Dropshots (Paperback)

This collection of strange, hilarious and informative anecdotes "of Tennis, Teaching and Tots" was compiled by a writer with both teaching and tennis careers spanning decades. A keen observer of the odd and ridiculous experienced in the everyday, Maud Thorne was encouraged by friends and family to "write a book about it" – which is exactly what she has done! The result is this original and fascinating volume, bound to put a smile on the reader's face. Besides being a treasure trove of tennis history – especially of the Border area of South Africa's Eastern Cape province – this light-hearted book will appeal to all generations of tennis-players, teachers and pupils, as well as to anyone with a sense of humour. Experience of working for a local newspaper led Maud to accumulate gremlins from many sources. Combined with priceless classroom clangers from a long teaching career, "Dropshots" is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud! Illustrations include tennis memorabilia, photographs, and original drawings by Maud's grandchildren, 7-year-old twins, Joel & Hannah Thorne.

Maud Thorne's love of tennis began at the age of 10 and to date has spanned 65 years. She represented her province for 15 years before joining the Senior and Super-Senior ranks. She has been involved in tennis administration in various capacities, in 1994 becoming only the second woman in South Africa to hold the office of President of a Provincial Association. She has also served as the President of Border Junior Tennis and Border Veterans' Association. For 33 years, she wrote a weekly Tennis Column for the East London "Daily Dispatch" and still covers much of that newspaper's tennis events. In 2001 she was given Press accreditation for an unforgettable fortnight at Wimbledon. In 2004 Maud represented South Africa in the 65+ age group at the World Championships in Philadelphia, USA, where her team won Bronze. Ten years later she was selected for the 75+ team to play in the Super-Seniors World Championships in Turkey. In recognition of her service to tennis, she was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the International Club of South Africa in 2012. As impressive as her tennis career is her teaching career, which began in East London, South Africa as a Primary School teacher in 1960 and ended in 2001 as a High School Maths and Afrikaans teacher. Maud continues her lifelong dedication to tennis and teaching. "Dropshots" is her first book.