09/29/2023
Tennis legend King (Vision) and Starr expand upon their 1988 title We Have Come a Long Way to guide readers through the history of women's tennis. King played an integral role in the fight for pay equity in the sport, and she worked diligently to push through Title IX, which helped legions of U.S. women university athletes secure scholarships akin to their men counterparts. The book, with plenty of photos, begins in the late 1800s, when women played tennis in overly elaborate and uncomfortable Victorian garb and were forbidden to play tournaments. The authors trace how amateur tennis prevented players from earning a living and how King and others formed the women's tour, the WTA, which led to today's well-paid players, such as Iga Swiatek, who has won nearly $20 million in prize money. The hurdles the women athletes surmounted are evidenced by the ongoing success of the WTA tour and its members. King and Starr remind readers that although impressive strides were made, work still remains to be done for women's equality in both sports and society. VERDICT An elegantly presented book, told with much verve, about the rise and obstacles of women tennis players.—Brian Renvall
