Daily Racquet

Weekend Tennis Read: The Outsider By Jimmy Connors

If you're looking for a good tennis read to enjoy over the holiday weekend, you might want to think about checking out Jimmy Connors new bio, The Outsider.

While much has been said about the more scandalous issues — his storybook romance with tennis legend Chris Evert, to his battles with gambling and fidelity that threatened to derail his career and his long-lasting marriage to Playboy playmate Patti McGuire — there is much more to be gleaned from the book.

For the first time, Connors talks about growing up in St Louis and how he came to rule the game with his radically aggressive style of play and bad-boy antics that turned his matches into prizefights. In 1974 alone, he won 95 out of 99 matches, all of them while wearing the same white shorts he washed in the sink of his hotel bathrooms. Though he lived the rock star life away from tennis, his enduring dedication to his craft earned him eight Grand Slam singles titles and kept him among the top ten best players in the world for sixteen straight years—five at number one.

But in the end, it was his prolonged dedication to his craft that won him the public’s adoration. He capped off one of the most remarkable runs in tennis history at the age of 39 when he reached the semifinals of the 1991 U.S. Open, competing against players half his age.

Much to the chagrin of tennis fans everywhere, when Connors retired from tennis twenty years ago, he all but disappeared from public view.

Well, Jimmy's back, he's explaining and like all the rest of us, he has his demons…

Available online at Amazon.com.

Pick Your Tee: Rafa or Roger?

With these Rafa and Roger Spring Nike tees, fans can cheer for their man. Both tees are Dri-Fit cotton with   a ribbed crew neck and a screen print graphic on the chest. Roger's shirt features a printed distressed RF monogram at back of neck while Rafa's features a Nike Swoosh on the left sleeve.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

New Holiday Tennis Reads

Several new books have hit the shelves just in time for holiday gifts or reading.

Muscles
Muscles: The Story of Ken Rosewall is written by Richard Norton with a forward by John Barrett, tells the tale of Rosewall’s remarkable career that spanned 25 years and gained him 18 majors in total, nine doubles and one mixed to go along with his singles triumph. Rosewall, who made four Wimbledon finals, lost in the 1974 championship match to Jimmy Connors at the age of 39, some 18 years his junior.

Recounted in part by Rosewall himself and extensively researched by Naughton, the book provides a fascinating snapshot of the worldwide tennis scene in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and is accompanied by photographs from Rosewall’s personal collection.

The book’s title is an ode to the ironic nickname his rivals gave to the 170cm-tall Sydney native, whose short stature didn’t hold him back from a remarkable career.

First in a Field of Two
First in a Field of Two is Barry Buss's personal memoir about his junior tennis experience and the strains that put upon his relationship with his father and how this influenced his developmental life as a person and athlete.

Famed Psychologist and author Dr. Allen Fox, who wrote the forward to the book says, "This book is a valuable guide for a tennis parent of how not to raise a tennis-playing child...Tennis culture portrays our sport as one big red carpet event riddled with fame, fortune and riches, and that's all true for a lucky select few. But there are a lot more stories like Barry Buss....There is a lot in here for everybody."

A Backhanded Gift
A Backhanded Gift is a new novel by Marshall Jon Fisher author of "A Terrible Splendor." Fisher explores the life of Robert Cherney, a young American in post–Cold War Munich in the late 1980s,  just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Cherney, a 30-year-old aspiring writer, has left New York City for a job teaching tennis in Munich. Aside from private lessons, he coaches the Maccabi Club men's league team, a motley group of neurotics whose eccentricities seem exacerbated by their situation as Jews living in Germany. In addition to trying to figure out his life and not go crazy teaching tennis, Robert is trying to forget Lexa, the focus of years of erotic obsession back in New York. Helping him are Ingrid, a 40-ish Maccabi member and tennis pupil, and Veronique, a 25-year-old Jewish graduate student whom Max tries to set up with Robert. Love, tennis, sex, frustrated artistic ambition, and the dilemma of being a German Jew are all ingredients of this literary delight that is at turns serious and comedic.

If Fisher's previous tennis book, "A Terrible Splendor" is any indication, this is sure to be a good read.

Smash Your Fitness Goals With A Nike+FuelBand

Serena Willams wears a Nike+FuelBand and during a typical match she racks up 3604 fuel points and takes 8346 steps! Just like Serena, with a Nike+FuelBand, you too, can track your progress (or not).

Nike+Fuelband tracks your activity through a sport-tested accelerometer, then  translates every move into NikeFuel. It's also a great watch. Wirelessly  sync  your Nike+ FuelBand to visualize your results. Or plug it directly into your computer's USB port to sync. See your peaks, your progress and your trophies. Smash all of your fitness goals in 2013 with this slick little wristband.

Available online at Amazon.com.

Make It A Tennis Hall of Fame Christmas

If you have a true tennis aficionado on your Christmas list — think about shopping and supporting the Tennis Hall of Fame. You'll find some fantastic items at their online store. Not only will you find some good purchases but you'll be supporting the history of the game in the process.

