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The Definitive Captains Guide to USTA League Player Descriptions The Definitive Players Guide to USTA League Team Descriptions Shameless Strategies: Never Pick Up Your Share of Drill Balls Again Tennis Players as Works of Art Which Team is Your Main Squeeze? Cowtown Edition Speed Through / Double Back Tennis Beyond the Headlines: December 16, 2024

Strokes of Genius Film

On By Teresa Merklin

When I was in school, I never failed to complete required reading assignments. I simply loved books too much to not manage to find the time to read them. Especially when an essay or a test was in the offing. Consequently, on the eve of the publication of today’s content, I had the completely new experience that I had failed to complete my planned reading. I basically owe a book report on material that I have not read. I did what any self-respecting student would do in that situation: I watched the movie.

The United States Tennis Association: Raising the Game

On By Teresa Merklin

I have been reading Warren F. Kimball’s book The United States Tennis Association: Raising the Game almost all year. It has been an invaluable resource for me as I have explored the purpose and culture of the USTA. This book has frequently been listed in my resources/citations section of my posts. It is a fabulous account of the early history of the USTA and the development of tennis in the United States.

Loving the Battle

On By Teresa Merklin

The fact that I am writing about Loving the Battle by Mark Tjia this week is an unanticipated side effect of the review I posted last week. Last week’s selection remains a mystery, and I continue to decline to name either the book or the author since my comments were less than flattering. That omission triggered a couple of guesses as to the identity of the book. One of the guesses started “Surely you don’t mean Loving the Battle…”

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Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey

On By Teresa Merklin

In late 2018 and early 2019 Julie Heldman appeared on a couple of podcasts that I regularly listen to. She was promoting her new book, Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey. Julie Heldman is the daughter of Gladys Heldman, the promotor who drove the inception of the women’s professional tennis tour. Julie Heldman herself also played on the tour that her mother created.

Watch The Ball, Bend Your Knees

On By Teresa Merklin

The Fiend at Court spousal unit gave me a really thoughtful birthday gift this year. Per the usual, I asked him if he wanted to know what he was getting me in advance of the date or if he preferred to be surprised this year. It is a very workable solution for the apparent fact that I am hard to shop for.