Bud Collins

Compiled by the world’s foremost tennis historian and journalist, this book is the ultimate collection of historical tennis information, including year-by-year recaps of every tennis season and biographical sketches of every major tennis personality, as well as stats, records, and championship rolls for all of the major events. This third edition is updated with the latest history-making records and covers the recent achievements of a galaxy of stars—including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Serena Williams—without forgetting the contributions of some of the foundational names in the sport, such as Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, and Andre Agassi. Collins highlights his own personal relationships with the sport’s biggest names, offering insights into the world of professional tennis that can’t be found anywhere else.

Depicting the monumental achievements of a world-class athlete, this firsthand account documents Rod Laver’s historic 1969 Grand Slam sweep of all four major tennis titles. Coauthored with renowned tennis expert Bud Collins, this frank memoir details Laver’s childhood, early career, and his most important matches. Each chapter also contains a companion tennis lesson, providing tips on how players of all levels can improve their own game and sharing strategies that garnered unparalleled success on the courts. Fully updated on the 40th anniversary of the author’s most prominent triumph, this revised edition contains brand new content, including the story of Laver’s courageous recovery from a near-fatal stroke in 1998.

In this outstanding collection of essays and interviews, Paul Fein takes the reader into the world of the pro tennis tour with inside scoops about the game’s greatest stars, past and present. Tennis Confidential includes interviews with such all-time greats as Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Arthur Ashe, and Jimmy Connors along with essays about the careers of other stars like Andre Agassi, the Williams sisters, Jennifer Capriati, and Anna Kournikova. Fein also reviews the careers of pioneering players like Martina Navratilova, Bjorn Borg, and Rod Laver. Tennis Confidential tackles the issues that confront the sport today, from the media’s fascination with teenage players on the women’s tour to the changes in the game caused by new racket designs and tactical innovations. Fein also reviews the ten greatest matches in tennis history. He gives fans at every level a unique perspective on the game and its history.