14 December 2018

The tennis books of the year

Above, US Open winner Arthur Ashe with his father Arthur Ashe Sr.; photo by John G. Zimmerman

It's been a "very special year" for books about tennis, says Richard Jones, owner of Wimbledon's Tennis Gallery. The Tennis Gallery is a mecca for tennis publications and each year, from the tightly packed shop run by Richard and his wife, books and posters are sent all over the world to meet the Christmas demand. Here is Richard's selection of the best tennis books of the year. 
 


These books are available from the Tennis Gallery, Wimbledon Park, open 10-5, Tuesday to Saturday or by mail order at http://www.tennisgallerywimbledon.com 

QUOTE CODE “LTL” WITH YOUR ORDER AND RECEIVE A FREE 2019 TENNIS CALENDAR WORTH £12 


2018 WIMBLEDON ANNUAL £20
The new 2018 Wimbledon Official Annual is a 202-page illustrated record of The Championships in which there were some record-breaking matches and extraordinary upsets. The victories of Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber are celebrated, and the extraordinary men’s semi-finals are covered in depth. A superb gift.


CROSSING THE LINE  £30
This hardback from America tells the compelling story of Arthur Ashe’s victory at the 1968 US Open, the first open event at Forest Hills. Photographer John G. Zimmerman spent the final weekend of the tournament travelling around with Arthur, and the result is a remarkable photo-essay. (NB Only available in the Tennis Gallery shop, not online)

THE BIRTH OF LAWN TENNIS £65
This impressive 562-page book focuses on the first decade of lawn tennis, examining the game’s invention by Major Walter Wingfield in 1874, the first tennis at Wimbledon in 1875 and the inaugural Wimbledon Championships in 1877. Superbly-illustrated, in a casebound limited edition of 500 copies.


STANDING IN LINE £14.99
Author Ben Chatfield has been queuing for tickets at Wimbledon every year since the mid-1980s, and this hilarious and insightful memoir tells of the highs and lows, and the many interesting characters he has met. Delightfully illustrated by Zebedee Helm. 288 pages, hardback

I’LL TAKE THE SUNNY SIDE  £17.99
The entertaining sequel to Gordon Forbes’ earlier books A Handful of Summers and Too Soon to Panic. Forbes and Abe Segal formed the backbone of the South African Davis Cup team in the 1950s and 60s, and the book is packed with hilarious anecdotes about their travels together.

ANITA LIZANA by RUTH WESTON £12
Author Ruth Weston has written the story of her famous mother, 1937 US National champion Anita Lizana. Chile’s “Smiling Senorita of Tennis” did not win Wimbledon, but she certainly won the hearts of the Centre Court crowd. A true-life story of romance and tennis, with interesting archive photographs.

2018 ATP / WTA TOUR GUIDE £23
Jointly produced by the ATP and the WTA, this is the definitive guide to top professional tennis, with biographies of more than 200 players plus full details of all tournaments worldwide. Last few copies, but advance orders are now being taken for the 2019 edition which is due out in mid-January.

2018 WIMBLEDON COMPENDIUM £18
This 644-page reference book is packed full of Wimbledon facts, figures and records.
Now in its 28th year, the book is primarily produced for the benefit of journalists and broadcasters covering The Championships but is also available for members of the public to buy. Edited by Robert McNicol. Soft cover book, 644 pages

HELEN WILLS – Tennis, Art, Life £35
This newly-published coffee-table book tells the remarkable story of Helen Wills Moody, eight times Wimbledon singles champion between 1927 and 1938 and arguably the greatest woman tennis player of all time. Written by American tennis historian Jeanne Cherry, the book contains nearly 200 archive photographs.

THE YEAR IN TENNIS 2018 £29
Just published in Paris, this superb full-colour tennis annual has full coverage of all the Grand Slam tennis tournaments of 2018 including Novak Djokovic’s victory in New York just a few weeks ago. English language, with full results from Melbourne Park, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.

These books are available from The Tennis Gallery in Wimbledon Park, open 10-5, Tuesday to Saturday, or by mail order at http://www.tennisgallerywimbledon.com

QUOTE CODE “LTL” WITH YOUR ORDER AND RECEIVE A FREE 2019 TENNIS CALENDAR WORTH £12 (Offer ends 31st December 2018)