Davis Cup Debut for Book of Tennis

DAVIS CUP DEBUT FOR THE BOOK OF TENNIS

‘The Book of Tennis’, arguably one of the most complete anthologies of the sport ever published, makes its public debut on 8-10 February, at the GB v Sweden Davis Cup tie.

Recommended by the International Tennis Federation and containing everything you wanted to know about tennis – and more besides – ‘The Book of Tennis’ is a must for all tennis and sports fans, as well as anyone who has a passing interest in the game.

Written in a lively and informative style by Chris Bowers, ‘The Book of Tennis’ charts all the main areas of the game and its development, presenting the information and stories in an entertaining, enjoyable and easily accessible format.

The main chapters – covering the History of Tennis, Today’s Professional Game, Courts and Arenas, Off-court (ballpersons to umpires and agents to psychologists), Equipment, Semi-professional and Leisure Tennis, Working in Tennis and the Tennis Year – are skilfully interwoven with a fascinating mixture of Drop Shots! (interesting snippets), Quiet Please! (great quotations), Memorable Matches (relive some of the greatest matches ever played) and Date Checks (chronicles major events in human history occurring in the same year as special tennis achievement). For example:

(Drop Shot!) Did you know that St Leger Goold, the Wimbledon runner-up of 1879, became a convicted murderer finishing his days on Devil’s Island?

(Date Check) 1881 – The year the US Nationals (now the US Open) was inaugurated was the same year that Billy the Kid and US President James Abram Garfield were shot dead. On a brighter note the first electric lighting system went into operation in New York City.

Superbly illustrated throughout with hundreds of colour photographs and diagrams, ‘The Book of Tennis’ is also an invaluable reference tool, including its own ‘Hall of Fame’ containing brief biographies of over 100 of the greatest names in the game.

If you’re planning to play without an umpire – which let’s face it is most of us – there’s a handy section covering all the official ITF ‘Rules of Tennis’, including those that took effect in January 2002. ‘The Small Print’ is a comprehensive directory containing contact details for the 198 national tennis associations, professional tournaments and tournament directors, player management companies, manufacturers of all tennis related products and more.

Francesco Ricci Bitti, ITF President, said: ‘The Book of Tennis has the great advantage of being both highly enjoyable and informative to read and very useful as a source of reference on the sport of tennis. It is an excellent volume and we are happy to recommend it.’

‘The Book of Tennis’ is edited and published by JWM Publishing, part of the Jeff Wayne Music Group (see company profile attached). The 192-page volume has the added benefit of a wire-o bound spine that combines aesthetic appeal with strength and flexibility. The book costs £15.00 and is available initially at The Book of Tennis stand (No.2) at the Davis Cup and via the website www.bookoftennis.com.

For further information please contact:

Johnny Perkins
Bell Pottinger Public Relations
T: + 44 20 7861 3166,
E: jperkins@bell-pottinger.co.uk