Review by Booklist Review
Few writers could capture the evolution of Roger Federer's ascent to the top of his sport from his start at age eight with more clarity and vision than New York Times tennis correspondent Clarey. He offers a master class in sportswriting as he presents the case for Greatest of All-Time (GOAT), tracing the growth and influences of the tennis superstar, who rose to ATP number 1 status at age 22 and is still triumphing in his forties. Clarey focuses his argument for GOAT status on the "places, people, and duels" that shaped Federer's career. Players of influence include Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, and current rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Having covered the Grand Slams since the 1990s, Clarey presents a well-researched analysis drawing from more than 20 interviews with Federer over the years, and with key players and influential figures, conversations exploring the question: Are champions born great, made great, or is it a combination of the two? For Swiss ace Federer, it took a village of family, coaches, a sports psychologist, his wife, Mirka, and rivals who pushed each other to excel. A must-read for devoted tennis fans and everyone interested in athletes and the sports world.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Clarey (Davis Cup Yearbook 1999), the tennis correspondent for the New York Times, takes a paltry look at the life of tennis great Roger Federer. The author, who has had tremendous access to his subject--covering him over two decades, and interviewing him more than 20 times--breaks down the player's approach to the game and how he won a record-breaking 20 Grand Slam singles titles. In doing so, he analyzes Federer's style and tactics, such as his use of the forehand "in parts of the court where many others could not have managed it." Despite the level of detail he offers in recounting Federer's legendary Wimbledon matches--including his epic 2003 final against Mark Philippoussis--his handling of the Swiss's life off the court is notably superficial. In one instance, Clarey describes how Federer's wealth enabled him to arrange the best homeschooling for his twin daughters, but he fails to explore how that choice (made for Federer's convenience) impacted his children. Meanwhile, Federer's laudable decision to establish a foundation to help improve early childhood education in Africa is given short shrift in favor of extraneous trivia on other top tennis pros. Those seeking a deep dive into the personality of a sports star may need to keep looking. Agent: Susan Canavan, Waxman Literary Agency. (Aug.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Although many articles have been written about tennis champ Roger Federer (b. 1981), this new biography could easily become the definitive book-length treatment. Sports journalist Clarey (the New York Times tennis correspondent) takes readers inside Federer's world and provides a fascinating, complete portrait of the athlete that clearly demonstrates how and why he has become a tennis superstar. Readers will get a front-row seat, with play-by-play calls, to some of Federer's most historic matches, both exhilarating and agonizing. Clarey also offers a glimpse inside Federer's mind, showing how his relationships (with family, friends, etc.) have cemented his being called, by many, the most complete tennis player in modern history. Clarey has won awards for his reporting and his even-handed coverage of sports, earning him the trust of many modern sports figures; his well-researched work is based on a number of candid interviews with current and former tennis stars who have competed against Federer throughout his extensive career, among other primary sources. VERDICT This comprehensive portrait will thrill tennis fans and will also draw in and capture readers unfamiliar with Federer or professional tennis. An essential addition to sports and biography collections.--Steve Dixon, State Univ. of New York, Delhi
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A deeply reported and researched portrait of one of the greatest tennis players ever. Clarey, a veteran tennis writer for the New York Times and International Herald Tribune, has interviewed Roger Federer many times in the past three decades. One of his subject's most striking qualities is "that he will ask about you first and not in a perfunctory manner: inquiring about your own journey to this particular place, your own perceptions of the tournament, the country, the people." That fundamental empathy and courtesy, Clarey later adds, makes Federer a born politician in the best sense--a fine attribute given that he is now deeply engaged in philanthropic work in South Africa. But Federer will be remembered foremost as a tennis player, and Clarey paints an incisive portrait of the abilities that made him a star: intentionality, focus, and attention. "Federer is widely perceived as a natural," writes the author," and yet he is a meticulous planner who has learned to embrace routine and self-discipline, plotting out his schedule well in advance and in considerable detail." This is all the more remarkable because Federer is essentially his own manager, though he was well trained over the years by coaches who helped him become more analytical. The biographical rundown is by-the-numbers but cliché-free. Of more interest is Clarey's framing of Federer's career in the context of his competition. "When Federer emerged," he writes, "the best players of the previous generation--Agassi and Sampras--were aging or in decline." No such luck for Federer, for hot on his heels came Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, a triumvirate vying for the title of best tennis player of all time. "Federer versus Nadal has been the contemporary rivalry that attracted the most attention inside and outside tennis," writes Clarey, "but Djokovic versus Nadal has been the most contested with Djokovic versus Federer close behind." By his lights, it's the last that's the most meaningful. A fine work of sports journalism, well worthy of its estimable subject. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
