Break Point: The Secret Diary of a Pro Tennis Player

by Vince Spadea, Dan Markowitz

Groomed since the age of eight by his obsessive father Vince Spadea, by most accounts―except Andre Agassi’s, who called Vince “a journeyman” at age 25―has been a success. At the start of the 2005 season, 19th seed Spadea was the only over-30-year-old player besides Agassi to be ranked in the top-20 on the world professional tennis circuit. Now in his 13th professional season, Spadea gives a riveting account of the ultra-competitive and often hilarious world of a pro tennis player. He battles injuries, coaching and agent changes, and a slight from American Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe as he continues his improbable climb back up the rankings. Along the way, he considers taking two months off to appear on The Bachelor, practices with a still combative John McEnroe in a New York City tennis club, and prowls LA parties with his buddy, comedian Jon Lovitz, trying to pick up actresses like Natalie Portman and jump start his fledgling acting career. Agassi, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Martina Navratilova, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati, Tim Henman, and Marat Safin are all analyzed in more colourful and personal terms than the tennis media has ever provided. In these pages, Spadea breaks the taboo of the “whatever you see, hear and do here, stays here” locker room mentality.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Sports

295 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sunset · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boring account of an year in competitive circuit. Focuses more on non tennis matters. Expected more from this book. Most autobiographies include people who have reached the zenith of their profession and their experiences. Would have been an interesting book had it covered the psyche of players who are on the fringes of top 20 but yet who are more in the dangerzone of losing in their rankings and the intensity of preparation and so on.

[Dan Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Please win a match, Vince”

Interesting diary of playing the pro tennis tour of the early 2000’s. Easy addictive enjoyable read for tennis players and tennis fans of that era. Somewhat depressing as reader gets to know and like Vince, rooting for him, yet he continues to loose matches. A reality show of competitive tennis at the top of the heap.

[Mick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boring account of an year in competitive circuit. Focuses more on non tennis matters. Expected more from this book. Most autobiographies include people who have reached the zenith of their profession and their experiences. Would have been an interesting book had it covered the psyche of players who are on the fringes of top 20 but yet who are more in the dangerzone of losing in their rankings and the intensity of preparation and so on.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty interesting read if you're a tennis fan. He gives you a good insider's look into the life of a pro tennis player.

[Sumanth J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Nice humour and great insight to Pro Tennis. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes Tennis.

[Rahber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh