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The Racket: On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99%
When Conor Niland was 16, he got the chance to hit with Serena Williams at Nick Bollettieri’s famed tennis academy. Conor, the Irish junior number one, was feeling a bit homesick. Serena, also 16, already owned her own house beside the academy.
Conor Niland knows what it’s like when Roger Federer walks into the dressing room (‘Ciao, bonjour, hello!’), and he has had the exquisitely terrible experience of facing Novak Djokovic in the world’s biggest tennis stadium – while suffering from food poisoning. But he never reached the very top.
The Racket is the story of pro tennis’s 99%: the players who roam the globe in hope of climbing the rankings and squeaking into the Grand Slam tournaments. It brings us into a world where a few dozen super-rich players – travelling with coaches and physios – share a stage with lonely touring pros whose earnings barely cover their expenses. Painting a vivid picture of the social dynamics on tour, the economics of the game, and the shadows cast by gambling and doping, The Racket is a witty and revealing underdog’s memoir and a unique look inside a fascinating hidden world.
Conor Niland knows what it’s like when Roger Federer walks into the dressing room (‘Ciao, bonjour, hello!’), and he has had the exquisitely terrible experience of facing Novak Djokovic in the world’s biggest tennis stadium – while suffering from food poisoning. But he never reached the very top.
The Racket is the story of pro tennis’s 99%: the players who roam the globe in hope of climbing the rankings and squeaking into the Grand Slam tournaments. It brings us into a world where a few dozen super-rich players – travelling with coaches and physios – share a stage with lonely touring pros whose earnings barely cover their expenses. Painting a vivid picture of the social dynamics on tour, the economics of the game, and the shadows cast by gambling and doping, The Racket is a witty and revealing underdog’s memoir and a unique look inside a fascinating hidden world.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published June 6, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
September 4, 2025
The subtitle of this book tells you what it’s all about – “On Tour with Tennis’ Golden Generation – and the other 99%”. It was amongst the latter group that author Conor Niland was counted. He reached a career high of 129 in the world singles ranking. The book illustrates just how much it takes in dedication and talent to become the 129th best tennis player in the world, but also how, at that level, you get very little in the way of fame and fortune. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by the author, who makes a good job of it.
Niland analyses his career and where, in retrospect, he might have made wrong decisions in his career path. Other factors such as nationality also come into play. Niland, who is Irish, highlights the advantages in coming from a large country with a wealthy tennis federation, who can back their young players by providing them with coaches, physios, financial support to cover travel expenses, etc. Ireland wasn’t one of these. Niland spent most of his time and money travelling alone around the world, to play in events that were unknown to all but the most ardent tennis fans. He also entered the qualifiers for larger events, though I hadn’t realised that lower ranked players often have to enter and turn up to qualifying tournaments without knowing whether they will be given a slot.
The book is good in the way it highlights the enormous gulf between the stars of the sport – the players in the top ten - and those outside the top 100.
I don’t follow tennis that closely, but I don’t think you have to enjoy this insight into the “other 99%”. Entertaining and illuminating.
Niland analyses his career and where, in retrospect, he might have made wrong decisions in his career path. Other factors such as nationality also come into play. Niland, who is Irish, highlights the advantages in coming from a large country with a wealthy tennis federation, who can back their young players by providing them with coaches, physios, financial support to cover travel expenses, etc. Ireland wasn’t one of these. Niland spent most of his time and money travelling alone around the world, to play in events that were unknown to all but the most ardent tennis fans. He also entered the qualifiers for larger events, though I hadn’t realised that lower ranked players often have to enter and turn up to qualifying tournaments without knowing whether they will be given a slot.
The book is good in the way it highlights the enormous gulf between the stars of the sport – the players in the top ten - and those outside the top 100.
I don’t follow tennis that closely, but I don’t think you have to enjoy this insight into the “other 99%”. Entertaining and illuminating.
June 9, 2024
The headline: I loved this. The full story is more complicated.
I love a sports memoir by someone who only sort of made it to the big time. Niland comfortably falls into that category, spending his career plugging away around the world number 200 mark or so, appearing once at Wimbledon and the US Open, mostly playing on the Challenger tour. The Racket is a fascinating and highly entertaining insight into that life and Niland writes very well.
But this is also a story of privilege and a largely damning indictment of a sport filled with complete arseholes. It is jarring to read the account of someone who went to the UK's most expensive school, had a scholarship to an elite US college, and travelled the world doing what he loves subsidised by his wealthy parents, then proceed to complain about how everyone else he encounters is so much more privileged. Everyone has better training facilities, more time, more money, richer and better connected families. Niland, at least while he is a professional, has a complete blind spot to the rest of the world.
