A game of tennis can be a fun way to have an active lifestyle. However, it is only with practice that one develops expertise in this game. Besides practicing or playing the game, one can also read the best tennis books authored by renowned tennis players and coaches to ace the game or stay motivated. Thus, we have compiled a list of some renowned books on tennis here, along with a small synopsis of each book, to enable both players and fans to make an informed purchasing decision.
11 Best Tennis Books
1. Best Autobiographical: Rafa
Those interested in tennis would surely have heard of Rafael Nadal Parera, the famous Spanish tennis player. This book about tennis, co-authored by him and award-winning journalist John Carlin, is an autobiography of Rafael Nadal. This book gives an insight into Nadal’s life as a sportsman while capturing moments from Wimbledon 2008, French Open, and US Open 2010, along with a little sneak peek into his personal life.
2. Best Inspiring: Winning Ugly – Mental Warfare In Tennis
Want to know how you can become a better player by being mentally tough? If yes, you must read The Winning Ugly, co-authored by Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison. In this book about tennis, Brad Gilbert, a former professional tennis player and held the world rank 4 in 1990, uses his inside access to analyze current stars like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams. Coming from an expert with a winning streak of 20 single titles, this book is a must-read for avid tennis lovers. Here’s a little more about the book from the author in the form of a video.
3. Best New York Bestseller: The Master
This book is definitely worth the read if you are searching for the best books on tennis. The author, Christopher Clarey, one of the top international sports writers, has covered Roger Federer since the start of his professional career. It provides a fascinating and complete portrait of the sportsman while demonstrating how and why he became a tennis superstar. This book will surely capture the attention of readers fascinated with Federer or professional tennis. This video sheds some more light on the book.
4. Best Insightful: String Theory
If you are a tennis fan looking for a captivating tennis book, look no further than this book by David Foster Wallace. It contains a collection of five enthralling essays, of which the very first one speaks about Wallace’s background in the sport. Here, many will be surprised to know he was a junior player in Illinois. The book further includes real-life incidents like a tornado crashing through the middle of a practice session and essays on tennis stars Michael Joyce and Roger Federer. So, if you love tennis, you will find it hard to skip this one! To know more about the book, watch this video.
5. Best Detailed: Strokes Of Genius
Did you watch the engrossing Wimbledon men’s final 2008? Many have compared it to a Shakespearean drama. In the last 4 hours and 48 minutes, the 22-year-old Rafael Nadal takes the cup away from the five-time champion Roger Federer through his hard fight. This match is considered one of the greatest of all times, and to get a better insight into it, this book by L. Jon Wertheim is a must-read!
6. Best Historic: US Open: 50 Years Of Championship Tennis
Bringing you unforgettable personalities and key moments from the US Open championship’s 50 years of history, this is one of the best tennis books you can get your hands on. You will get an insight into the professional lives of renowned tennis players such as Roger Federer and Serena Williams and the early years of tennis legends such as Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King. Original contributions from players, coaches, notable fans, and journalists make this a perfect buy or a gift for any tennis fan.
7. Best Instructions-Based: Essential Tennis
If you are looking for a slightly different tennis book that tells you what stops you from playing your best tennis, this one’s for you. Authored by Ian Westermann, the founder of EssentialTennis.com, this one lets you know interesting facts like the biggest obstacle to playing good tennis is the ball! It also helps you understand how to improve at tennis, play stronger shots, and make fewer errors. For tennis fans and players alike, this book is among the best tennis coaching books that you cannot miss.
8. Best For Movement Skills: Tennis Anatomy
Familiarize yourself with ways to dominate the court by improving your speed, strength, and agility with the help of this book about tennis authored by Roetert. E Paul. It includes over 75 exercises that help maximize power to meet the unique physical demands of tennis. The exercises are descriptive, with each step clearly written and supported by visuals, and they cover every area of the body, including arms, wrists, back, lower body, core, and shoulders. Doing these exercises consistently will help you cover the court with strength and efficacy.
9. Best With Illustrations: Wimbledon: The Official History
As many of you know, Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. But how many of you are aware of its history? Did you know that its story goes back to 1877, when an all-England croquet club held a tennis tournament on their grounds in Wimbledon to raise funds to repair a broken pony roller? If you’re keen to know more about this championship and its glorious and celebrated history, get your hands on this book on tennis.
10 Best For Kids: Chocovela Plays Tennis
This book is a must-read for kids who are tennis fans or plan to learn this sport. It tells us a story about a 4-year-old crocodile Chocovela who goes to the tennis court to learn to play tennis. However, thanks to his coach and tennis, he learns an important lesson on a positive attitude. It further speaks about how playing sports help kids channel their negative feelings positively. So, get your hands on this super interesting book on tennis.
11. Best Lifestyle-Oriented: The Stylish Life: Tennis
Tennis has always been a sociable pursuit where with whom you are playing and where you are playing matters. This book definitely gets counted among the best tennis books by successfully highlighting the other side of this game— tennis as a stylish, sophisticated sport. From tennis sports brands to stylish players, such as Maria Sharapova and Arthur Ashe, this book about tennis is a must-read to also view this sport from the point of view of style and sophistication.
How To Choose The Right Tennis Book?
Here are a few points to consider when selecting the right tennis book.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah, our product writer, specializes in writing about books and kids’ products. He is an avid reader himself and has a knack for identifying the best books for each age group. Using his experience and knowledge, he has curated this list of the best tennis books by referring to various sources and websites. He has also provided a brief description for each of these books, along with a comprehensive buying guide, to help you choose the right one based on your interests.
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