Customer Reviews

On This Day in Tennis History: A Day-by-Day Anthology of Anecdotes and Historical Happenings

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Three years ago, I worked at the US Open compiling the daily tournament draw sheet. I began each issue in the same manner - by selecting my favorite item from a list of anecdotes and historical happenings for each day in US Open history.

This compilation was the brainchild of Randy Walker, who worked for years in the USTA's Marketing and Communications Division. Now Walker has expanded his media resource into a book encompassing generations of players and tournaments worldwide.

"On This Day in Tennis History" is an entertaining read for any sports history aficionado and an essential resource for tennis fans and writers alike.

Tennis is a sport with a long and storied history, full of intriguing trivia and facts. "On This Day in Tennis History: A Day-By-Day Anthology of Anecdotes and Historical Happenings" covers every day of the year and reveals important events in tennis history that had occurred on that particular day. The result is a certifiable encyclopedia of tennis in a day by day format. Any dedicated student of the game as well as general fans of sports trivia should strongly consider acquiring "On This Day in Tennis History".

This book is nirvana for the tennis aficionado. The entire book is easy reading; filled with anecdotes, history, and other snippets of tennis information. Organized by events occurring on a yearly calendar, the blurbs put into perspective the grandeur of the game and showcases the many characters who have played the game at its highest level.
One of the darkest and disheartening stories appears on page 141, dated April 16. That's when beloved tennis star Arthur Ashe announced his retirement at a San Francisco lecture. "Health is a factor, but that's not the only reason... I feel pretty good. My doctors say I will live to be 100, but they won't put that in writing."
Even those who don't follow the game closely know the circumstances of the legend's death and the impact it had on the game and the cultural and political landscape of the 80's.
On account of this book, for the first time in a decade, I watched the men's final of the Australian Open. What a match that was! With tennis titans Nadal and Federer embattled in a classic duel, I thought of Randy Walker's book and how it revived my interest in the game.
Hopefully, it will do the same for you.

The sports trivia fan in general and the tennis fan in particular will love this book. For each day of the year, including February 29, a short list of tennis events that occurred on that day is given. A complete description of the event is presented and the range of coverage is extensive. There are facts about great matches, unusual aspects regarding the matches and historic firsts and lasts from the significant to the arcane. For example, there is the following entry for July 18, 1930

"Wilmer Allison saves a record 18 match points in his Davis Cup victory against Giorgio de Stefani of Italy in the Davis Cup Inter-Zone Final at Roland Garros in Paris, France."

The mention of the record 18 match points demonstrates the level of detail included in the descriptions. Everything from the environmental heat on the court to the foul language used by the players is part of the complete explanations of the major events in the sport of tennis.

Do you know when Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe, the most fiery American champions, nearly came to blows? It was in the five-set final of the Michelob Light Challenge, a mere exhibition, in Rosemount, Ill., on Jan. 10, 1982. Do you know when Jack Kramer cruised to his first Wimbledon title -- losing only 37 games in seven matches as the first man to win there wearing shorts rather than traditional long flannel pants -- with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the Royal Box? It was July 4, 1947.
Do you know who was the last player to win an ATP tour event with a wooden racket? It was quirky stylist Miloslav Mecir, who won a five-set final over Yannick Noah at Indian Wells on March 19, 1989. What great act of sportsmanship was done by Andy Roddick May 5, 2005 that brought him accolades? Why was Aug. 31, 1881 a great day for American tennis, Aug. 15, 1995 a great day for Monica Seles, and Feb. 22, 2007 a great day for the entire sport? I'm not going to give away all the answers because I don't want to spoil the fun you'll have reading this day-by-day anthology of anecdotes, famous and not-so-famous historical happenings, and mini-biographies. Mixed in with the facts and stats are plenty of spicy and amusing quotes and often surprising trivia. One way or another, and often from several different angles, past and present champions from Tilden to Federer and Lenglen to Serena and near-champions are revealed in important and fascinating ways. "On This Day in Tennis History" is actually a mini-encyclopedia in disguise so that you can enjoy it in bits and pieces and then reread it at your leisure and pleasure. If you're a tennis newbie, you'll be enlightened on every page. If you're a tennis lifer, it will refresh your fond memories of glorious yesteryears. Either way, this book is a big winner.