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Greatness
"This is an accomplished, masterful novel that expertly captures the psychology of an athlete who has risen to heights most people will never know..." -- Kirkus Reviews
GREATNESS is a poetic and powerful portrait of a lonely athlete locked in battle with time, memory, and himself. At once intimate and epic, it offers a riveting glimpse into the twilight of a generational talent.
On the eve of his retirement, tennis legend King returns to Flushing Meadows for his final US Open. Surrounded by the roar of adoring crowds and the tight-knit team that has become his surrogate family, he sets his sights on one last, improbable run at glory. Aging, injured, and haunted by the past, King still knows, perhaps better than anyone, what it takes to win.
But off the court, a deeper reckoning awaits. Since the age of four, tennis has been his entire world—his parents’ dream of greatness the only life he’s ever known. Now, with his career nearing its end, King must confront old betrayals, fierce rivals, the weight of grief, and the stirrings of unexpected love. As his final match draws near, so too does the answer to the question he’s never dared to ask:
What is the true cost of greatness?
GREATNESS is a poetic and powerful portrait of a lonely athlete locked in battle with time, memory, and himself. At once intimate and epic, it offers a riveting glimpse into the twilight of a generational talent.
On the eve of his retirement, tennis legend King returns to Flushing Meadows for his final US Open. Surrounded by the roar of adoring crowds and the tight-knit team that has become his surrogate family, he sets his sights on one last, improbable run at glory. Aging, injured, and haunted by the past, King still knows, perhaps better than anyone, what it takes to win.
But off the court, a deeper reckoning awaits. Since the age of four, tennis has been his entire world—his parents’ dream of greatness the only life he’s ever known. Now, with his career nearing its end, King must confront old betrayals, fierce rivals, the weight of grief, and the stirrings of unexpected love. As his final match draws near, so too does the answer to the question he’s never dared to ask:
What is the true cost of greatness?
410 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2025
31 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Keir Lowther
2 books4 followersKeir Lowther is the author of Dirty Bird, winner of the 2013 Margaret and John Savage First Novel Award at the Atlantic Book Awards, shortlisted for a Relit Award, a PEI Book Award for Fiction, and the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize. He is a former nationally ranked junior tennis player and provincial tennis champion. He lives in Prince Edward Island with his wife, daughter, son and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 25, 2025
I love this book. I was a King fan from the first page. This sweet, complicated,, tortured man who could be a killer on the court but vulnerable in his personal life.
You don’t need to be a sports fan to love this book but if you are a sports fan, I think you will really love this book. The dedication, perseverance, endless practices, aching muscles and injuries, knowing time isn’t on your side, missing big life moments, involved parents, and the deep desire to win coupled with the hatred of losing, was felt in my bones.
The characters in the book - his parents, his team, his enemies, the up and comers, his loves, all make you root for him.
I honestly can’t say enough about this book. You need you read it. I promise you will not be disappointed.
You don’t need to be a sports fan to love this book but if you are a sports fan, I think you will really love this book. The dedication, perseverance, endless practices, aching muscles and injuries, knowing time isn’t on your side, missing big life moments, involved parents, and the deep desire to win coupled with the hatred of losing, was felt in my bones.
The characters in the book - his parents, his team, his enemies, the up and comers, his loves, all make you root for him.
I honestly can’t say enough about this book. You need you read it. I promise you will not be disappointed.
December 28, 2025
Excellent book about an aging tennis star in the days leading up to the final match of his career as he evaluates his life.
I happened upon this book by chance and I'm glad I read it! The plot moves at just the right pace, the characters are likable, and it's easy to root for our main character, King. There's a bit of tennis jargon in here, but to me it doesn't detract from the story and in most cases, it's explained. You can tell the author, a former tennis player is passionate about the sport and it's shown in the pages of this book. Highly recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
I happened upon this book by chance and I'm glad I read it! The plot moves at just the right pace, the characters are likable, and it's easy to root for our main character, King. There's a bit of tennis jargon in here, but to me it doesn't detract from the story and in most cases, it's explained. You can tell the author, a former tennis player is passionate about the sport and it's shown in the pages of this book. Highly recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
September 25, 2025
Greatness isn’t built overnight—it’s fought for, brick by brick, on and off the court.
This was a step outside my comfort zone as I don't usually reach for literary fiction as a genre but the fact that was set in the sports world intrigued me.
It is a drama led story that focusses on human ambition, sacrifice and identity. How are you moulded by your past, present and future? How does this play out in top level athletes. What happens during the twilight of their careers?
It's an intriguing insight into that world and how ultimately the greatest losses and challenges in our lives are often our biggest drivers for achieving greatness. The loss is sometimes the biggest win you can have.
A good read that drew me in but not in my typical ways.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lantern Hill Press for the eARC.
This was a step outside my comfort zone as I don't usually reach for literary fiction as a genre but the fact that was set in the sports world intrigued me.
It is a drama led story that focusses on human ambition, sacrifice and identity. How are you moulded by your past, present and future? How does this play out in top level athletes. What happens during the twilight of their careers?
It's an intriguing insight into that world and how ultimately the greatest losses and challenges in our lives are often our biggest drivers for achieving greatness. The loss is sometimes the biggest win you can have.
A good read that drew me in but not in my typical ways.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lantern Hill Press for the eARC.
October 1, 2025
Greatness isn’t just a tennis book. It’s about sacrifice, aging, and chasing a dream at all costs. I couldn’t put it down. I cared deeply about King and his journey. I highly recommend it to anyone, tennis fan or not.
November 22, 2025
Loved this book so much. A glimpse into the mental and physical toll of pursuing greatness from the perspective of one of the greats at the end of his career. Made me want to be in New York for the Open, under the lights.
October 13, 2025
Incredible, best book I’ve ever read highly recommend another great book by Keir Lowther
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews