STARRED Book Review: Tennis Players As Works of Art

Reviewed by Peter Hassebroek

Like a museum exhibit in a book—an impressive collection of art and prose celebrating tennis.

It took seven years for David Linebarger to assemble this collection of nearly seventy artworks by over forty artists, all directly connected to the sport of tennis. Each one is augmented by a brief page or two of original writing, with some quotes and excerpts creatively sprinkled in. A true testament to a passion for tennis and the arts from this Professor of Humanities, who also happens to be a nationally ranked player in his age group.

While taking in the art and reading the accompanying prose, you can imagine yourself sauntering around a small museum. Within that museum the individual pieces are arranged in thematic rooms (chapters)—i.e. “Wimbledon Stories” “Backhands” “Bad Boys” “Change”—covering not only tennis events and skills but also personalities, impacts, and more.

The artworks include paintings, sketches, drawings, photographs, and graffiti. Most are of individuals or, in the case of a profound anatomical set by Australian artist Mark Shorter, body parts. The variety of images ensures each piece stands distinct, creating a subtle unpredictability that sustains attention and ensures lasting impressions. While perusing the artist biographies at the end, I remembered instantly the corresponding image(s) and players in almost every case.

This visual eclecticism extends to the accompanying prose pieces that could collectively be labeled literary flash non-fiction. Biography, essay, narrative, stream of consciousness, and other approaches are applied, inspired by and reflecting the artwork and subject. The tones and points-of-view likewise cover a broad spectrum. Consider the suave fluidity adopted for Roger Federer (Artwork: Federer at Wimbledon by Hazel Sloan): 

” . . . the footwork almost invisible, light tiny dancer quick floating sudden whip of the forehand into one of the opponent’s corners to dramatically change the point.”

Contrast that with the tenacious, calculated play-by-play style for Simona Halep (Artwork: Simona Halep’s Backhand by Cat Lee (Colacat)):

“Sloane’s next ball lands two feet deeper, so Simona steps in aggressively and smacks another backhand crosscourt—subtly recalibrated—seven-to-eight mph slower and two feet further away from the sideline.”

While the descriptions of tennis action are engrossing and thankfully cliché free, they comprise only part of the collection. There are plenty of pieces revealing other aspects of tennis plus ones that transcend the sport. Universal social justice topics are well covered—one chapter is entitled “National (S)heroes”—including those you would expect, exemplified by players such as Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King.

There are other serious issues on a personal level discussed, like when lives and careers are impacted or controlled by external forces. Such as the poignant example of Jelena Dokic (Art: Jelena by Mark Shorter), pithily captured in the first line: “In junior tournaments, Jelena is ruthless, unemotional. She even cheats on line calls to avoid her father’s beatings.” The inclusion of this piece is timely in that Jelena just released a documentary about her upbringing. Thankfully, the abuse from her father that produced a joyless professional career is long behind her.

This book packs in a lot. Facts and biographical information mix comfortably with emotions spanning joy, anger, sadness, frustration, and even pathos. The common thread is a reverence for a sport anyone can play that comes across as genuine, not sentimental. These all combine to bring an overall sense of comprehensiveness in a compact package.

Tennis Players as Works of Art is as rewarding as an absorbing museum exhibit, without having to leave your sofa or armchair. And not just for tennis aficionados.

Thank you for reading Peter Hassebroek’s book review of Tennis Players As Works of Art by David Linebarger! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post STARRED Book Review: Tennis Players As Works of Art appeared first on Independent Book Review.