As tennis fans, we can’t get enough of the stories, lessons, and personalities that make this sport so special. From the players who inspire us to pick up a racket, to the coaches who share a lifetime of wisdom, the best tennis books capture the heart and mind of the game.
The right read can shift how you see the sport – and how you play it. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate list of must-read tennis books, from iconic autobiographies and powerful psychology guides to smart strategy reads that’ll actually help you win more matches.
Tennis Autobiographies
Tennis Autobiography
Open
By Andre Agassi
Agassi’s Open is widely regarded as one of the best sports autobiographies ever written – not just in tennis. Brutally honest and deeply human, it reveals his lifelong love-hate relationship with the sport, his struggles with fame, and the personal demons behind his success. It captures the loneliness of tour life, the thrill of victory, and the pain of constant reinvention. Whether you’re a tennis fan or not, it’s an unforgettable story about resilience and identity.
Tennis Autobiography
Seventy Seven
By Andy Murray
Established on the tour as a top 10 player for some time, Andy Murray shares with us his road to Wimbledon glory. From Grand Slam final heartbreak to finally becoming the first British man to lift the Wimbledon trophy since Fred Perry in 1936, he shows us the mental and physical battle he went through to break into the Top 4. Little did he know at the time that he’d go on to become number 1 in the world just a few years later. This book is a must read for any fan of British Tennis.
Tennis Autobiography
RAFA
By Rafael Nadal & John Carlin
From childhood to becoming a staggering 16 time Grand Slam champion, Rafa Nadal talks us through his life in tennis, both on and off the court. Learn all about the highs and the lows of his career, from winning his first Wimbledon title in 2008 against Roger Federer to the injury setbacks he’s had throughout his career. This is without a doubt one of the best tennis books out there and is a must read for any Nadal fan.
Life of a Pro Tennis Player
Chasing Points
By Gregory Howe
For many of us, playing tennis at the pro level is a distant dream. Gregory Howe decided to jump into a pro tennis career at the age of 34, starting at the lowest levels of professional tennis competition. In his book, Chasing Points, Gregory share his experiences of the ITF tour and exposes what a career in tennis is really like for those players that don’t quite make it into the top 300 in the world rankings. Every tennis fan should consider this book essential reading, and soon to be tennis players will find it extremely useful.
Tennis Autobiography
Unstoppable
By Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova shares with us the story of her rise to success, from leaving behind her home in Russia an making her way to the Bollettieri academy in Florida to becoming a 5 time Grand Slam champion. She tells stories of her struggles and triumphs, her obsession with Serena Williams and her determination get back to the top of the pro game.
Tennis Autobiography
Knowing The Score
By Judy Murray
Judy Murray tells the inside story of Jamie & Andy Murray’s rise from their local community courts in Dunblane to Grand Slam glory on Wimbledon Centre Court. She shares honest accounts of the challenges she has faced, from desperate finances to dealing with the belittling attitudes towards women in sport. Her journey through a life in tennis is both an inspiration and a guide to tennis parents and coaches alike.
Life of a Pro Tennis Player
The Racket
by Conor Niland
Former Irish pro Conor Niland offers a raw, witty, and eye-opening look at life on tennis’s unforgiving lower circuits. The Racket strips away the glamour and shows the grind – long flights, lonely hotels, and constant battles for ranking points and prize money. With honesty and humour, Niland reflects on his near-miss moments at the Grand Slams, the mental toll of chasing a dream, and the strange beauty of the sport’s hidden side. It’s a must-read for anyone curious about what life is really like beyond the bright lights of Centre Court.
Tennis Psychology Books
Tennis Psychology / Performance
Champion Mindset
By Patrick Mouratoglou
Patrick Mouratoglou – Serena Williams’ longtime coach and one of tennis’s most respected thinkers – reveals what it really takes to become a champion. The Champion Mindset isn’t just about drills and technique; it’s about how to think, react, and evolve like the best. Mouratoglou dives deep into confidence, focus, and the emotional side of competing, blending personal stories from working with Serena, Tsitsipas, and other top pros. His insights apply to players at every level, showing how mindset, not just talent, separates winners from the rest.
Tennis Psychology / Performance
The Inner Game of Tennis
By W. Timothy Gallwey
We all know that tennis is as much a battle on court as it is a battle within. In this book, Timothy Gallwey talks about the inner game of tennis and how to overcome self-doubt, nerves and lapses in concentration while on court. It is a must read for amateur and pro players alike, and can be very useful to aspiring tennis players looking to start a career in the sport.
Tennis Psychology / Performance
Winning Ugly
By Brad Gilbert
Having coached top players like Andre Agassi, Any Roddick, Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori, Brad Gilbert knows more about the game of tennis than most. In this book, Brad talks about impact that psychology has on tennis and how to use it to your advantage, forcing your opponents to play your game. A tennis bible to any competitive tennis player looking for success on the court.
Tennis Psychology / Performance
String Theory
By David Foster Wallace
Described as one of the best tennis writers of all time, David Foster Wallace shares beautiful a collection of tennis essays full of detailed insights into the game of tennis. It includes his masterful profile of Roger Federer and is a delightful read for any tennis lover.
Tennis biography
Fedegraphica
By Mark Hodgkinson
In Fedegraphica, Mark Hodgkinson tells us everything we could possibly want to know about the great Roger Federer from the titles, records and other successes that put him firmly in the tennis history books, to an in-depth analysis of his game including serving patterns and so much more. This is essential reading for any Roger Federer fan.
Tennis Strategy & Technique Books
Tennis Coaching / Performance
Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Handbook
By Nick Bollettieri
Nick Bollettieri has coached and guided some of the biggest names in tennis to success, including Andre Agassi, Venus & Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Boris Becker and so many more. In this book he shares his techniques to learning and teaching tennis. It’s a book every tennis coach should have on their bookshelf.
Tennis Lifestyle & Inspiration Books
Tennis Lifestyle
The Tennis Court
By Nick Pachelli
The Tennis Court is a beautifully crafted showcase of 200 of the world’s most remarkable tennis courts – from legendary venues like Wimbledon and Roland-Garros to hidden gems in New Zealand, Venice, Kenya, and beyond. With stunning photography and vivid storytelling, Nick Pachelli captures what makes each court unique: its setting, its character, and the passion it inspires in the players who step onto it. Part travel book, part art collection, and part love letter to the sport, this is a celebration of tennis’s global soul and the places where the game truly comes alive.
The beauty of tennis is that it’s never just about hitting the ball – it’s about everything that happens between the points and inside your head. The best tennis books remind us that greatness comes in many forms: the courage to compete, the calm to focus, and the creativity to adapt.
Whether you’re chasing more wins on court or simply falling deeper in love with the game, these reads will inspire you to play braver and smarter tennis, and see the sport in a whole new way.
