Looking for a good tennis book to read? Get in the mood for tennis season with some great books, all designed to teach as well as inspire.
Unstoppable: My Life So Far – Maria Sharapova
This book emulates five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova’s rise to tennis glory. You get an idea of the true dedication and the family’s sacrifice for Maria to not only play tennis but reach her highest competitive level. The father/daughter pair from Russia land in Florida in the middle of the night speaking no English and start their journey. It takes Maria’s mom a few years until she can be reunited with her daughter and this book details what Yuri, Maria’s father, went through in order for Maria to be successful early on.
The tennis sensation’s claim to fame was winning Wimbledon at just seventeen years of age, defeating reigning champion Serena Williams. It was that match that began a rivalry that helped raise the profile of women’s tennis. The book takes you behind the scenes and gives the reader an interesting perspective on how quickly Maria’s life changed and some of the battles she faced off the court.
It was nominated as one of the Boston Globe’s Best Books of 2017.
OPEN – Andre Agassi
A raw depiction of the rebel who turned pro at the age of 16 and won his first major title at Wimbledon in 1992.
Andre gives insights of his rivals like Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, as well as his brief time with Barbra Streisand and his short-lived marriage to Brooke Shields.
This is a book for more than just tennis fans. It goes in depth with some overtly blunt revelations and captures Andre’s true feelings toward the sport of tennis.
Rafa: My Story – Rafael Nadal and John Carlin
What does it take to win 19 grand slams?
In the Rafa biography you get to know some of the secrets of his game, as well as the inspiring story behind all of his success.
Written with award-winning journalist John Carlin, the story begins in Mallorca, Spain. From the age of four, Nadal was coached by his uncle Toni, who taught him to always be gracious and humble.
Nadal is known to keep his personal life private, but in this book, we get a glimpse at some of the family issues he faced in 2009. Nadal also chronicles the athlete’s daily battles with injury and how he has rebounded to continue his successful career.
The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance – W. Timothy Gallwey
One of the classic tennis books of all time. This best-seller was published in 1972 and was once described by Billie Jean King as her “tennis bible.” It has been one of the best mental guides not just for tennis players, but for anyone who wants to improve his or her performance in any activity. Gallwey, a trendsetter in sports psychology, talks about the inner battle of overcoming self-doubt and anxiety and uses Zen thinking and humanistic psychology. Definitely a great read!
Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis – Lessons from a Master – Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison
Former tennis professional and ESPN analyst Gilbert shares all his tips and tricks for tennis players of all levels. Gilbert reached a career-high of no. 4 in the world, 30 years ago. This book delves into the tactics and strategies that can help one to beat better players without playing better tennis.
