

On By Teresa Merklin

René Lacoste is one of the most iconic tennis players in the history of the sport. His tenacity on the court earned him the nickname “The Crocodile” and that image became logo of the brand that still bears his name. He was one of the French “Four Musketeers” players that dominated international tennis in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Lacoste was also a prolific inventor of tennis related technology.

Transcendance: Alize Cornet

On By Teresa Merklin

I have been an under the radar fan of Alize Cornet for a very long time. Her passion for tennis competition is always discernible by the expression on her face. Cornet is also currently on an amazing streak of longevity that seems to have escaped widespread attention by most of the tennis world. When Cornet steps onto the court at Roland Garros at the French Open next week, it will mark her 61st consecutive appearance at a Grand Slam. To underscore the achievement, she has appeared in every single Grand Slam draw for over 15 years.

3 responses

The Quest

On By Teresa Merklin

In 2016, Novak Djokovic entered the clay court season with the three previous major championships under his belt. However, he had never hoisted the trophy at Roland Garros. French tennis journalist Carole Bouchard was there to chronicle his quest to achieve the “career slam.” At that time, Djokovic was on the outside looking in as the tennis world enthusiastically debated whether Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal would emerge as the greatest player of all time. Winning the French Open changed the narrative and inserted Djokovic into the conversation.

Why (Tennis) Books

On By Teresa Merklin

I suspect that many tennis players frequently use search engines to locate the answers to their tennis questions. I have to admit that it is always going to be faster to consult the internet for tennis information as opposed to reading a book. That statement is true even when there is an ebook available for instant download. However, I firmly believe that tennis players who never read books about the sport are stunting their own tennis development.

1 response

The Gift of Tennis Books

On By Teresa Merklin

Heading into New Year’s Eve last year, I shared 12 “Gifts” that people can give themselves to improve the quality of their tennis life. Each of these items is a tennis related life hack shamelessly adapted from a career development webinar gave a while back for cybersecurity professionals. In 2022, I am taking an in-depth look at each one of those items on first Friday of each month. The “Gift” for May is to read a new tennis book.

Essential Tennis

On By Teresa Merklin

I am guessing that most recreational tennis players are already familiar with Ian Westerman through his online site, Essential Tennis. He is a prolific producer of instructional videos, blog posts, and podcasts. Soon there will be another offering to add to the list. I recently received an advance copy of Essential Tennis: Improve Faster, Play Smarter, and Win More Matches. Based on that first look it may be the best packaging of Westerman’s message yet.

2 responses