Every one of the world's half a million tennis courts is at its most basic an identical blank
canvas: a 78-foot by 36-foot rectangle divided by a 3-foot-high net in its centre and marked
with eleven straight lines. But add in the elements of surface space wind acoustics crowds
shadows humidity and even air density and every tennis court is unique-a work of art. And
some are masterpieces. Nick Pachelli curates and profiles 200 of the world's most beautiful
iconic significant alluring and idiosyncratic tennis courts from across the globe each
breathtakingly photographed. He explores the heavyweights including Wimbledon's All England
Lawn Tennis Club which employs a hawk to keep stray birds from soiling the meticulous lawns.
Arthur Ashe the Grandstand and Court 17 in Flushing Queens where hundreds of thousands of
tennis fans gather every summer for the US Open. And there's Court Philippe-Chatrier at
Roland-Garros whose clay seems to take on a different shade-burnt orange burnt red burgundy
umber-every time you see it. We visit far-flung treasures such as Waiheke Tennis Club in New
Zealand where you'll need to take a plane then a ferry then a car or bus and then walk
before arriving there. Indoor marvels including the Tennis Club de Belgique which evokes the
hushed reverent feeling of a theatre with skylights illuminating the court and leaving the
spectators in the shadows. Hidden jewels such as the tiny Tennis Club San Stin in Venice a
secret single outdoor clay court tucked away behind a villa and a 15-foot wall shrouded with
vines. There are urban courts including the Knickerbocker Field Club deep in the heart of
Flatbush Brooklyn. Academies like Rafael Nadal's tennis temple in Mallorca Spain. And the
extreme: a single court completely isolated in the wilds of Scotland a court in northern Spain
revealed when the tide goes out the sand hardens and the metallic plates that serve as lines
re-emerge and a court in Kenya made out of termite mounds. Throughout Pachelli not only
conducts a masterful once-in-a-lifetime tour of the world's best courts but in his writing
does something equally immersive: He captures the real passion-some might say obsession-that
tennis inspires. Because it's on the court no matter how grandiose or mundane whether in an
exotic locale or around the corner where tennis players truly see themselves. Where we come
face-to-face with our temperament our drive our frustration our bliss our longing. "This
book made me fall in love with tennis all over again." - Rennae Stubbs former world No. 1 and
six-time Grand Slam champion "How had I been so blind? I'd seen a tennis court as an
arrangement of lines neat boxes a net. This book reveals so much more: spaces within spaces
quirks and surfaces shadows and light and the communities most of all. What a gift. I won't
look at the game the same way again." - Louisa Thomas staff writer The New Yorker "A pure
pleasure to read and peruse." - Christopher Clarey New York Times bestselling author "From
Kent to Kenya Marrakech to Melbourne. Indoors outdoors. Seaside and underground. Pachelli
captures the magic in this masterful book which celebrates not just tennis but this
topspinning orb we call planet Earth." - Jon Wertheim New York Times bestselling author and
correspondent for 60 Minutes "I've been around tennis all over the world and this book truly
speaks to the beauty and importance of tennis courts whether at tennis academies or remote
public courts. Every tennis player and fan will enjoy this book." - Patrick Mouratoglou
world-renowned tennis coach and founder of Mouratoglou Academy "This book contains hundreds
of beautifully photographed tennis courts. The real joy though is found in the stories that
unfold about each one." - Katrina M. Adams author and former president of the USTA
"Detailing the remote and far-removed to the legendary courts that have hosted the most storied
events in tennis history this gorgeous book lends us a lens to encounter the world." - Caitlin
Thompson founder of Racquet magazine "Can't travel right now? No worries Nick Pachelli has
got you covered. My recommendation: Open the book to a random page and start dreaming away. And
who knows? One day you may find yourself exactly there. A truly dreamy book!" - Andrea Petkovic
former top-10 professional tennis player host and writer "A stunning celebration of tennis
that speaks to the heart of anyone with a passion for a pastime."- Tom Coyne New York Times
bestselling author
