From Library Journal
This informative and entertaining collection of previously published features, essays, and interviews provides followers of the game much to savor. A tennis journalist for 20 years, Fein wishes "to give tennis lovers what they relish" and he delivers. His insights and high regard for the sport are evident as he covers a wide range of topics. Features about former legends and today's headliners are expertly written, and boxes filled with "Fascinating Facts" are scattered throughout. Not every fact actually fascinates, but some surely grab your attention, e.g., that 96 percent of the estimated $20 million that Anna Kournikova earned in 1999 came from endorsements. Fein analyzes the sport's hot issues and controversies, including equal prize money and the rankings debate. Ardent fans keenly aware of the game's amazing all-time records will appreciate Fein's discussion of how tennis generally pales in comparison to the promotional efforts of other sports in these matters. These achievements should be proudly publicized, argues Fein, whose case is bolstered with a full accounting of the game's most cherished records. His lively description of the ten greatest matches in tennis history is a fitting end to a book that would make an excellent addition to sports collections in public libraries. Howard Katz, New York Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


Tennis Week
"Briskly written, authoritative . . .Fein's book is as informative as they come . . .add . . . to your tennis bookshelves."


Book Description
An intimate look at the game and its players  Includes insights about the top players through full-length interviews and bios  Analyzes the greatest matches in tennis history  Written by an award-winning tennis journalist and commentator In this outstanding collection of essays and interviews, Paul Fein takes the reader into the world of the pro tennis tour with inside scoops about the game’s greatest stars, past and present. TENNIS CONFIDENTIAL includes interviews with such all-time greats as Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Arthur Ashe, and Jimmy Connors, along with essays about the careers of other stars like Andre Agassi, the Williams sisters, Jennifer Capriati, and Anna Kournikova. Fein also reviews the careers of pioneering players like Martina Navratilova, Bjorn Borg, and Rod Laver. TENNIS CONFIDENTIAL tackles the issues that confront the sport today, from the media’s fascination with teen-aged players on the women’s tour to the changes in the game caused by new racket designs and tactical innovations. Fein also reviews the ten greatest matches in tennis history. He gives fans at every level a unique perspective on the game and its history.


About the Author
In his career, Paul Fein has done major interviews with nearly all the great players, including four with Pete Sampras, and with many leading tennis coaches, administrators and authorities. He has covered Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the Davis and Fed Cups, and various other pro tournaments, as well as Champions Tour, and international junior events, such as the Orange Bowl. Paul has received 16 writing awards during his career, including Tennis Week's "Journalist of the Year-original submission " award for the his Arthur Ashe interview in 1991 and 1st Prize awards in the 1999, 2000 and 2001 United States Tennis Writers Association writing contests. His diverse tennis background includes being founder/director of the Springfield (Massachusetts) Satellite Tournament, a top-10 singles and top-5 doubles ranked men's open tournament player in New England, a starting varsity tennis player at Cornell University under renowned coach Eddie Moylan, a commentator for Continental Cablevision, president of the Springfield Tennis Club and Springfield Tennis Council, a USPTA teaching pro, NELTA tournament consultant, college tennis referee and NEPTA ranking committee chairperson. Paul lives in Agawam, Massachusetts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Take an intimate look INSIDE pro tennis!

In this outstanding collection of features, essays and interviews, Paul Fein takes the reader into the world of the pro tennis tour with inside scoops about the game's greatest stars, past and present. Tennis Confidential includes up-close and personal interviews with such all-time greats as Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors, along with eye-opening features about the careers of today's headliners like Andre Agassi, the Williams sisters, Jennifer Capriati and Anna Kournikova. Fein also reviews the careers of pioneering legends like Martina Navratilova, Bjorn Borg, and Rod Laver.

Tennis Confidential tackles the sport's burning issues, such as charismatic but controversial teen queens, bad dads, equal prize money, race questions, rule change proposals, and the power crisis. Fein gives you a front row seat when he captures the drama of the ten most important and thrilling matches in tennis history. Well-researched and filled with fascinating anecdotes and juicy quotes, Tennis Confidential gives fans at every level a unique perspective on this exciting sport and its storied history. Fein takes you on a tennis adventure you'll always remember.

About the Author:

Paul Fein has been a tennis writer for twenty years. Tennis Week￯﾿ﾽs Journalist of the Year for 1991, he has won more than a dozen writing awards during his career. Fein￯﾿ﾽs involvement with the sport includes working as a television commentator, a tennis pro, and as a referee. He lives in Agawam, Massachusetts.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal