2014 Best Books December 16 2014
As Christmas fast approaches it is time once again for us to announce our coveted TENNIS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD. It's not coveted actually, well not much, but we enjoy looking back on a vintage year of tennis publishing. So here we go, counting down in reverse order:
10 THE SPORTING STATESMAN: Novak Djokovic & The Rise of Serbia by Chris Bowers
We've had very positive feedback from readers, and Chris Bowers has done a great job combining the story of Novak's tennis career up to early 2014 with the tumultuous changes that have occurred in his native Serbia during his short lifetime.
9 ATP NO.1s
First published in 2013, a new hardback edition brings the story of the elite group of players who have finished as year-end No.1 on the ATP World Tour fully up to date as of 31 December 2013.
8 ATP STORY by Luca Marianantoni
A useful book for looking up the career progress of any player who reached the ATP's Top 100 during the last forty years.
7 WIMBLEDON 2014 by Paul Newman
A new author, but the same wonderful retrospective look at the world's most prestigious tennis tournament.
6 2014 WIMBLEDON COMPENDIUM by Alan Little
All you could ever possibly need to know about the Wimbledon Championships and the All England Club.
5 PAIN, SET & MATCH by Bill Norris with Richard Evans
Bill Norris has been seen countless times on TV, rushing onto court to treat the injuries of stars from Agassi to Federer, and Sampras to Nadal. This book is privately published and fills in important gap in fans' understanding of the modern pro game.
4 WIMBLEDON - THE OFFICIAL HISTORY by John Barrett
A new updated 2014 edition, with full coverage of Andy Murray's historic Wimbledon 2013 triumph.
3 A LOAD OF BALLS by Jamie Feaver
The cult book of the year. Jamie Feaver strove for a decade to make it on the ATP World Tour, travelling the world in search of glory and ranking points. His down-to-earth approach to achieving the dream is an inspiration for all aspiring young players and their parents.
2 2014 ATP / WTA TOUR MEDIA GUIDE
The year's number one reference book, an indispensible guide to the players and tournaments of the ATP and WTA Tours.
1= THE GOLDEN DAYS OF TENNIS ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA by Alan Little
Alan Little has brought the Riviera tennis scene to life in this marvellous coffee-table book. Every tennis lover should read it and look at the amazing archive photographs.
1= ROD LAVER - AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Rod is the greatest, and he tells his compelling story with honesty and humility. This book is up there in the top handful of tennis life stories ever published.