Author and tennis historian Steve Flink profiles and ranks the greatest tennis matches in the history of the sport. Roger Federer, Billie Jean King, Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Rod Laver, and Chris Evert are all featured in this book that breaks down, analyzes, and puts into historical context the most memorable matches ever played. Practically providing readers with a courtside seat at tennis’ most historic and significant duels, this resource is sure to be the start—and end—of many tennis debates.
Excerpt from the book
INTRODUCTION Although tennis was invented in 1874 by an Englishman, Major Clopton Wingfield, it was not until the following century that the game proliferated and developed a worldwide following. While tennis had many admirable male and female champions in the formative stages, the first towering figures and fascinating match-ups among top players emerged in the 1920’s.
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That was a particularly dynamic decade for tennis and the sports world at large. Tennis, as a viable spectator sport, made strong advances behind such powerful players as Bill Tilden, Suzanne Lenglen, Helen Wills and the renowned French “Four Musketeers” – Rene Lacoste, Henri Cochet, jean Borotra and Jacques Brugnon.
