Literary Corner…Second Serve By Roscoe Tanner
Second Serve, the second book about former American tennis star Roscoe Tanner, is a candid, introspective look at his life on and off the court. A very compelling new book release that should resonate with both tennis enthusiasts and general readers alike.
In this powerful memoir, Tanner revisits the highlights of his professional career, including his unforgettable Wimbledon final against Björn Borg, as well as the personal challenges he faced, after his professional playing days were over. Each chapter of the book is marked with honesty, reflection, and a unique perspective on the world of professional sports. It was refreshing to see some great names of his era come alive. From Jimmy Connors, whom he has known since childhood, to Arthur Ashe, his doubles partner for five years, John McEnroe, who also played for his alma mater, Stanford University, and his friendship with the late Vitas Gerulaitis.
While one would expect Tanner to dwell on his legendary 153 mph serve record, that stood for almost 30 years, and which in some circles, is still considered unbroken, Tanner, instead takes the reader into the depth of his life, weaving through the threads of family life, the start of a tennis program at Stanford University, his interactions with his parents, incarcerations, and different time periods of his life.
What is fascinating about the book is that Tanner tells a story that keeps flowing right from the first sentence in the first chapter. The reader sees how his relationships with his ex-wives are built up and how they also gradually disintegrate. His lack of acknowledgment of a “love child,” which did not come for many decades, and his ultimate attempt to make things right by his children.
Tanner’s story reminds me of the caption in a 2020 article that caught my attention, as I was trying to get some information online. “Converse, the rise and fall and rise again” was a captivating article about a major brand that is now part of NIKE. Roscoe Tanner’s book, “Second Serve,” reminds me of that caption and the brand’s story, because it captures similar scenarios from greatness to failures and a rebound.
This book is a must-read for tennis fans and others who enjoy non-fiction but with the pace of an interesting story filled with twists and turns about life itself, and a remarkable comeback that started from the most unexpected place in the Grand Canyon state.
