Novak Djokovic stands one match away from winning his fourth consecutive major tennis tournament and becoming the first man to hold all four major titles at the same time since Rod Laver won his second Grand Slam in 1969. Tennis fans can read the first-hand account of Laver winning all four majors in his memoir “The Education of a Tennis Player,” updated with co-author Bud Collins in 2009.
“The Education of a Tennis Player” is Laver’s first-hand account of 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 won 50 years ago 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.
Originally published in 1971, “The Education of a Tennis Player” ($19.95, available in hard and electronic formats here on Amazon.com: http://m1e.net/c?136915875-GbLSxsXxloQo6%407592552-PUwpmze/hOH5I where ever books are sold and directly via www.NewChapterMedia.com) was updated by Laver and Collins with new content including his recovery from a near-fatal stroke in 1998 and helping Australia once again win the Davis Cup in 1973. The memoir features descriptions of Laver’s most suspenseful matches and memorable portraits of his biggest rivals Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, Tony Roche and Pancho Gonzalez.
Laver captured 11 major singles titles during his career, including Wimbledon in 1961, 1962, 1968 and 1969. After joining Don Budge as the only man to win a Grand Slam by sweeping all four majors in 1962, Laver turned professional where he, along with fellow pros Hoad, Rosewall and Gonzalez, were banned from playing the “amateur-only” major tournaments. When the “Open Era” of tennis began in 1968, Laver netted another five major singles titles, including his Grand Slam sweep of all four in 1969. Laver won nearly 200 singles titles during his career and was inducted into the International Tennis of Fame in 1981.
Djokovic will face six-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s men’s singles final at Roland Garros in Paris. Nadal will be seeking his record seventh French Open men’s singles title, surpassing the record he now shares with Bjorn Borg. Nadal will also look to win his 11th major singles title, tying him with Laver and Borg.
Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com) is also the publisher of “Roger Federer: Quest for Perfection” by Rene Stauffer (www.RogerFedererBook.com), “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” by Bud Collins, “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All Time” by Steve Flink, “The Wimbledon Final That Never Was” by Sidney Wood, “Titanic: The Tennis Story” by Lindsay Gibbs, ”Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” by Cliff Richey (www.CliffRicheyBook.com), “Tennis Made Easy” by Kelly Gunterman, “On This Day In Tennis History” by Randy Walker (www.TennisHistoryBook.com), “A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” by Tony Serksnis, “Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games” by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli (www.Boycott1980.com), “A Journey To Glory From Behind The Iron Curtain” by Jan Kodes, “The Lennon Prophecy” by Joe Niezgoda (www.TheLennonProphecy.com), “How To Sell Your Screenplay” by Carl Sautter, “Lessons from the Wild” by Shayamal
Vallabhjee, “Bone Appetit, Gourmet Cooking For Your Dog” by Susan Anson, “The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle” by Stewart Wolpin, “People’s Choice Cancun – Travel Survey Guidebook” by Eric Rabinowitz and “Weekend Warriors: The Men of Professional Lacrosse” by Jack McDermott, “The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle” by Stewart Wolpin among others.
Topics: 10sBalls.com sports, Bud Collins, Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver, Tennis News