In Grand Slams of Tennis, join author and tennis tragic Eamon Evans as he picks apart the rich tapestry that is the history of Grand Slam tennis. Learn who liked to play without underpants, who never changes her socks, which player has been in and out of jail ... and which one became a nun. Complete with profiles of each of the four Grand Slam tournaments, as well as breakdowns of modern tennis’s most breathtaking matches and an insight into what being a champion is like off the court, this is a must-read for any fan who likes their tennis served with a laugh. The Grand Slams of Tennis are big in every way: they feature the most players and they fork out the most prize money; they have the shiniest trophies and the noisiest crowds. Factor in insane fans, legendary tempers and disintegrating wigs, and you’ve got everything you need for high drama on centre court.

Before Federer versus Nadal, before Borg versus McEnroe, the greatest tennis match ever played pitted the dominant Don Budge against the seductively handsome Baron Gottfried von Cramm. This deciding 1937 Davis Cup match, played on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon, was a battle of titans: the world's number one tennis player against the number two; America against Germany; democracy against fascism. For five superhuman sets, the duo’s brilliant shotmaking kept the Centre Court crowd–and the world–spellbound. But the match’s significance extended well beyond the immaculate grass courts of Wimbledon. Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the brink of World War II, one man played for the pride of his country while the other played for his life. Budge, the humble hard-working American who would soon become the first man to win all four Grand Slam titles in the same year, vied to keep the Davis Cup out of the hands of the Nazi regime. On the other side of the net, the immensely popular and elegant von Cramm fought Budge point for point knowing that a loss might precipitate his descent into the living hell being constructed behind barbed wire back home. Born into an aristocratic family, von Cramm was admired for his devastating good looks as well as his unparalleled sportsmanship. But he harbored a dark secret, one that put him under increasing Gestapo surveillance. And his situation was made even more perilous by his refusal to join the Nazi Party or defend Hitler. Desperately relying on his athletic achievements and the global spotlight to keep him out of the Gestapo’s clutches, his strategy was to keep traveling and keep winning. A Davis Cup victory would make him the toast of Germany. A loss might be catastrophic. Watching the mesmerizingly intense match from the stands was von Cramm’s mentor and all-time tennis superstar Bill Tilden–a consummate showman whose double life would run in ironic counterpoint to that of his German pupil. Set at a time when sports and politics were inextricably linked, A Terrible Splendor gives readers a courtside seat on that fateful day, moving gracefully between the tennis match for the ages and the dramatic events leading Germany, Britain, and America into global war. A book like no other in its weaving of social significance and athletic spectacle, this soul-stirring account is ultimately a tribute to the strength of the human spirit.

This is a single-volume illustrated tennis reference that traces the game from its relaxed beginnings as a pastime of the 1800s through to what has become the high-energy, all-action, global sport of the 21st century. It includes comprehensive chapters profiling the legends of the game and over 150 top players, analysis of tennis' historic matches, world famous tournaments and global development, as well as extensive features on the politics, controversies and oddities of the game. Containing over 200 photographs and complete with a record of all Grand Slam winners, every player, every tournament and every issue of importance in the game of tennis is highlighted.

The first Wimbledon tennis tournament was held in 1877. Today, tennis is a highly paid professional sport. From Roger Federer to Venus and Serena Williams, discover the game’s greatest players and their achievements in Tennis Legends, a Hall of Fame book. This series invites readers to explore some of the best-loved sports in the United States. Each book pairs fascinating facts with brilliant photography to showcase the history, statistics, championships, and legends of each sport.

The book is in three sections, the first of which comprises a set of essays looking at controversial issues facing those who administer the world game of tennis in the 21st century. Topics covered include on-court coaching, Hawk-Eye, the ATP doubles reforms, and whether the interests of TV run counter to the long-term interests of the sport.