A Terrible Splendor

“A Terrible Splendor”
by Marshall Jon Fisher

Review by Ken DeHart

This is one of my favorite tennis books of all time for 3 reasons!!!   Here’s why:

1. A great history of tennis and the world in the 1920′s-60′s including World War I and II
2. Amazing “inside” story line about several of the world’s greatest players and their personal stories
3. It makes us aware that tennis in the 20′s & 30′s was huge in American sports.  Tilden made over 1 million dollars during the depression and drew over 30,000 people to watch his matches – try that on for size….

“A Terrible Splendor chronicles the importance Davis Cup played in the world (it was one of the premier events and drew mass attention, participation and sponsors) of tennis.  It follows the lives of Bill Tilden who dominated tennis for over 30 years and the great match – Don Budge vs Baron Gottfried von Cramm in the Wimbledon match in 1937.  You will understand why it was one of the greatest tennis 5 set matches in the history of tennis – well before Nadal and Federer.  One player was playing for his life with Hitler and his Gestapo’s watch his every move, on and off the court.  The other, Don Budge played for the pride of his country.

Marshall does a great job of drawing us into this 1937 Wimbledon match as it is process of being played. Then he sets the storyline that allows us to understand the players, what was happening in the world, the tennis world and why this match had world wide implications.

I have over 2,000 tennis books in my collection and this is one of the top 5 – must read books if you love history, tennis and the story behind the scene.  Pick it up and you can’t put it down.  You will understand how tennis was one of the top 2 sports in the US during this time.  These three incredible players will earn your respect and admiration.

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Andre Aggasi

We have all heard and even seen parts of Andre Agassi’s new book “Open,” the book is a “Best Seller.” Excerpts from his book have been in Sports Illustrated, People Magazine and hundreds of other publications.  He has been interviewed on the Tennis Channel, major network channels and the David Letterman Show as well as on all the talk radio shows,

Everyone has an opinion about what he said in the book, what he should not have said and what he did say in the book. Even my wife, Karen, who is a recreational player couldn’t put the book down once she started reading it. She kept me posted as to the “good parts.” Her comments about the books contents even got my son, Kameron interested in the book.

When we heard that Andre was coming to a near-by community center in Palo Alto, California we purchased the “premium” tickets to sit in the first 4 rows and receive a copy of his book as well as have it signed by Andre after the interview conducted by Barry McKay.

It was a rainy Friday in Northern California and most of my afternoon lessons were canceled so I did not feel bad about being off the court to go with my family to see one of my favorite athletes. The Commonwealth Club of California was the host for the event and it was a sell out.  We were lucky and had front row seats, slightly stage left.

Andre and Barry were on stage in chairs turned slightly facing each other with microphones to allow hands-free conversation.  Barry started off the interview with questions for Andre.  Andre was quite candid with his comments.  The topics ranged from how he got started in tennis, his feeling about tennis, his family, his matches, his use of crystal meth and most of the questions we had heard from the sensationalize reports.  Andre said he knew much of what he said would be taken out of context to make headlines and that was something he just had to deal with.  He explained that his comments were relevant to what he was experiencing at that time in his life.

The book was started 3 years ago when he officially retired from the tour after his match with Becker at the US Open.  The deadlines and pressure of writing the book has consumed his life and he is looking for rest.  The book was a journey to understand who he is and what his life has meant.

Because the book is titled, “Open,” he felt committed to being open about all the things, pleasant and unpleasant, that had happened to him in his life.  A lot of the information is very personal, but that is Andre Agassi.  He has feeling and is very thoughtful as well as truthful.

The radio “talking heads” talk mostly about his drug use and anything they can sensationalize from his relationship with his dad to his relationship with other players and his two marriages.  I admire his admissions.  We all have made mistakes in our life – it is how we respond after the mistake that makes us special. He chose a better path and is not afraid to admit he made some mistakes in finding that path.

I think one of the great things that has happened with Andre’s new book is that everyone including non-players are talking about tennis.  The other day at a local grocery store I overheard a couple of construction workers talking about Andre, tennis and when they use to play in high school.

As for Andre “telling it all,” haven’t we all done some things that were poor life choices?  It is how we respond from those that helps us all to be winners. Our life lessons can sometimes help others learn from our mistakes or realize they are not the only ones to face life’s challenges.  How many of us have the courage to admit our mistakes to the world?

Ken DeHart
USA High Performance Coach
PTR & USPTA Master Pro

Photo Credits: Carine06

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