Synopsis
WhenConor Nilandwas 16, he got the chance to hit with Serena Williams at Nick Bollettieri's famed tennis academy. Conor, the Irish junior number one, was feeling a bit homesick. Serena, also 16, already owned her own house beside the academy.
Conor Niland knows what it's like when Roger Federer walks into the dressing room ('Ciao, bonjour, hello!'), and he has had the exquisitely terrible experience of facing Novak Djokovic in the world's biggest tennis stadium - while suffering from food poisoning. But he never reached the very top. The Racket is the story of pro tennis's 99%: the players who roam the globe in hope of climbing the rankings and squeaking into the Grand Slam tournaments. It brings us into a world where a few dozen super-rich players - travelling with coaches and physios - share a stage with lonely touring pros whose earnings barely cover their expenses.
Painting a vivid picture of the social dynamics on tour, the economics of the game, and the shadows cast by gambling and doping, The Racket is a witty and revealing underdog's memoir and a unique look inside a fascinating hidden world.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Conor Niland grew up in Limerick, and was Ireland's top-ranked tennis player for much of his youth and all of his adult career. As a youth player he beat Roger Federer - and he still has his coach's notes on the match. His career peaked in 2011, when he reached the main draw of both Wimbledon and the US Open. He lives in Dublin with his wife and two children.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Racket: On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation...
Stock Image
The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR014394660
Buy Used
US$ 7.92
US$ 7.58 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller Image
The Racket
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. THE NO. 1 BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD'As elegant and powerful as a Federer backhand . It's Kitchen Confidential for tennis.' Ed Caesar'Witty and insightful . an homage to the game he clearly still loves' Irish Times'A crushing reminder of the grist from which sporting greatness emerges' The Economist----When Conor Niland was 16, he was chosen to hit with Serena Williams at Nick Bollettieri's famed tennis academy. Conor, the Irish junior number one, was feeling a bit homesick. Serena, also 16, already owned her own house beside the academy.Conor Niland knows what it's like when Roger Federer walks into the dressing room ('Ciao, bonjour, hello!'), and he has had the exquisitely terrible experience of facing Novak Djokovic in the world's biggest tennis stadium - while suffering from food poisoning. But he never reached the very top.The Racket is the story of pro tennis's 99%: the players who roam the globe in hope of climbing the rankings and squeaking into the Grand Slam tournaments. It brings us into a world where a few dozen super-rich players - travelling with coaches and physios - share a stage with lonely touring pros whose earnings barely cover their expenses.Painting a vivid picture of the social dynamics on tour, the economics of the game, and the shadows cast by gambling and doping, The Racket is a witty and revealing underdog's memoir and a unique look inside a fascinating hidden world.----'Well worth a read if you want the inside track on life on the lower rungs of the tennis circuit. Warts and all.' Judy Murray'Riveting . a no-holds-barred insight into what the vast majority of players go through to pursue their dreams. Niland is a funny and engaging writer whom it is impossible not to root for across the highs and lows of his career.' The Observer'Conor Niland may only have managed a career-high ranking of 129 - only? that is some achievement in itself! - but The Racket, his account of how he managed this, is up there with the best half-dozen books on tennis ever written.' Geoff Dyer'Blending a passion for his chosen sport with a realistic study of the traumas of the tour, The Racket offers a brilliant insight from Ireland's greatest ever tennis player.' John Boyne'A brilliant, unvarnished look at a brutal sporting life.' Michael Foley, Sunday Times'One of the best Irish sports books of the last decade' Kieran Shannon, Irish Examiner'This will rightly join the list of The Best Irish Sports Books Ever Written. A superb insight into professional tennis from the ground up' Paul Howard'Devoured it in a day . I've read many tennis autobiographies: this is one of the very best' Charles Arthur'A really wonderful read . Conor Niland has delivered an all-timer for tennis and sports journalism' Ashlee Vance'Unsparing in his depiction of the drudgery of tennis' Mike Jakeman, Spectator'Compelling' Tennis365.com'Brilliant book, I inhaled it' Jonathan Drennan, Sydney Morning Herald'If it's not a contender. Seller Inventory # LU-9780241998076
Buy New
US$ 18.35
Free Shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
The Racket (Paperback)
Published by
Penguin Books Ltd, London, 2025
ISBN 10: 0241998077
ISBN 13: 9780241998076
New
Paperback
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A contemporary of Federer, Nadal and the Williams sisters brings us inside the strange and fascinating world of pro tennisWhen Conor Niland was 16, he got the chance to hit with Serena Williams at Nick Bollettieri's famed tennis academy. Conor, the Irish junior number one, was feeling a bit homesick. Serena, also 16, already owned her own house beside the academy.Conor Niland knows what it's like when Roger Federer walks into the dressing room ('Ciao, bonjour, hello!'), and he has had the exquisitely terrible experience of facing Novak Djokovic in the world's biggest tennis stadium - while suffering from food poisoning. But he never reached the very top.The Racket is the story of pro tennis's 99%: the players who roam the globe in hope of climbing the rankings and squeaking into the Grand Slam tournaments. It brings us into a world where a few dozen super-rich players - travelling with coaches and physios - share a stage with lonely touring pros whose earnings barely cover their expenses. Painting a vivid picture of the social dynamics on tour, the economics of the game, and the shadows cast by gambling and doping, The Racket is a witty and revealing underdog's memoir and a unique look inside a fascinating hidden world. When Conor Niland was 16, he got the chance to hit with Serena Williams at Nick Bollettieri's famed tennis academy. Conor, the Irish junior number one, was feeling a bit homesick. Serena, also 16, already owned her own house beside the academy. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780241998076
Seller Image
The Racket: On Tour with Tennisās Golden Generation ā" and the other 99%
Seller: clickgoodwillbooks, Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media. Seller Inventory # CSIV.0241998077.A
Seller Image
The Racket
Seller: Rarewaves USA, OSWEGO, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. THE NO. 1 BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD'Well worth a read if you want the inside track on life on the lower rungs of the tennis circuit. Warts and all.' Judy Murray'As elegant and powerful as a Federer backhand . It's Kitchen Confidential for tennis.' Ed Caesar'Devoured it in a day . I've read many tennis autobiographies: this is one of the very best' Charles Arthur----When Conor Niland was 16, he was chosen to hit with Serena Williams at Nick Bollettieri's famed tennis academy. Conor, the Irish junior number one, was feeling a bit homesick. Serena, also 16, already owned her own house beside the academy.Conor Niland knows what it's like when Roger Federer walks into the dressing room ('Ciao, bonjour, hello!'), and he has had the exquisitely terrible experience of facing Novak Djokovic in the world's biggest tennis stadium - while suffering from food poisoning. But he never reached the very top.The Racket is the story of pro tennis's 99%: the players who roam the globe in hope of climbing the rankings and squeaking into the Grand Slam tournaments. It brings us into a world where a few dozen super-rich players - travelling with coaches and physios - share a stage with lonely touring pros whose earnings barely cover their expenses.Painting a vivid picture of the social dynamics on tour, the economics of the game, and the shadows cast by gambling and doping, The Racket is a witty and revealing underdog's memoir and a unique look inside a fascinating hidden world.----'Conor Niland may only have managed a career-high ranking of 129 - only? that is some achievement in itself! - but The Racket, his account of how he managed this, is up there with the best half-dozen books on tennis ever written.' Geoff Dyer'Blending a passion for his chosen sport with a realistic study of the traumas of the tour, The Racket offers a brilliant insight from Ireland's greatest ever tennis player.' John Boyne'A brilliant, unvarnished look at a brutal sporting life.' Michael Foley, Sunday Times'One of the best Irish sports books of the last decade' Kieran Shannon, Irish Examiner'This will rightly join the list of The Best Irish Sports Books Ever Written. A superb insight into professional tennis from the ground up' Paul Howard'I ate this book up . reveals the sacrifices, commitment and decidedly unglamorous side of life on the tennis circuit' Sinéad Moriarty'A really wonderful read . Conor Niland has delivered an all-timer for tennis and sports journalism' Ashlee Vance'Genuinely such a brilliant book, a brilliant read' Ciarįn Murphy, Second Captains'Unsparing in his depiction of the drudgery of tennis' Mike Jakeman, Spectator'Compelling' Tennis365.com'Brilliant book, I inhaled it' Jonathan Drennan, Sydney Morning Herald'If it's not a contender for Sports Book of the Year, the world has gone mad.' Fionn Davenport, Off The Ball'Sure to become a must read of the tennis literature canon' Paul Perry'Witty and insightful . an homage to. Seller Inventory # LU-9780241998076
Stock Image
The Racket: On Tour with Tennis?s Golden Generation ? and the other 99%
Seller: Majestic Books, Hounslow, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 396271726
Buy New
US$ 10.27
US$ 8.80 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Seller Image
The Racket: On Tour with Tennisās Golden Generation ā" and the other 99%
Seller: Zoom Books East, Glendale Heights, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: very_good. Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include "From the library of" labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys, dvds, etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. Seller Inventory # ZEV.0241998077.VG
Stock Image
The Racket
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # GB-9780241998076
Buy New
US$ 16.49
US$ 5.63 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 15 available
Stock Image
The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024
Seller: London League Publications Ltd, London, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 2nd Edition. Well written book outlining the author's experiences on the tennis tour, trying to get into the major tournaments, and often traveling long distances to lose in the first round in front of a small crowd. The other side of professional tennis from the super-stars. Book has been read but is in very good condition. Seller Inventory # 000824
Buy Used
US$ 11.09
US$ 16.25 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024
Seller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 272 pages. 8.01x5.01x7.80 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0241998077
Buy New
US$ 14.14
US$ 13.54 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available