Federer and Laver Write Great Tennis Books

Written by: Staff on 16th November 2011

BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis Tournament

Federer and Laver Write Great Tennis Books

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after winning his final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 13 November 2011. EPA/CHRISTOPHE SAIDI / POOL |

“Roger Federer: Quest for Perfection” and Rod Laver’s memoir “The Education of a Tennis Player” – as well as books by other Wimbledon champions Sidney Wood and Jan Kodes – are a few of the books published by New Chapter Press available as gifts for tennis fans for the holidays.

New Chapter Press is the leading publisher of tennis books in the United States featuring titles written by and about some of the greatest players of all-time, tennis history books that document tales, records and happenings in the sport, as well as instructional books to improve play and strategy.

“Roger Federer: Quest for Perfection” ($19.95, www.RogerFedererBook.com) was written by Rene Stauffer, the esteemed Swiss tennis journalist who has covered Federer since the budding tennis champion was a 15-year-old. The book chronicles Federer’s life as tempermental junior player, through his early struggles on the ATP Tour and his break-through win at Wimbledon in 2003 and winning his record-breaking 15th major singles title at Wimbledon in 2009. The book also focuses on Federer’s values, how he has been marketed, his relationship with the media as well as his numerous charitable pursuits.

“The Education of a Tennis Player” ($19.95) is the memoir of Rod Laver that focuses mainly on his famous 1969 Grand Slam season, capped off by his win over fellow Australian Tony Roche in the final of the U.S. Open. Laver also writes about his childhood and early days in tennis, his 1962 Grand Slam and offers tips on how players of all levels can improve their game. He also shares some of the strategies that helped him to unparalleled success on the tennis court.

“The Bud Collins History of Tennis” ($35.95, 784 pages) is the ultimate compilation of historical tennis information written by the world’s most famous tennis journalist and tennis historian. The book includes year-by-year recaps of every tennis season, biographical sketches of every major tennis personality, as well as stats, records, and championship rolls for all the major events. The author’s personal relationships with major tennis stars offer insights into the world of professional tennis found nowhere else.

“The Wimbledon Final That Never Was” ($15.95) details the life and times of Hall of Famer and Wimbledon champion Sidney Wood with a focus on one of the most unusual episodes ever in sport when he won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon by forfeit. Wood, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 97, tells the story of how he won the title over Frank Shields, his school buddy, doubles partner, roommate and Davis Cup teammate – and the grandfather of actress and model Brooke Shields – when Shields was ordered by the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) to withdraw from the final to rest his injured knee in preparation for a U.S. Davis Cup match following Wimbledon. He then discusses his “private understanding playoff” that saw his match with Shields at the Queen’s Club tournament final in London three years later be played for the Wimbledon trophy. Other fascinating tales from Hollywood and tennis through the years are also shared in this wildly entertaining book.

“Jan Kodes: A Journey To Glory From Behind The Iron Curtain” ($49.95) by Jan Kodes, is a coffee table book that provides a narrative and illustrated history of Czech tennis through the eyes of Kodes and author Peter Kolar. The book, filled with hundreds of unique and personal photographs, documents the successful journey of Kodes from political turmoil of the Cold War to international tennis fame, detailing the early days of darkness and family persecution in communist Czechoslovakia and the complexities of becoming a professional tennis player under a totalitarian regime. Entertaining anecdotes featuring Czech tennis legends Ivan Lendl and Martina Navratilova are also featured as well as the stories behind Kodes’ victories at Wimbledon and the French Open and his two runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open.

“Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” ($19.95, www.CliffRicheyBook.com) was written by former U.S. No. 1 Cliff Richey along with his oldest daughter Hilaire Richey Kallendorf and details the life and tennis career of Richey, providing readers with his real-life drama – on and off the tennis court. Richey’s depression is a constant theme, from his genetics and family history, to the tensions of his professional tennis career and family life, to his eventual diagnosis and steps to recover from his condition. This book inspires people to never to give up, no matter how difficult life may be.

“Tennis Made Easy”($19.95) by Kelly Gunterman is an accessible, concise and informative paperback guide that offers sensible and simple instruction, explained in a clear, jargon-free format, drawn from 30 years of tennis coaching. Effective for tennis players of all levels, this workbook includes a wealth of tactics, strategies, and definitions that is perfectly suited for beginners to the sport. Integrating productive and enjoyable practice drills, a wide range of topics are explored—gripping the racket, perfecting your serve, positioning, pressuring the opponent, and how to play singles or doubles. Clear information on choosing equipment and deciding what to pack in a tennis bag is also included.

“On This Day In Tennis History” ($19.95, 528 pages, www.TennisHistoryBook.com), by Randy Walker is a fun and fact-filled compilation that offers anniversaries, summaries, and anecdotes of events from the world of tennis for every day in the calendar year. Presented in a day-by-day format, the entries into this mini-encyclopedia include major tournament victory dates, summaries of the greatest matches ever played, trivia and statistics as well as little-known and quirky happenings.

“A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” ($14.99) by Tony Serksnis is an engaging tutorial that explains the ins and outs of being on a tennis team and provides a blueprint for managing and competing within the team structure. The book also provides strategies, concepts and tips on everything from pre-match preparations to maintaining team chemistry. This is not a book on the “how to” of tennis strokes or play, but rather a blueprint for a team to operate effectively towards their goals.

Topics: Rod Laver, Roger Federer