As a tennis player over the age of 55 who has suffered through my share of physical ailments, I am squarely within the target demographic of Tennis Fitness for the Love of It: A Mindful Approach to Fitness for Injury-Free Tennis. The opening pages of this book by Suzanna McGee indicate that it is targeted at older players who want to compete in tennis while remaining injury-free. Although I have owned a copy of this book for some time, I finally gave it a thorough read last week. McGee’s meticulous focus on balance, mobility, and sustainable movement resonates with me. More specifically, this book is written for older players who want to be strong enough and healthy enough to keep chasing balls on the court.
One of the overarching themes in this book is the importance of a mindful approach to tennis fitness and injury prevention. In practice, however, much of the content focuses more on injury rehabilitation rather than pure prevention. While many rehab movements are often effective at preventing players from getting hurt in the first place, there was an opportunity to stay a little more on message.
Clocking in with 64 chapters and an Epilogue, the Table of Contents may look intimidating at first glance. However, each chapter is concise, coming in at approximately the same length and depth as the fitness content I publish each Tuesday. The bite-sized structure makes it easy to digest and revisit as a reference. Topics range widely across strength, mobility, and myofascial release techniques, which McGee clearly champions. Those are vital tools for any tennis player who wants to move efficiently and recover more effectively.
Whether you play tennis for fitness or are pursuing fitness for better tennis, both objectives share a common denominator: fitness matters. This book promotes body awareness, which involves tuning into your movements, noticing imbalances, and listening when something feels off. While tennis is an excellent way to stay healthy, it can also be hard on the body. The fitness that comes from paying attention to our bodies isn’t optional but rather a necessity for people who are serious about the sport.
One of the book’s best features is the accessibility of the material. Like most fitness books geared toward tennis players, the exercises are intended to be performed off the court. However, unlike some others, many of what McGhee prescribes can be done anywhere without much additional equipment. They’re perfect for use at home or for quick desk-side movement breaks during the workday. While that benefit isn’t highlighted explicitly, I think it’s one of the book’s strongest selling points.
I have one minor quibble with the photos. Every image features McGee herself demonstrating the moves, which is perfectly reasonable. However, she’s grinning directly at the camera in nearly every shot, even during the more intense myofascial release techniques. In my experience, nobody smiles through many of the exercises she demonstrates. It’s a minor detail, but it detracts from the otherwise practical presentation. The chronic smiling, while probably a true reflection of her personality, seems unauthentic and off-putting to me.
I definitely recommend Tennis Fitness for the Love of It: A Mindful Approach to Fitness for Injury-Free Tennis as a solid quick reference. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s accessible, thoughtfully structured, and steeped with experience. That said, if you’re a fan of McGee’s, you’ve probably already seen a lot of this content online. She has a wealth of free material available on her website and social media. Still, there’s value in having it all pulled together in one place.
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