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The Racket
- On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99%
- Narrated by: Conor Niland
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
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The Racket
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
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.
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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- Anonymous User
- 16-08-24
Absorbing listen
Fascinating insight into the itinerant and lonely
life of a journeyman tennis player. Well written and well read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- BryanS
- 19-06-24
Brilliant story
Best book about Tennis since Agassi's. Great listen. Gives a real behind the scenes account of the Tennis tour
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- Joseph Hennessy
- 27-07-24
Brilliant and honest tennis autobiography
Excellent book from the perspective of a pro that you probably hadn't heard of. Honest and heartfelt. would highly recommend 👌
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- Len Mc Carthy
- 16-06-24
Great story of live on the ATP tour
Excellent book. I would recommend to any sports fan. Interesting to hear of the live of players who struggle, as opposed to the mega stars of the game
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Shaun Daly
- 30-09-24
Great insight into a different world!
An authentic account of what's going on in a tennis player's head on and off court and the hierarchical structure of the professional game.
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- Anonymous User
- 23-06-24
10/10
Best sports book I've ever read. Great insight into the tough reality of a professional tennis player living outside the top 100 - must read
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- Marc Meehan
- 02-07-24
Great read
I really enjoyed this insight into the grind of the tennis tour as a lower ranked player. The author has a great sense of humour also
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- Benny Hawkins
- 11-09-24
Great insight into the cut throat world of tennis
Irelands finest who gave his all ,describes candidly and with great humour how tough/ impossible it is for such a tiny country to succeed among the richest countries on the planet. Hope Conor makes his millions , or at least be comfortable financially . He deserves it ! Great audiobook ! 😼👍
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- MarjieFah
- 09-08-24
Candour
This is an engaging, candid and sometimes depressing story of the struggle that professional tennis players go through. A very brave account of life on the tour.
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- Amazon Customer
- 22-06-24
Amazing story of real life on the tennis tour
Amazing story and talent. Loved the insights into the different pro levels on the tour. Well done, Conor. You did Ireland proud. 👏👏👏
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1 person found this helpful