Hi {{first name |there}},
Chris & Martina: The Final Set, Netflix's documentary about the greatest rivalry—and friendship—in women's tennis, comes out today, and promises to be the perfect weekend watch before Monday, when Wimbledon begins, and the next chapter of women's tennis history (featuring Serena Williams’ return to singles!) gets underway.
Evert and Navratilova played each other 80 times between 1973 and 1988; each won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, and for twelve years, one of them held the world No. 1 ranking. In addition to the on-court drama, the documentary follows Navratilova's defection from communist Czechoslovakia at 18, and both women's battles with cancer.
Tennis makes for great storytelling in every format, and this week’s issue includes an essential library of books for tennis players: 7 strategy classics, memoirs, and juicy novels that will improve your game—and your life.
We’ve also pulled together classic looks for a stylish summer getaway: from tennis to sunset cocktails and dinner at the club, we’ve got you covered!
Two welcome additions to every weekend bag: last week’s most popular link, this adorable vintage-inspired tennis dress with patch pockets, plus reader favorite, anti-aging tinted moisturizer with SPF 45, which is heavily discounted on Amazon for Prime Day. It’s genius: the formula adapts to your skin tone for year-round wear.
🎵Finally, this week’s trivia question is a fun one: Which iconic rock star wrote a #1 hit song in honor of his friendship with a tennis legend, and frequently sat courtside cheering her on? Scroll to the link list for the answer…
Welcome to the club, we’re so glad you’re here!
Team Tennisette
P.S.: lob this email to your favorite tennis friend!🎾
via J. Crew
7 Game-Changing Books About Tennis
One of the things serious players love most about tennis is that it rewards thinking as much as it does hitting, which may explain why the sport has inspired some of the most compelling and lyrical writing ever put on the page.
Here are 7 essential reads to improve your game—and your life—from strategy classics to personal stories, and juicy novels…
How To
Winning Ugly: Brad Gilbert’s indispensable guide to maximizing your strengths while exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses draws on lessons learned from his professional career. Fun fact: Gilbert taught Zendaya to play tennis for her role in Challengers.
The Inner Game of Tennis: Famously one of Bill Gates’ favorite books, the Inner Game is ostensibly about achieving peak athletic performance, but author W. Timothy Gallwey’s advice and techniques for quieting your inner critic and achieving relaxed concentration apply to every aspect of life.
Memoir & Essays
Late To The Ball: This entertaining memoir details a former New Yorker and New York Times journalist’s attempt—aged 60—to become a seriously good (amateur) tennis player.
Open: Andre Agassi's excellent memoir about growing up as a tennis prodigy and his difficult and ambivalent feelings about everything from tennis, his marriage to Brooke Shields, and life beyond center court.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace’s collected essays on tennis, a game he played competitively as a junior, including his 2006 homage to the beauty and grace of an all-time-great, “Roger Federer as Religious Experience.”
Fiction
Apples Never Fall: Liane Moriarty’s thriller/family saga featuring the Delaneys, who have just retired as owners of a successful tennis club and coaching program. What happened to Joy Delaney, and did her husband, Stan, or one of her four children have something to do with it? It’s also a limited series, starring Sam Neill and Annette Bening.
Forty Love: A Novel: A rom-com that’s right up the midlife tennis lover’s alley: Jules has lived next door to the local tennis club for years without picking up a racket. Facing the anxiety of an empty nest, she decides to stop playing it safe and joins the local team, leading to passion—both on court and off!
via Tommy Hilfiger
Found: 21 Classic Pieces for a Stylish Summer Getaway!
It’s a perfect long summer weekend. You’re staying at a friend’s beachfront home. On the agenda: a picnic lunch on the beach, a cocktail cruise during golden hour, dinner at the club, long walks, and, of course, some friendly tennis!
Here’s what to pack to make the most of every moment, plus gift ideas for your hosts…
ON COURT
Collared, classic white tennis dress: $118. When the club dress code requires white. Undershorts not included.
Scalloped performance shorts: $98. Wear them for a morning walk or coffee run and keep them on for tennis! 4 colors. Includes undershorts with pockets.
