The Right Set: the Faber Book of Tennis

From Samuel Pepys to Martin Amis, tennis has attracted the attention of many prominent writers, perhaps because there are often other considerations on court, such as politics, class, sex, money, gender or race. This anthology contains pieces by novelists, journalists and players.

---

The game of tennis, genteel and volatile by turns, has attracted the attention of some of the finest writers - perhaps because, more than in most sports, there are always other considerations present on court: politics, class, sex, money, gender and race. At a time when the game is changing, with more money on offer, with players like Tim Henman and Venus Williams assuming the status of pop stars, and with an ever-increasing world-wide audience, The Right Set explores the past, present and future of tennis, with a wide-ranging selection of pieces from novelists, journalists and, more importantly, the players themselves.Included here are Martin Amis in praise of current Wimbeldon title-holder Pete Sampras, Alistair Cooke on 'Why I love Gabriela Sabatini', and Fred Perry describing his first Wimbledon win, when the crowds backed his Australian opponent, considering Perry too working-class.