And maybe that's exactly what you need to make it in tennis. Unbridled narcissism and family money. Because travelling around for 10 years making nothing while playing a sport you enjoy is the ultimate in indulgent privilege.
Whilst this paints a fairly grim picture of a sport which so carefully manages its appearance and reputation, it is a truly honest and genuinely insightful sports book. And we have very few of those.
I love a sports memoir by someone who only sort of made it to the big time. Niland comfortably falls into that category, spending his career plugging away around the world number 200 mark or so, appearing once at Wimbledon and the US Open, mostly playing on the Challenger tour. The Racket is a fascinating and highly entertaining insight into that life and Niland writes very well.
But this is also a story of privilege and a largely damning indictment of a sport filled with complete arseholes. It is jarring to read the account of someone who went to the UK's most expensive school, had a scholarship to an elite US college, and travelled the world doing what he loves subsidised by his wealthy parents, then proceed to complain about how everyone else he encounters is so much more privileged. Everyone has better training facilities, more time, more money, richer and better connected families. Niland, at least while he is a professional, has a complete blind spot to the rest of the world.
And maybe that's exactly what you need to make it in tennis. Unbridled narcissism and family money. Because travelling around for 10 years making nothing while playing a sport you enjoy is the ultimate in indulgent privilege.
Whilst this paints a fairly grim picture of a sport which so carefully manages its appearance and reputation, it is a truly honest and genuinely insightful sports book. And we have very few of those.
August 3, 2025
Life in the world of pro tennis, just outside the top 100 players. A brilliant insight into life on the tour for those not blessed to be Federer or Nadal. An eye opener to the dedication and distress experienced as Niland tries to work his way up the rankings, in the hope of his one shot at glory. Funny and heartwarming while also being gruelling and depressing, even though you might know how his career ends, you can't help but will him to do well and for his luck to turn. Anecdotally, it's wonderful to find Andy Murray comes across as one of the few elite players who is genuinely kind and concerned for the tour pros below him in the rankings. A brilliant read.
June 14, 2024
Really great book. Unlike Agassi’s “Open” (the gold standard for tennis books) I think it helps to have an interest in the sport reading it. Gives a fascinating insight of life and sacrifice beyond the ATP. And if you thought you loved Andy Murray before, this will only reinforce and amplify the love. Alternatively, if the ineptitude of Irish sports administrators frustrated you before, it will only get worse from here.
June 19, 2024
This is a fantastic book. Honest about the grim reality of life on tennis tour for those outside the very top. Superbly well written. Must read for any tennis fan or anyone really.
September 4, 2024
Some sports memoirs can water down reality a little or skim over some truths. Not so with The Racket by Conor Niland. As a reader, you feel you're getting the unvarnished truth about life on the world's elite tennis circuit.
Niland is Ireland's most successful tennis player. Born in Birmingham to Irish parents and raised in Limerick, he rose the ranks of tennis, eventually representing Ireland in the Davis Cup and playing at Wimbledon and the US Open during his career. Despite this, he's probably not a household name in Ireland.
Most of Niland's career was less glamorous than playing at Wimbledon, and he spent much of it on the Futures and Challenger circuit, grinding out results and hoping to break into the top 100 tennis players in the world. It's a lonely life, often surrounded by other guarded tennis players, some of whom come with an entourage of doctors, physios and assistants (Nadal, Federer, Djokovic) and others in the same boat, sizing each other up and never really extending the hand of friendship (honourable mention here for Andy Murray who Niland speaks highly of and who is an all-round legend).
Niland's account of his life and tennis career is very compelling. An interest in tennis helps (there's a blow by blow of some of his crucial matches which I loved) but not essential. It taught me that there are a hell of a lot of egos in tennis, and you can be a big fish in a small pond (Ireland) but it's much harder to make the big leagues internationally without a serious financial injection from a very young age.
If you enjoyed Agassi's book Open (I loved it), you'll enjoy this one too I think. Niland doesn't shy away from introspection and self-criticism, which makes it all the more interesting. I felt relieved for him when he retired - the pressure valve finally released.
One for the sports fans and tennis lovers in your life. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify Premium. Conor narrates the book himself and does an excellent job. 4.5/5 stars
Niland is Ireland's most successful tennis player. Born in Birmingham to Irish parents and raised in Limerick, he rose the ranks of tennis, eventually representing Ireland in the Davis Cup and playing at Wimbledon and the US Open during his career. Despite this, he's probably not a household name in Ireland.
Most of Niland's career was less glamorous than playing at Wimbledon, and he spent much of it on the Futures and Challenger circuit, grinding out results and hoping to break into the top 100 tennis players in the world. It's a lonely life, often surrounded by other guarded tennis players, some of whom come with an entourage of doctors, physios and assistants (Nadal, Federer, Djokovic) and others in the same boat, sizing each other up and never really extending the hand of friendship (honourable mention here for Andy Murray who Niland speaks highly of and who is an all-round legend).
