Beloved by a wide range of people, from ancient French monks and English Kings to Justin Timberlake, tennis is one of my favorite pastimes.
I love that it connects me to the best memories of my childhood: the satisfaction of moving with speed and precision, the gritty pleasure of wearing myself out in the pursuit of a singular goal, and the joyful camaraderie of being part of a team.
I also appreciate that tennis requires minimal equipment and checks several boxes on my happiness list: it’s social, endlessly physically challenging, and (most of the time) fun! It’s also a form of mindfulness practice: to play well, I must be alert yet relaxed, acutely focused on the ball and other players while keeping my body loose and nimble.
So, in homage to the game I adore, and inspired by Zendaya’s movie, Challengers, I’ve gathered tennis-themed books, movies, gift ideas, and more below.
Whether you’re a tennis aficionado, know someone who is, or are looking for “tenniscore” summer outfit inspiration, there’s something for you!
Memoir & Essays
Late To The Ball: by New Yorker and New York Times journalist, Gerald Marzorati, this memoir details his attempt - aged 60 - to become a seriously good tennis player. As a reader you vicariously experience, and can draw inspiration from, the difficulties, frustrations, and triumphs of his quest.
Open: Andre Agassi's excellent memoir about growing up as a tennis star and his difficult and ambivalent feelings about everything from his childhood, marriage to Brooke Shields, and life beyond center court.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace’s collected essays on tennis, a game he played competitively as a junior, including his 2006 homage to the beauty and grace of an all-time-great, Roger Federer as Religious Experience.
How To
Winning Ugly: Brad Gilbert’s indispensable guide to making the most of your game while exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses draws on lessons learned from his professional career. I’ve read this book so many times - and listened to Gilbert’s commentary at professional tournaments - I often hear his voice when I’m playing, telling me not to skip his “microwave warm-up” and making sure I pay attention to the all-important “point before the point.” Fun facts: Gilbert is currently Coco Gauff’s trainer and taught Zendaya to play tennis for her role in Challengers.
The Inner Game of Tennis: famously one of Bill Gates’ favorite books, the Inner Game is ostensibly about achieving peak athletic performance, but author W. Timothy Gallwey’s advice and techniques for quieting your inner critic and achieving relaxed concentration apply to every aspect of life.
Fiction
Apples Never Fall: Liane Moriarty’s thriller/family saga featuring the Delaney’s, stalwarts of their community who have just retired as owners of a successful tennis club and coaching program. What happened to Joy Delaney, and did her husband Stan - or one of her four children - have something to do with it?
Battle of the Sexes: my favorite tennis-themed movie is set during the lead-up to the infamous 1973 Bobby Riggs vs. Billie Jean King match. It’s astonishing, maddening - and ultimately inspiring - watching King (played by Emma Stone) and her fellow female tennis players working to further the standing - and pay - of professional women’s tennis; and of course, beating the big-mouthed sexist Riggs (played by Steve Carell) on the court.
King Richard is the incredible true-life story of tennis prodigies Venus and Serena Williams, their father’s extreme determination, and the sacrifices made by their entire family.
Match Point: this dark psychological thriller, starring Scarlett Johanssen and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, follows an ambitious former tennis pro who marries into a wealthy family, then becomes entangled in an affair that quickly becomes dangerous…
Wimbledon: an adorable Kristen Dunst plays a young American tennis pro falling for a washed-up former British champion (Paul Bettany) during his last-gasp attempt to win Wimbledon in this early 2,000’s romcom.
Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker is a riveting documentary that follows the rise and fall of the German superstar who was jailed in 2022 for financial fraud. Becker speaks candidly about everything from his tennis wins, losses, and rivalries, to his questionable financial and relationship decisions.
Break Point is a 2023 documentary showcasing the stars of today’s professional tennis tour. It’s an eye-opening look at what it’s really like to be a pro, from their romantic relationships, punishing physical regimens, peripatetic lifestyles, and the sheer amount of losing they contend with. It made me feel very satisfied with my lot as a casual player…
7 Days in Hell is a delightfully silly mockumentary inspired by the longest tennis match in history between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010. In this version, Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington play the tennis pros in an oddball plot that includes the Queen of England, a female streaker, and Engelbert Humperdinck. There are plenty of cameos by real players and commentators, and the trailer alone cracks me up.
Red Oaks is a comedy-drama TV series set at a fictional New Jersey country club in the 1980s. The costumes and 80s references are amazing, and this show will delight anyone who loves a coming-of-age story…
Apples Never Fall is the TV version of Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, mentioned above. Set in Florida, not Australia, and starring an excellent Annette Bening as the missing matriarch, there’s plenty of intrigue - and tennis drama - as the Delaney family’s secrets are gradually brought to light.
Richie, “the Baumer” Tenenbaum’s mega breakdown is one for the ages.
In 30 Rock, Liz Lemon dates a doctor (played by Jon Hamm) who’s insulated in a “super handsome bubble” which leads to endless special treatment and an inflated sense of his abilities, including on the tennis court…
In this classic SNL skit, Tom Hanks skewers the manners and mores of WASPy tennis players.
Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne play out their animosity toward each other during a feisty doubles game in Bridesmaids, prompting the line, “I’ve seen better tennis playing in a tampon commercial.”
A useful and handsome needlepoint valet tray.
Every player needs a stylish racquet bag.
The perfect coasters for a post-match tipple.
A cute towel for wiping away hard-earned sweat.
A retro unisex tennis top!
Set on roofs, floating in the ocean, with infinity edges and heart-stopping views, these are some of the most beautiful tennis courts in the world, and potential inspiration for tennis lovers’ vacations!!
💌 Thank you so much for reading!
Note: I only recommend products I genuinely like and often have bought for myself. I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy something I recommend.
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This is so fun! This past week I was literally thinking of picking up tennis again this season and even looked at some lessons near me. Maybe this is my sign?
I recommend you watch and possibly add the best tennis movie to the list: The Break. Let me know what you think!