There are a slew of fantastic gift items to choose from including the 2012 Hall of Fame Holiday ornament, Tennis Christmas ornaments, 2012 Enshrinement merchandise, jewelry, stationary, art and more.

We're a bit partial to the Unisex Hoodie that sports the Tennis Hall of Fame logo on both the front and back hood.

But, no matter what your choice, be sure to check out the Tennis Hall of Fame store before you finish your holiday shopping.

Available online at Tennis Hall of Fame.

Make It A Colorful Christmas With Roger Federer Logo Hats

Just in time to add some color to your Christmas — the popular Nike Roger Federer RF logo hat is available in yellow, green and blue. These special edition hats were made specially for Federer's recent exhibition matches in Colombia. 

The hats feature the monogram of Roger Federer embroidered on the face of the hat with Dri-Fit fabrication to wick away perspiration — there's a mesh insert around the head to control moisture. A velcro strap makes this hat adjust to fit most people.

Score one of these limited edition hats now before they are sold-out!

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Charity of Choice: Andy Roddick Foundation

Did you see Brooklyn Decker wearing this shirt during Andy's last match at the US Open?! It has been trending ever since and supplies are limited!

This vintage style T-Shirt features a super soft tri-blend fabric with a distressed new Andy Roddick Foundation Logo. You can wear the same shirt that Andy’s friends and family sported at the US Open for only $30. The shirt is available in Vintage Gray and Vintage Blue. Available in size S-XXL. The shirts tend to run slim, so if you are not sure, you should order a size larger.

All proceeds benefit the new Roddick Tennis and Learning Center. ARF believes talent is universal but opportunity is not. By focusing on character development and values such as honor, respect, dignity and duty, our goal is to provide all children a support system that gives them hope for a brighter future. To achieve this goal, ARF has raised over $10 million to fund programs that improve the daily lives of thousands of children. These programs include everything from summer and tennis camps to after-school programs and school uniform initiatives.

Get a great tee and help support a good cause. Available online at ARF.

On the 12th Day of Christmas: The AeroPro Drive Racquet Is Finally Here!

12.12.12 is sure to go down as one of those memorable dates that only happen every so often. In the
tennis world, it will be remembered as the day players can finally get their hands on the newest version of the Babolat Aeropro Drive — Rafael Nadal's racquet of choice.

Designed for Nadal’s specific type of play, the latest Aeropro Drive uses the new Cortex Active Technology, which brings players more feel to perfectly control spin with each shot. The aerodynamic shape and modular frame optimizes the penetration of the racquet through the air for more power and spin, with a graphite and tungsten composition allowing for reduced torque on impact and optimized precision. The signature Babolat woofer system allows the frame and strings to interact nearly 25% longer for more feel and accuracy when hitting the ball. The combined layers of both graphite and thin threads of tungsten provide maximum torsional stability and energy restorations in the yoke of the racquet. This translates into enhanced control and additional power. Updated cosmetics will let your opponents know what they're dealing with.

From the 3.5 NTRP level to the professional ranks, the AeroPro Drive GT offers truly exceptional playability. Order yours today and you'll easily see why this racquet has been a best-seller since it was first introduced nearly ten years ago.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Maria Sharapova Sweetens Her Game

Maria Sharapova has sweetened her game with the launch of her new premium candy line, Sugarpova and reveals a fun, fashionable  and sweet side of the four-time Grand Slam champion. Premium yet affordable, the line includes unexpected and fun types and shapes with playful names to match.

The collection consists of 12 varieties of candy and each unique candy flavor is represented by a bold and colorful pair of lips that represent the many fun-loving sides of their namesake creator: chic, flirty, silly, splashy, cheeky, sassy, spooky, smitten, quirky and sporty.

Depending on your mood and your opponent, you might want to keep some of these fun treats  in your bag and add them to your tennis arsenal.  If nothing else, you're sure to get a sugar smile from your opponent and friends.

Available online at Sugarpova.com.

Bryan Brothers Go Bold, Win Gold

"Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Just ask Bob and Mike Bryan's, the men's doubles gold medal winners at the 2012 Olympics.

Sporting the KSwiss Crossover Crew shirts in their final match, the top seeded Americans outlasted Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, 6-4, 7-6 (2).  In addition to the bold stripes, the Crossover Crew features a sublimated print on front, contrast mesh panel on the back, and flat seams along the sleeves for comfort.  The shirt also offers 50+ SPF protection, a much-needed benefit on the tennis courts.

The twins matched the shirts with the KSwiss Men's Training Woven Short. These  super lightweight KSwiss shorts feature an elastic waistband with internal drawcord, mesh-lined side pockets, and white mesh trim on legs.  And, like the Crossover Crew, the shorts provide 30+ UV protection.

Join the Bryan Brothers and go bold next time you team up for some doubles.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.