Niland's account of his life and tennis career is very compelling. An interest in tennis helps (there's a blow by blow of some of his crucial matches which I loved) but not essential. It taught me that there are a hell of a lot of egos in tennis, and you can be a big fish in a small pond (Ireland) but it's much harder to make the big leagues internationally without a serious financial injection from a very young age.
If you enjoyed Agassi's book Open (I loved it), you'll enjoy this one too I think. Niland doesn't shy away from introspection and self-criticism, which makes it all the more interesting. I felt relieved for him when he retired - the pressure valve finally released.
One for the sports fans and tennis lovers in your life. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify Premium. Conor narrates the book himself and does an excellent job. 4.5/5 stars
August 25, 2024
Controversial, but I preferred this to Agassi's book.
August 10, 2024
a compelling, entertaining, can't-put-it-down read that documents the brutal realities of the lower reaches of the pro tennis tour (which, in spite of being a world away from niland in level/skill and commitment, i have a unique insight on, having once for fun played - and lost - qualifying matches in tunisia at the lowest level of the pros, the dreaded 'ITF futures' satellite tour referred to herein)
equal parts funny and emotional - you really feel his pain as he documents the loneliness of life on the road; struggles with injury; the idea of being so close and yet so far from glory and riches, as ireland's highest-ever ranked born-and-raised player, at #129 in the world - i read this in a day, utterly absorbed, often chuckling, and bawled my eyes out at its gorgeous, heart-wrenching conclusion
the front cover review calling it the 'kitchen confidential for tennis' is pretty well spot-on and i would highly recommend this to any and all tennis fans out there!
equal parts funny and emotional - you really feel his pain as he documents the loneliness of life on the road; struggles with injury; the idea of being so close and yet so far from glory and riches, as ireland's highest-ever ranked born-and-raised player, at #129 in the world - i read this in a day, utterly absorbed, often chuckling, and bawled my eyes out at its gorgeous, heart-wrenching conclusion
the front cover review calling it the 'kitchen confidential for tennis' is pretty well spot-on and i would highly recommend this to any and all tennis fans out there!
February 28, 2025
This was so much better than I expected. Dry humour, lid-lifting and an incredible chapter capturing the heat of the moment at Wimbledon and the heart-shredding pain of coming close to your dream but watch it fall short. Good stuff.
August 26, 2024
could have been me
October 1, 2024
He really did lose a lot. Very entertaining and insightful though, would recommend.
January 6, 2025
interesting and largely untold perspective of a professional tennis player near the top without ever breaking into the 100 best in the world (top ranking of 129). makes you reconsider all the privileges the ATP and ad sponsorships load on to the very few at the top, while the rest are forced to live a nomadic, non-lucrative lifestyle for a sport they give their life (at least until mid-30s) to.
“I don’t believe it’s a contradiction to say that I didn’t fulfill my potential while also saying I couldn’t have tried any harder”
**purchased at Books Upstairs in Dublin, quite fittingly
“I don’t believe it’s a contradiction to say that I didn’t fulfill my potential while also saying I couldn’t have tried any harder”
**purchased at Books Upstairs in Dublin, quite fittingly
December 29, 2025
I haven't read a lot of sport biographies but I thought this gave such a good insight into the world of tennis and making it big, I never realised how much it was like the music/film industry. It was great reading about the highs and lows of his career and his personal perspective of them. Even though they were rare, I loved the parts where he was describing the tennis match themself. A bit more on what he's doing now would've been nice, but I suppose that's not really what the book is about. #LimerickMentioned
September 16, 2024
Brilliant book if you’re a serious tennis fan! A little too much intricate details of tennis matches for me, but enjoyed it nonetheless.
Read
January 6, 2025shoutout to anna for bringing this back across the pond for me: I really enjoyed this read! It was great insight into a more normal tennis career. previously I had only read a tennis novel surrounding Federer which is far removed from a majority of pro tennis players experiences.
November 24, 2025
refreshingly honest
August 30, 2024
Brilliant
Read
January 28, 2025Most tennis memoirs are fairytale stories of greatness. They describe the arc of the player’s career: the practices and tournaments of early childhood, adversity and setbacks along their path, and finally a satisfying rise to glory at one or more Grand Slam championships.
We read about the relentless training, single-mindedness, and enormous sacrifices of childhood and youth. We muse at the cost of greatness.
Seldom do we stop to consider those whose personal sacrifice matched the greats yet failed to break into tennis’ upper echelons; whose careers ended as unremarkably as they began, and whose names fade into obscurity.
