Latest Posts

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 A Balanced Diet: Quality of Information

Court Hustler: Bobby Riggs

On By Teresa Merklin

Bobby Riggs published two autobiographies over the course of his life. His first effort, Tennis is My Racket, presents the story of Riggs as an irascible – but quite serious – tennis player. His second autobiography is Court Hustler. Before I go on, I should note that this post is chock full of obvious spoilers. For example, with a title like Court Hustler, it will probably not surprise anyone that the promotional antics of Riggs are still on full display.

Tennis is My Racket: Bobby Riggs

On By Teresa Merklin

The overarching theme for the books this site is covering in April are two men who arguably did more in the advancement of Women’s tennis above all others. It might surprise people to see the name of Bobby Riggs thrown out in that context. I can almost hear the “Wait… what?” In order for the epic “Battle of the Sexes” match to occur, a male opponent was required. A lot of men would not have placed themselves into that position. Riggs was willing to take the risk. Additionally, he worked tirelessly on promoting the match before it occurred. Whether he intended to do so or not, Bobby Riggs and the “Battle of the Sexes Match” put women’s tennis into the spotlight. The result was a massive boost in the public interest in women’s professional tennis.

Billie Jean King’s Secrets of Winning Tennis

On By Teresa Merklin

It’s April 1, which means that the exclusive coverage of books on Women’s tennis during March has concluded. Somehow that month came and went without coverage of a book specifically about Billie Jean King. One reason for that glaring omission is because there are simply so many books and so little time. The other reason for the deferral of the exclusive focus on Billie Jean King is because All In, a new forthcoming autobiography, isn’t scheduled to be released until later this year. I have already pre-ordered my copy.

The Rivals: Chris Evert vs Martina Navratilova

On By Teresa Merklin

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova is the greatest tennis rivalry ever. In the post Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal era (or perhaps the waning moments), placing Evert vs Navratilova on top of the list is a semi-hot take. Anyone who wants challenge my assertion that Evert vs Navratilova is the greatest rivalry of all time must first read The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship. (Sponsored Link) It is required reading to meaningfully engage in that debate.

A Long Way Baby: Behind the Scenes in Women’s Pro Tennis

On By Teresa Merklin

Our third book installment during Women’s History Month is another professional tennis “Year in the Life” account. Grace Lichtenstein’s offering, A Long Way, Baby: Behind the Scenes in Women’s Pro Tennis, focuses on 1973. It had been a scant three years since the “Original Nine” signed the $1 professional contracts which spawned the tour sponsored by Virginia Slims. Women’s professional tennis was in its formative stages. It was also the year that Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs played their landmark “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match in the Astrodome.

Ladies of the Court

On By Teresa Merklin

If I had to pick one word to describe Ladies of the Court it would be “lurid.” “Sordid” is a close second selection. Perhaps I should have anticipated that, given that the subtitle is “Grace and Disgrace on the Women’s Tennis Tour.” After reading Ladies of the Court, I really want to believe is that we, as society and a tennis community, have come a long way, baby. Unfortunately, that appropriates the advertising catch phrase of the cigarette brand that financed the early stages of the WTA tour. In Ladies of the Court, the Virginia Slims title sponsorship was unraveling. Spoiler alert: Cigarettes are bad for you. Additionally, as the USTA incessantly reminds us as of late, tennis is a healthy sport. Sponsorship by a tobacco company was incongruous.

Venus Envy by Jon Wertheim

On By Teresa Merklin

At first glance, the selection of Venus Envy by Jon Wertheim might seem strange. My ambivalence toward biographies of players who are still competing is well documented on this site, and the story of Venus Williams and her professional tennis career has yet to conclude. Additionally, based solely on the title, it might be easy to assume that this book might be more appropriate in February during Black History Month. Ultimately, Venus Envy is the perfect selection to kick off Women’s History Month in March.

Charging the Net

On By Teresa Merklin

Since February is Black History Month, I have been focusing on books about African American tennis players. In the previous two weeks, we have discussed Arthur Ashe in “Days of Grace” and Althea Gibson in “The Match.” If you’re going to talk about the history of black players at the highest levels of competitive tennis, Ashe and Althea are the two obvious places to start.

The Match: Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton

On By Teresa Merklin

Before Arthur Ashe, there was Althea Gibson. Long before Ashe broke the color barrier in men’s tennis, Althea was the true pioneer. Her journey was much harder than the one Ashe endured. Part of the challenge was that Althea was female playing in an era where women’s tennis wasn’t valued by the national associations that staged tournaments at all. A larger factor was the color of her skin.

Days of Grace by Arthur Ashe

On By Teresa Merklin

After my recent reading of John McPhee’s Levels of the Game, I came to the realization that I needed to brush up on my knowledge of the tennis career of Arthur Ashe. His memoir Days of Grace seemed to be an obvious place to start. Additionally, since February is Black History month, the timing is perfect. As a bonus, a hardcover edition of Days of Grace was already languishing on a shelf in my family room.