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Whether you’re a tennis player, coach, or just a fan, there are tons of great books on the subject of tennis. In this post, we’re keeping a running list of some of the best tennis books.
This list is broken up into three categories:
- General Reading and Coffee Table Books
- Biographies & Autobiographies
- Tennis Instruction, Techniques, and Coaching
General Reading & Tennis Coffee Table Books
Top Review
- “Wallace’s grasp of tennis was truly prodigious… He has often been described as the best tennis writer of all time, and these essays don’t disabuse that notion.” — The Guardian (UK)
Top Review
- “McPhee has produced what is probably the best tennis book ever written. On the surface it is a joint profile of . . . Arthur Ashe and Clark Graebner, but underneath it is considerably more–namely, a highly original way of looking at human behavoir . . . He proves his point with consummate skill and journalistic artistry. You are the way you play, he is saying. The court is life.” ― Donald Jackson, Life
Top Review
- “If you are an avid tennis fan, you would love this most beautiful historical 50 memorable years of tennis. I was flipping through the pages and viewing the photos of tennis players then and now and thought what a brilliant compilation. Excellent foreword by Serena Williams. Well worth the money.” ― Dedicated Tennis Fan, Amazon Review
Biographies and Autobiographies
Top Review
- “Agassi may have just penned one of the best sports autobiographies of all time. Check—it’s one of the better memoirs out there, period. . . . An unvarnished, at times inspiring story [told] in an arresting, muscular style. . . . Agassi’s memoir is just as entrancing as his tennis game.” — Time
Top Review
- “A fascinating and well-written (with the help of Vanity Fair journalist Rich Cohen) insight into her struggles, triumphs, obsession with Williams, Russian pessimism and the roots of that famous haughtiness.” ― Simon Hattenstone, The Guardian
Synopsis
- In his memoir, written with award-winning journalist John Carlin, tennis star Rafael Nadal reveals the secrets of his game and shares the inspiring personal story behind his success. What makes a champion? What does it take to be the best in the world at your sport? Rafael Nadal has the answers.
Synopsis
- Rod Laver’s memoir is the inspiring story of how a diminutive, left-handed, red-headed country boy from Rockhampton, Australia became one of sports’ greatest champions. Rod was a dominant force in world tennis for almost two decades. In 1962, Rod became the second man to win the Grand Slam—that is, winning the Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US titles in a single calendar year. In 1969, he won it again, becoming the only player ever to win the Grand Slam twice. Away from on-court triumphs, Rod also movingly writes about the life-changing stroke he suffered in 1998, and of his beloved wife of more than 40 years, Mary, who died in 2012 after a long illness. Filled with anecdotes about the great players and great matches, set against the backdrop of a changing tennis world, Rod’s book is a warm and insightful account of one of tennis’s all-time greats.
Tennis Technique, Instruction, and Coaching
Here are some of the best books on tennis technique, instruction, and coaching. Whether you’re a player or a coach, these books have a lot to offer.
Synopsis
- With more than 800,000 copies sold since it was first published thirty years ago, this phenomenally successful guide (The Inner Game of Tennis) has become a touchstone for hundreds of thousands of people. Not just for tennis players, or even just for athletes in general, this handbook works for anybody who wants to improve his or her performance in any activity, from playing music to getting ahead at work.
Top Review
- I need specific training ideas for my team practices, and this book has plenty of specifics. The “Coaching Tips” are really good—they zero in on important concepts to concentrate on. The “Players’ Tips” will benefit some of my players—I am going to encourage them to read it. We have some pushy parents, and I am going to suggest they read the book for the sections written just for them. ― High School Coach, Amazon Review
Top Review
- “Winning Ugly is a totally new approach to getting more out of your tennis game. I wish it had been around when I was learning how to play.” ― Jim Courier, Former World No. 1 Professional Tennis Player
Synopsis
- Master Your Tennis Game serves up quick mental techniques, tactics, and tips for boosting your overall performance and beating your opponents. Train your brain and be the best tennis player you can be. Concise, fun, and easy to read, this book offers 50 practical and actionable methods that show you how to stay calm and concentrate during any tennis game. Even if your rival is tough competition, outsmart them with these targeted mental approaches.
Post last updated on September 16, 2020