New Balance x Coco Gauff performance sneakers: $109.99. 3 colors. Shoes designed for all court surfaces.
A weekend away calls for a fancy new tennis bag! We love this raffia tote: $199 (personalization available), made from a grasscloth-inspired woven material and lined in linen; and this scalloped canvas tote: $162, with preppy navy or light blue rickrack detail, and which doubles as a regular tote!
Pom-pom socks: $60 for a set of 3. For maximum on-court cuteness!
Essential water bottle: $39.99 for 40 oz size. 30+ colors! A travel essential.
FOR YOUR HOSTS
A tennis-themed coffee table book: $22.72 (on sale!). Or give a bundle of the books in this week’s story!
“Weekends Playing Tennis” scented candle: $48. Another great option from cult-favorite Hotel Lobby: $58.
For the tennis-mad hostess: a CZ tennis bracelet, customized with her name! $68.
OFF COURT
Look cute at bedtime in this embroidered “tennis club” PJ shorts set: $158. Soft cotton poplin button-down top and pocketed shorts.
Striped linen matching set: $88 (tank); $88 (short). Be the best-dressed guest on the cocktail cruise in a jaunty striped shorts and tank set! Tie-back tank in red stripe, blue and white check, or khaki; shorts come in 6 plain colors.
Cotton-linen cardigan: $168. 6 colors. To keep your shoulders warm on chilly evenings.
White jeans plus summer = the perfect combo! $250. High-rise stretch denim in 5 colors updated with retro styling and cool patch pockets, inspired by Farrah Fawcett. Pair with a classic striped cotton sweater: $49.90. 5 colorways.
Printed midi dress: $495. A romantic neckline and flowy midi skirt make an effortless dress for dinner at the club!
Striped, red knit midi dress: $174. Flattering vertical stripes, flowy skirt, in an uncrushable knit. She’s perfect for car rides, boat rides, and can be dressed up for lunch or dinner.
Greek flat sandals: $176.25 (on sale!). Black or natural. Perfect for both a morning coffee run and evening cocktail cruise!
Pack like a pro in this large weekender bag with a nifty shoe compartment: $150.40 (on sale!). 8 colors in canvas and 4 in recycled poly.
Come prepared for a beach picnic with this snazzy lightweight cooler: $89. Many fun stripes and colorways. Water-tight recycled PVC lining, foldable, includes a shoulder strap and leather handles. Holds 12 cans.
Classic Boat and Tote: from $44.95. 12 colors. A preppy-favorite, washable bag that lasts forever.
Shop the Story
Classic white tennis dress
Scented candle
Scalloped shorts
Midi dress
Raffia tennis tote
Striped shorts set
Cotton PJs
Packable cooler
Cotton-linen cardigan
Billie Jean King and Elton John
In Case You Missed It…
Tennisette founder, Amelia Wilson, was on NPR's Morning Edition this week talking about the life-changing experience of returning to tennis in midlife.
A fascinating podcast on the psychology of winning and losing, with guests including former professional soccer player Abby Wambach and cognitive scientist Sian Leah Beilock.
😂A candle that smells like the tears of your opponents would make a fun gift for tennis team members!
🕵️♀️TRIVIA ANSWER: Elton John wrote "Philadelphia Freedom" in 1975 for his friend Billie Jean King, who played for the Philadelphia Freedoms in World Team Tennis. John was given a complimentary spot on the team bench at courtside and often wore the team outfit.
The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex, Wimbledon, 2018
Tournament Calendar
Wimbledon starts on Monday! Here’s the scoop on where the pros are playing…
21 June to 27 June: Vanda Pharmaceuticals, ATP 250, Mallorca, Spain
22 June to 27 June: Lexus Eastbourne Open, ATP 250, Eastbourne, Great Britain
29 June to 12 July: Wimbledon, Grand Slam, Great Britain
13 July to 19 July: Nordea Open, ATP 250, Bastad, Sweden
13 July to 19 July: EFG Swiss Open, ATP 250, Gstaad, Switzerland
