A biography of Steffi Graf. Her talent and determination have taken Graf from child prodigy to a Grand Slam and the number one position in women's tennis. Despite the focus of international media, she has remained an enigmatic figure. This book looks at both her private and public persona.
A biography of the West German tennis player who won her first Grand Slam tournament at seventeen and beat Martina Navratilova to win her first Wimbledon tournament in 1989.
This New York Times hardcover bestseller is a remarkable journey through fame, tragedy, self-discovery, and triumph Getting a Grip chronicles Monica Seles's early success on the tennis circuit where, at age sixteen, she became the youngest winner in French Open history. For three years she dominated the tour, seemingly unstoppable, until a deranged Steffi Graf fan plunged a knife into her back during a match in Hamburg and turned her life upside down. Her injuries healed but the emotional trauma was deep. She spent more than two years in seclusion from the media and the tennis world, trying to fight off the fog of despair until she continued the battle against herself-grueling six-hour workouts were sabotaged by secretive late- night binges-and she was assaulted with criticism about her weight from her trainers and, most brutally, the press. After an excruciating injury forced her to take time off from tennis in 2003, Seles embarked on her own journey. As she uncovered the painful emotional reasons that had been the trigger for her binge-eating, she finally found the peace and balance she had been searching for. Seles's determination, amazing talent, and touching vulnerability make her story truly inspiring.
Driven by his love of tennis, Mike Agassi decided to teach his children how to play the game. It was his son Andreӳ talent that shone through the brightest, and Andre became dominant in the world of menӳ tennis. The Agassi Story begins on the streets of
In this wildly entertaining and informative memoir reminiscent of Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch—but set in the world of tennis—one man recounts his all-consuming obsession with Roger Federer and delves into the fascinating history of professional sports and fandom. For much of the past decade, William Skidelsky has had an obsessive devotion to Roger Federer, whom he considers to be the greatest and most graceful tennis player of all time. In this mesmerizing memoir, Skidelsky ponders what it is about the Swiss star that transfixes him and countless others. Skidelsky dissects the wonders of Federer’s forehand, reflects on his rivalry with Nadal, revels in his victories, and relives his most crushing defeats. But in charting his obsession, Skidelsky also weaves his own past into a captivating story that explores the evolution of modern tennis, the role of beauty in sports, and the psychology of fandom. Thought-provoking and beautifully written, Federer and Me is a frank, funny, and touching account of one fan’s life.
As one of the preeminent interviewers of our time, Claudia Dreifus crisscrosses the globe to interview an eclectic selection of the world's most powerful and interesting women and men, the people whose opinions will shape our future. Dreifus's interviews, by the subjects she chooses and the questions she asks, depict her own forceful vision of our times, as well as that of those she interviews. Interview is a cornucopia of interviews with leading writers, generals and politicians, television newscasters and actors, spiritual leaders and famous spouses. The book is divided into six sections. Saints: The Dalai Lama (2 interviews), Aung San Suu Kyi, Andrew Young; Visionaries: Esther Dyson, The Tofflers, Art Caplan; Media Freaks: Cokie Roberts/Nina Totenberg/Linda Wertheimer, Dan Rather, Richard Dreyfuss, Samuel Jackson; Warriors: Colin Powell, Gen. John Shalikashvili, Benazir Bhutto, Joycelyn Elders, Serge and Beate Klarsfeld; Poets: Isaac Bashevis Singer, Toni Morrison, Arthur Miller; Citizens: Nadine Strassen, Barney Frank, Myrlie Evers.
The tennis classic from Olympic gold medalist and ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert, now featuring a new introduction with tips drawn from the strategies of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and more, to help you outthink and outplay your toughest opponents. A former Olympic medalist and now one of ESPN’s most respected analysts, Brad Gilbert shares his timeless tricks and tips, including “some real gems” (Tennis magazine) to help both recreational and professional players improve their game. In the new introduction to this third edition, Gilbert uses his inside access to analyze current stars such as Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, showing readers how to beat better players without playing better tennis. Written with clarity and wit, this classic combat manual for the tennis court has become the bible of tennis instruction books for countless players worldwide.
Welcome to this series of Short Talking Books. This volume focuses on the careers of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in their respective Grand Slam Finals. The book is written in a conversational question and answer format. The print size offers an easier read for small devices like mobile phones.
A comprehensive manual on all aspects of the game of lawn tennis for players, coaches and officials. After an introduction to the sport and its basic procedure there follows a practical guide to modern equipment and clothing. The core of the book explains technique and tactics in detail, demonstrated in sequence photographs of Jo Durie and Clare Wood. There are separate sections on coaching, the mental approach, training and injury, doubles and short tennis, and expert advice on sports movement, umpiring and turning professional. AUTHOR: Alan Jones is a former LTA National Coach, and one of the game's most respected teachers. He currently coaches Jo Durie and Jeremy Bates. Jonathan Wood is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers. He has won two Guild accolades, the Pierre Dreyfus Award for "outstanding journalistic effort" and the Montagu Trophy for his book of Wheels of Misfortune, for which he also won the Society of Automotive Historians' Cugnot Award. 78 colour & 212 b/w photos