Review of 'Play better tennis' by Billie Jean King
Although this is another 'how to play tennis book' it is written by someone with enormous experience. It also has a lot to say about doubles play. It is directed too towards the competent player, not the beginner. It covers the basic strokes, a little about Billie Jean King and the psychological aspect of the game. Tennis was more than just a sport to Billie Jean King, it was a way of life. She was also the most influential female at the time in terms of proving that tennis was just as much a skilled game for women as it was for men.
Billie Jean King certainly conveys her love for the game in this book, calling herself a tennis junkie. She is honest and follows the advice of Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon. He recommends what is called psycho-cybernetics. It is about living in the moment and having positive thoughts. Billie Jean talks of how tennis can help people mature and how tennis, being one of the only one on one sports where you can be in such a spotlight, the best and worst can come out of you on court. She gives advise as to how to deal with that.
Billie Jean King talks of herself and other players, and many players are quoted in their praise of her. Chris Evert said," I admire Billie Jean for the battles she fought for women's tennis. She helped to pave the way for me and other women tennis players. I also admire her personally for her guts and determination on the tennis court. She has an incomparable passion for the game".
I admired Billie Jean for her contributions to the women's movement in general. I wasn't such a tennis tragic as I am now when she was playing, so I didn't see her play. But everyone knew about her match with Bobby Riggs. She felt she had to take up his challenge or the cause of women's tennis would be set back 50 years.
This "Battle of the Sexes" captured the imagination of the world, not just tennis enthusiasts. It was played on Sept. 20, 1973 in Houston. Billie Jean King, then 29, ran Bobby Riggs ragged, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in a match the London Sunday Times called "the drop shot and volley heard around the world."
She also writes about practice, fitness, exercise, health and diet. She often had to watch her weight. She writes also about the problems and solutions involved with wearing glasses.
This is a great book with many great tips for the tennis player.
Billie Jean King won six Wimbledon singles championships and four U.S. Open titles. She was ranked No. 1 in the world five years. She defeated such magnificent players as Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Margaret Court.
Other books by or about Billie Jean King
A Necessary Spectacle : Billie Jean King, Bobby Riggs, and the Tennis Match That Leveled the Game
Superwomen : 100 Women-100 Sports
Billie Jean King : Tennis Trailblazer (Lerner Biographies)
King!
The autobiography of Billie Jean King
