Overview
A revelatory exposé of modern tennis—the world's most competitive, physically and mentally grueling sport—THE CRUELEST GAME reveals the inside stories of the current legends and tomorrow's young stars, with never-before-reported stories of their struggles and accomplishments on and off the court, by revered New York Times and The Athletic tennis writer, Matthew Futterman.
Nadal and Djokovic...Serena and Sabalenka...Sinner and Alcaraz...The inside story of modern tennis burns bright with fame, fortune and glamour—and high-stakes the likes of which the game has never seen before. Players must excel beyond the court under excruciating pressure, with the public spotlight blazing on those who win, and shunning those who lose. But what toll does it take? And what does it take to win year-in, year-out? If you're outside the top 40, you’re much closer to 80 than to number 1. THE CRUELEST GAME offers an intimate, insider account of the costs of getting to the top, and the price of the fame and glory that comes with it. Futterman delves into the lives and struggles of modern tennis' most critical players at a critical time for the sport, when fans are searching for a new set of heroes to take over for the legends whose careers are fading to black.
With the likes of Rafa, Roger, Novak, and Serena walking off the court and into retirement, a new crop of aspiring tennis hopefuls faces a shifting landscape. This book builds on award-winning journalist Matthew Futterman's unique access to the very top echelons of professional tennis (he has worked as the top New York Times and The Athletic tennis writer for years), and takes readers inside established and new players' quest for the secret codes that allows them to survive and thrive at the top of a brutal game.
Nadal and Djokovic...Serena and Sabalenka...Sinner and Alcaraz...The inside story of modern tennis burns bright with fame, fortune and glamour—and high-stakes the likes of which the game has never seen before. Players must excel beyond the court under excruciating pressure, with the public spotlight blazing on those who win, and shunning those who lose. But what toll does it take? And what does it take to win year-in, year-out? If you're outside the top 40, you’re much closer to 80 than to number 1. THE CRUELEST GAME offers an intimate, insider account of the costs of getting to the top, and the price of the fame and glory that comes with it. Futterman delves into the lives and struggles of modern tennis' most critical players at a critical time for the sport, when fans are searching for a new set of heroes to take over for the legends whose careers are fading to black.
With the likes of Rafa, Roger, Novak, and Serena walking off the court and into retirement, a new crop of aspiring tennis hopefuls faces a shifting landscape. This book builds on award-winning journalist Matthew Futterman's unique access to the very top echelons of professional tennis (he has worked as the top New York Times and The Athletic tennis writer for years), and takes readers inside established and new players' quest for the secret codes that allows them to survive and thrive at the top of a brutal game.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry The Cruelest Game (The Agony and Ecstasy of Professional Tennis), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of The Cruelest Game (The Agony and Ecstasy of Professional Tennis).