The Greatest Tennis Matches of the Twentieth Century (Hardcover)

by Steve Flink (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Steve Flink is the right person to take on the task of selecting the best matches of the twentieth century. He knows the game of tennis as well as anybody. He is a good journalist, but he also has a tennis player's mind." -- - Chris Evert, Former World Champion, Current NBC Tennis Analyst

"The Greatest Tennis Matches of the Twentieth Century is a masterful tennis epic. Its pages are brimming with insight, hindsight, and as always with Steve Flink, 20/20 vision of the subtleties and complexities of a match. From Budge to Becker and 'Little Mo' to the mighty Martinas, he will guide you through the greatest matches you ever saw, or never saw. The game's finest players and brightest moments will come alive and play again, right before your eyes. This book is a tennis treasure." -- - Mary Carillo, CBS Television Commentator

"The perceptive Steve Flink takes you to courtside for the game's most illustrious matches and brings them back to life." -- -Bud Collins, Boston Globe and NBC Sports

From the Publisher
The players capture and contain our attention as in no other sporting event. Within the limited space defined by a single tennis court, the infinite possibilities of skill and strategy, power and persistence, make major matches between top flight competitors unique and, at their best, historic.

The final scores do not fully convey the inherent drama when remarkable athletic ability and psychological undercurrents are brought to the tennis court in a confrontation between talented players. The mental calculation, the probing for weakness, and physical stamina, are tested on surfaces that vary, before audiences that may be partisan, and in weather that can confound both predictions and outcomes. The game has evolved from a genteel pastime for the wealthy into an international professional sport with high stakes and fierce composition.

Author and tennis historian Steve Flink has examined the developing nature of the game as it became a popular amateur sport, and then inexorably entered the realm of professional sports with its large spectator facilities, television coverage, and big purses.

Flink has illuminated that evolution by selecting thirty supremely interesting and consequential matches played by both men and women over the course of the twentieth century. He presents them chronologically and provides an in-depth description of each match, including what happened to the adversaries before and after the event.

Flink, in his introduction, tells us how and why he made his choices. In his match narratives, he provides the background and preparation of each combatant. The reader will become part of the audience, and will learn how the outcomes depended upon key points shaped by intuitive intelligence, along with physical strength and agility. His comprehensive accounts produce both depth and excitement.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Rutledge Books (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158244076X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582440767
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,135,407 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Love Tennis You'll Love This Book, December 14, 1999

By	Laney Becker (New York) - See all my reviews

Mr. Flink has done exactly what his titled promised. By assembling the best matches of the century he introduced me to some players I'd never heard of; he helped me relive some matches I'd been fortunate enough to witness; he reminded me once again of why I really love this game! I found the book very entertaining and "educational." I bought a copy for my tennis pro and for each of my doubles partners. A must-have for every tennis fan.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fans of professional tennis will enjoy this fascinating book, February 16, 2000

By A Customer

This marvelously researched book put me "courtside" to capture all the exciting moments in these 30 historic matches. I was rewarded with informed insights into the emotions and the psyches of the great champions of tennis during these tense and dramatic encounters.

I especially enjoyed reading about the pre-match dynamics as well as how the outcome impacted the careers of the players. Plus there are great photos of the players in action.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for tennis fans, May 12, 2000

By	"bingsley" (Morristown, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

I enjoyed this book and read it over the course of a few nights. It was a treat to go back and revisit (or visit for the first time)these great matches. I was disappointed because the women's matches did not seem to be as interesting as the men's matches. I was also concerned that some great matches were left out b/c they did not involve the dominant players of a generation. Overall, though, a must for any tennis player who wants to be entertained for hours.