But Seriously

June 1, 2017

In his second memoir, famed tennis player McEnroe shares his personal and professional experiences since his first book, You Cannot Be Serious. While he rehashes some stories from his playing days--notably his 1980 Wimbledon final versus longtime rival Bjorn Borg--he mostly delves into his life as a tennis commentator, art collector, and gallery owner as well as an actor who frequently plays himself in commercials, TV shows, and films. The athlete explains how his on-court antics in the 1970s and 1980s are still tied to his image, and he labors to differentiate himself from this persona. After relating how his family has dealt with the (at times) heavy mantle of the McEnroe name, the tennis star examines the maxim that athletes die twice, with the first death being retirement. His stories of playing in various senior events are fascinating as they show that these athletes still take their game seriously and mightily try to "rage, rage against the dying of the light." VERDICT With a conversational voice, McEnroe welcomes us into his world. Essential for any tennis fan.--Brian Renvall, Mesalands Community Coll., Tucumcari, NM

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