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.
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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.
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The Racket
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
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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
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The Racket (Paperback)
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ISBN 10: 0241998077
ISBN 13: 9780241998076
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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
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The Racket: On Tour with Tennisâs Golden Generation â" and the other 99%
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The Racket
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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
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The Racket: On Tour with Tennis?s Golden Generation ? and the other 99%
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The Racket: On Tour with Tennisâs Golden Generation â" and the other 99%
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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
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The Racket: On Tour with Tennisâs Golden Generation â" and the other 99%
Published by
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ISBN 10: 0241998077
ISBN 13: 9780241998076
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. THE NO. 1 BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD'As elegant and powerful as a Federer backhand . Its Kitchen Confidential for tennis.' Ed CaesarWitty 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 Irelands greatest ever tennis player. John Boyne'A brilliant, unvarnished look at a brutal sporting life.' Michael Foley, Sunday TimesOne 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 VanceUnsparing in his depiction of the drudgery of tennis Mike Jakeman, SpectatorCompelling 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'His funny, sometimes painful, memoir, is a brilliant insider's look at the brutally competitive world of tennis as well as a meditation on moments missed by inches.' Sunday IndependentA visceral, melancholy and often self-lacerating book History is usually written by the winners, but this intelligent, unvarnished, emotionally draining memoir shows why an also-rans perspective can be just as valuable Andrew Lynch, The Business Post'A brutally honest assessment of his career and the effort it took to take him to the margins of the worlds elite.' Tom Lyons, The CurrencyOne of the great sports memoirs. Funny, moving, informative - its got the lot. Tony Parsons'I ate this book up . reveals the sacrifices, commitment and decidedly unglamorous side of life on the tennis circuit' Sinead MoriartyGenuinely such a brilliant book, a brilliant read Ciaran Murphy, Second Captains. 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
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The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024
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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
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The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024
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Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 272 pages. 8.01x5.01x7.80 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0241998077
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