32 Best Tennis Books

Andre Agassi recounts a tennis career shaped by his demanding father and an uneasy relationship with the sport. His autobiography explores fame, marriage, personal struggles, philanthropy, and the contrast between public achievement and private unhappiness.

Timothy Gallwey explores the mental obstacles that interfere with tennis performance, including self-doubt and lapses in concentration. He explains how relaxed attention and trust in the body's abilities can support learning and better play.

Brad Gilbert explains the mental and tactical side of tennis, using experiences from professional competition. He discusses reading opponents, handling difficult playing styles, protecting leads, recognizing opportunities, and resisting gamesmanship rather than concentrating on stroke technique.

Structured point by point around the 1968 U.S. Open semifinal between Arthur Ashe and Clark Graebner, this book alternates on-court action with biographical portraits. Tennis becomes a way to explore race, class, temperament, and late-1960s American life.

Wallace's five tennis essays, collected in one volume, move from his own Midwestern junior-player days to sharp pieces on Tracy Austin, Michael Joyce, the US Open, and Roger Federer. It is sportswriting full of close attention, awe, and argument.

Rafael Nadal recounts his childhood in Majorca, the family relationships behind his career, and the pressures of elite tennis. Written with John Carlin, the memoir explores training, injury, rivalry, and the mindset behind his major tournament victories.

Gordon Forbes recalls learning tennis in South Africa and traveling the international circuit with players of the 1950s and 1960s. His memoir follows friendships, mishaps, and encounters that reveal the everyday life surrounding tournament competition.

Arthur Ashe reflects on his life in tennis, racial inequality, family, activism, and illness. Written with Arnold Rampersad, the memoir connects the pressures of public leadership with personal convictions and the questions he faced beyond the court.

Ian Westermann and Joel Chasnoff explain ways to improve tennis through stroke fundamentals, movement, strategy, practice, and mental habits. The lessons help recreational players connect what they work on during training with decisions made in matches.

L. Jon Wertheim examines the 2008 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Match reporting, tactical analysis, and background on both players explain how their contrasting games and personalities met in a prolonged championship contest.

Christopher Clarey follows Roger Federer from his Swiss childhood through the development of his championship career. Reporting and interviews examine his temperament, relationships, rivalries, and evolving game, giving readers a detailed account of the person behind his performances.

Conor Niland recounts life on tennis’s lower professional circuits, where travel costs, uncertain earnings, and isolation shape daily decisions. His memoir shows how players outside the elite pursue opportunities while sharing a sport dominated by its stars.

John McEnroe recounts his rise in professional tennis, major rivalries, and life beyond competition, with James Kaplan. The autobiography explores family, fame, and the temperament that shaped both his accomplishments and his conflicts on court.

Pete Sampras reflects on the habits, relationships, and decisions behind his tennis career, with Peter Bodo. He discusses training, major matches, rivalries, and handling expectations, connecting championship experiences with the mental demands of staying successful.

Billie Jean King recounts her tennis career, the struggle for equal opportunities in women’s sport, and her personal search for identity. The autobiography connects major matches with relationships, organizing, and the costs of public leadership.

James Blake recounts the year when a fractured neck, his father's death, and an illness that paralyzed part of his face threatened his tennis career. The memoir follows his recovery and return to elite competition.

John McEnroe reflects on life after his championship career, including broadcasting, fatherhood, music, art collecting, and encounters with other players. Personal anecdotes accompany his outspoken views on contemporary tennis, celebrity, and the challenges of reinventing himself.

Maria Sharapova recounts her journey from childhood in Russia to tennis training in America and Grand Slam success. Her memoir explores her father's sacrifices, intense rivalries, injuries, and the suspension controversy that threatened her career.

Pat Blaskower explains doubles positioning, shot selection, communication, and teamwork, supported by practice drills. The book helps partners understand their shared responsibilities and develop coordinated responses to the recurring situations they face during a match.

Matthew Futterman reports on the routines, ambitions, and personal pressures of professional tennis players. Following established champions and rising competitors, he examines the work and uncertainty behind performances that spectators usually see only during tournament matches.

Jimmy Connors recounts the family influences, rivalries, and personal experiences behind his tennis career. His memoir follows his development as a competitor while exploring the relationships and decisions that accompanied life in the public eye.

Starting over in El Paso as his marriage falters, Abraham Verghese befriends a medical student recovering from addiction. Their shared tennis games build an intimate friendship, but the student's returning troubles challenge the trust and stability both men seek.

Sebastián Torok traces Juan Martin del Potro’s rise, his 2009 US Open victory, and the injuries that interrupted his career. The biography follows his comeback, Olympic success, and role in Argentina’s Davis Cup triumph while portraying his personality off court.

Alan Mills looks back on his tennis career, from playing professionally to serving as Wimbledon's referee. His autobiography recounts his association with the All England Club and the responsibilities behind his familiar presence at the tournament.

Billie Jean King draws life lessons from her tennis career and the 1973 Battle of the Sexes match. She reflects on preparation, relationships, integrity, and opportunity, connecting experiences on the court with challenges in work and everyday life.

Rod Laver traces his journey from rural Queensland to the amateur and professional tennis circuits. Written with Larry Writer, the memoir recalls major victories and rivalries while reflecting on family life, his stroke, and the changing sport.

Simon Graf presents a thematic portrait of Roger Federer drawn from years of reporting on his career. He explores Federer’s temperament, family relationships, rivalry with Rafael Nadal, lasting enthusiasm for tennis, and public role beyond competition.

Boris Becker recounts his tennis career and the personal controversies surrounding it, from winning Wimbledon at seventeen to retirement. Championship memories sit alongside accounts of marriage, divorce, tax troubles, and struggles with pills and alcohol.

Peter Underwood recounts the professional tennis circuit before the Open Era, when paid players were excluded from major tournaments. Through eight champions’ stories, he explores touring life, rivalries, financial pressures, and the struggle for recognition.

Mark Hodgkinson combines biography, interviews, photographs, and infographics to explore Roger Federer’s tennis career. Visual analysis examines serving, shot patterns, movement, and performance under pressure, alongside the personal development behind his transformation into a composed champion.

Nick Bollettieri presents a development system for tennis players and coaches. The handbook combines stroke instruction, serving techniques, singles and doubles strategies, practice drills, and physical and mental conditioning to help readers refine their game.

Andy Murray recounts the journey to his 2013 Wimbledon title, focusing on the preceding two years. He describes pivotal matches, training, his supporting team, and the physical and mental demands of reaching the top of tennis.