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Professional tennis sometimes seems to be the ultimate life. Where else could you travel the world, earn gobs of money, get in great shape, and have groupies from the opposite sex chasing you all the time? And you get all your equipment free to boot (which may explain why players smash racquets without remorse). Quite a glamorous life, isn’t it?
Well, it certainly can be but usually isn’t. The pro tour is a chance to see the world but for most players it’s from the back of a bus. For all the million dollar winners at the grand slam events (Australia, French, Wimbledon, U.S. Open) there are literally hundreds of players struggling through the professional tour dreaming of someday hitting the jackpot.
Even for those that have it ``made’’ success doesn’t necessarily bring happiness. Andre Agasse’s recent book, ``Open,’’ is a testament to that fact.
Despite winning all four grand slams, owning a private jet, and marrying a glamorous movie star (Brooke Shields) he was miserable and hated the sport.
Only his public confession seems to have cleansed him of his demons. He is finally happy now that he is retired, married to fellow ex-pro Steffi Graf, and the father of two.
He actually enjoys the game now that the pressure to win is gone.
Unlike Agassi, John McEnroe at least looked miserable when he was winning and whining his way through all his championships in the 1970s and 80s. But his life was even more of a soap opera.
During his heyday McEnroe married actress Tatum O’Neal, had three children with her, and then went through the divorce from hell.
You can find all the titillating details to their dysfunctional relationship in their competing autobiographies. McEnroe came first with ``You Cannot Be Serious.’’ O’Neal answered with ``A Paper Life.’’
That title is apt only because ``My Turn’’ was already taken by Nancy Reagan.
McEnroe comes out looking better only because he didn’t have O’Neal’s drug habit. Today he’s a popular announcer, happily married to singer Patti Smythe, and has six kids.
Unfortunately he still argues with umpires when he plays tennis on the senior circuit.
Although all three of the aforementioned books are entertaining reads, a recently published title is just as fascinating without the titillation. Patrick McEnroe, John’s younger brother, has written ``Hardcourt Confidential,’’ covering his own 20 years in the professional game.
Compared to John, Patrick’s antics seem pretty dull in comparison.
He never berated umpires or cursed his opponents but he never won any major singles titles either. In fact his most famous match was blowing a two set lead to 39-year-old Jimmy Connors at the 1991 U.S. Open, a match that still haunts him to this day. In other words, he was the typical journeyman.
Fortunately this journeyman has a lot of good stories to tell. Patrick provides an understanding of what it’s like to struggle on the tour, stay in cheap abodes, and rush from one venue to another in search of that elusive paycheck. But he has a lot more to add.
He is currently the U.S. Davis Cup captain as well as a commentator for ESPN. The Davis Cup is tennis’s version of soccer’s World Cup but it’s held every year. Every country longs to win it (although a few top players could care less). Both Patrick and John have had a loyalty to Davis Cup that is second to none.
Patrick explains in detail what is involved in Davis Cup and why it is so important to tennis and the world.
As an ESPN commentator he knows all about the players today and provides insights into their personalities and playing abilities. You certainly learn who are the truly likable personalities, and the ones who are just full of themselves. Patrick also discusses the different international venues and what the different court surfaces are like.
From the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon to the unbearable heat of Melbourne he describes all the conditions that tennis players must deal with.
In one sense this book has something over other tennis biographies. Most of them cover the superstars and their globe-trotting paths toward multiple grand-slam titles.
Patrick McEnroe was never a superstar but he probably knows more about the game than any of them. That quality alone puts this book in a league of its own.
Columns
Book Notes: Books offer tennis insights
- Columns
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
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Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
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In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
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Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
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Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
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In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
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From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
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In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
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In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
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Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
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From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
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In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
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In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
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Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
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In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
