Epic

A top tennis writer tells the story of the greatest Wimbledon, the greatest U.S. Open, and the greatest rivalry in the history of the gameThe epic 1980 Wimbledon final that ended with John McEnroe's defeat by his idol, Bjorn Borg, is considered the greatest tennis match ever. The U.S. Open final later that year, when McEnroe got his revenge, is considered the greatest U.S. Open ever. These two matches marked McEnroe's transformation from tennis player into an American icon, the high point of tennis's gigantic leap into the national consciousness, and the beginning of Borg's rapid and surprising decline. This book takes you back to that amazing summer at the height of the golden age of tennis.

• Includes fascinating details about John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg both on and off the court, from grueling practice sessions to late-night partying
• Packed with stories and anecdotes of top tennis players and coaches, including Vitas Gerulaitis, Mary Carillo, Lennart Bergelin, and others
• Highlights a pivotal moment in the evolution of the game?from quiet to loud, from wood to metal racquets, and from European to American dominance
• Written by veteran tennis writer and analyst Matthew CroninWhether you're a longtime tennis fan or a recent convert, Epic will give you a deeper understanding of the game and of two of the most amazing players ever to have played it.

Autorentext
Matthew Cronin is the main tennis columnist for Fox Sports and a senior writer for Inside Tennis magazine. He contributes regularly to Reuters and USTA.com and appears fre-quently as a tennis analyst on radio and television stations throughout the United States and abroad. He is the main writer for TennisReporters.net, the award-winning, second-largest pro tennis site in the United States, and is a radio analyst at all the Grand Slams: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.

Klappentext
Advance Praise for EPIC"Like the subjects he so deftly profiles, Matt Cronin brings his A-game to bear. Alternately a dual biography, a riveting account, a psychological profile, and a compelling study in contrasts, Cronin's book shows why McEnroe-Borg lives as one of sport's enduring rivalries. Tennis writing at its best."
—Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated, author of Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played"Epic is an appropriate title indeed. 1980 was a resplendent season in the history of the sport, and Matt Cronin brings it all back to us in these entertaining pages. Many of the game's most notable names weigh in with memories and insight that explain and explore a truly remarkable time in tennis."
—Mary Carillo"As much as anyone in tennis, Matt Cronin has his finger on the pulse of the game. In Epic, he uses his vast insider's knowledge to capture the seminal moment of the seminal rivalry in the booming post-amateur era."
—Doug Robson, lead tennis writer, USA Today"Thirty years later, John and Björn still captivate us. Matt Cronin takes us from their beginnings through the magic summer of 1980. Rivals then and great friends now, John and Björn crafted a story for the ages which Matt captures brilliantly."
—Ted Robinson, NBC Sports/Tennis Channel

Inhalt
Acknowledgments.Foreword (Tracy Austin).Introduction: July 5, 1980.Part One: WIMBLEDON.1 Taming a Passionate Spirit.2 A Losing Set Is Not So Much after All.3 "A Little Boy or a Midget in Disguise?"4 Better Call a Cab.5 Th e Sport's First Rock Star.6 "I Can Do Anything with a Tennis Ball".7 France to Stanford.8 A Four-Hour Match.9 "Borg Is Borg".10 The Battle Begins.11 To the Ends of the Earth.12 Both Still Alive.13 In Search of the True Genius.14 The War of 18-16.15 "A Notch above Son of Sam".16 Love and Sets.17 Th e Genius Tested in London.18 True Nature.19 "Something in Me Wilted".20 Living the Moments.Part Two: THE U.S. OPEN.21 Rock of Gibraltar.22 The Cowboy Bucks Up.23 "I Didn't Know What Was Happening".24 The North Star of Vitas.25 Willing and Able.26 Among the Bad Actors.27 Frozen in Time.28 "You Are Not Going to See a Tougher One".29 "Poetry Written on Water".Epilogue: Th e End of a Great Rivalry.Bibliography.Index.