Niland is one such player.
As an Irish phenom with tennis obsessed parents, he grew up living and breathing the sport. He competed internationally at a young age, beating Federer as a teenager and was once selected to hit with Serena Williams at a Florida training center. Niland chose college tennis at California Berkely and came to dominate the NCAA tennis circuit in the U.S. He became the number one ranked player in Ireland.
Niland did not therefore seem delusional in believing he had a shot at making it to the top of the sport.
He battled it out on the Futures tour to accumulate ranking points. He later graduated to the Challenger circuit where players ranked from 100 to 300 compete for the opportunity to qualify for the likes of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
The winners of the Grand Slams as well as the 100 or so players who compete in them occupy a rarefied position. They earn enough prize money, endorsements and even “appearance fees” to cover their costs and earn a living.
For the other 99% of professional players, life is not so good.
This book is an eye-opener for anyone aspiring to professional tennis. The climb is way steeper than it appears, especially if you’re from a small country that lacks the resources to develop its top talent.
The point and ranking system in pro tennis are unforgiving and designed to entrench the positions of the Grand Slam incumbents. The lower professional circuit is a treadmill with no stop button because the points you’ve accumulated expire in 12 months. There is no grace given for injuries, burnout, or a sorely needed vacation after the toll of nonstop travel.
If there were a job posting for “Professional tennis player”, it might read like this:
- Must travel the world at the drop of a hat to obscure venues in remote towns
- The work will be evaluated day by day and might last one day or one week. On your last day you’ll be released to book a flight home or to another venue.
- Work will take place at all hours of the day, and no advance schedule is given. Work continues as long as it takes to complete the job.
- To prepare for the job you must practice 4 hours a day and exist at peak physical and mental condition
- Worker pays 100% of travel costs
- Worker pays 100% of all tools and equipment needed, until job proficiency attracts a sponsor
- Work has a high risk of injury including wrist, hip, and shoulder surgery. No health insurance offered. If time off is needed for medical reasons, all job seniority is forgone
- Pay is 100% contingent on performance. Most jobs yield little to no pay.
- Must be willing to work in all conditions, from extreme heat to extreme cold, and on all surfaces (grass, hardcourt, clay)
- The job has an element of luck and, while the job has rules, others may break them at your expense
- Co-workers will be self-absorbed and adversarial. No lasting friendships develop.
- No pension
- No transferable skills
Niland’s experience is bittersweet but tends more toward the bitter than the sweet. At his first and only appearance at Wimbledon, he has a 5th set victory within his clutches only to watch it slip away. He claws his way through the qualifying rounds of the U.S. Open to earn a shot at Djokovic, only to get food poisoning the night before the match.
Despite the harsh life on tour and the heartbreaking losses along the way, Niland doesn’t quite regret the years he gave the sport of tennis. He truly loves the game.
If you read this book and still want to play professional tennis, onward you go. You’re doing it for the right reasons.
We read about the relentless training, single-mindedness, and enormous sacrifices of childhood and youth. We muse at the cost of greatness.
Seldom do we stop to consider those whose personal sacrifice matched the greats yet failed to break into tennis’ upper echelons; whose careers ended as unremarkably as they began, and whose names fade into obscurity.
Niland is one such player.
As an Irish phenom with tennis obsessed parents, he grew up living and breathing the sport. He competed internationally at a young age, beating Federer as a teenager and was once selected to hit with Serena Williams at a Florida training center. Niland chose college tennis at California Berkely and came to dominate the NCAA tennis circuit in the U.S. He became the number one ranked player in Ireland.
Niland did not therefore seem delusional in believing he had a shot at making it to the top of the sport.
He battled it out on the Futures tour to accumulate ranking points. He later graduated to the Challenger circuit where players ranked from 100 to 300 compete for the opportunity to qualify for the likes of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
The winners of the Grand Slams as well as the 100 or so players who compete in them occupy a rarefied position. They earn enough prize money, endorsements and even “appearance fees” to cover their costs and earn a living.
For the other 99% of professional players, life is not so good.
This book is an eye-opener for anyone aspiring to professional tennis. The climb is way steeper than it appears, especially if you’re from a small country that lacks the resources to develop its top talent.
The point and ranking system in pro tennis are unforgiving and designed to entrench the positions of the Grand Slam incumbents. The lower professional circuit is a treadmill with no stop button because the points you’ve accumulated expire in 12 months. There is no grace given for injuries, burnout, or a sorely needed vacation after the toll of nonstop travel.
If there were a job posting for “Professional tennis player”, it might read like this:
- Must travel the world at the drop of a hat to obscure venues in remote towns
- The work will be evaluated day by day and might last one day or one week. On your last day you’ll be released to book a flight home or to another venue.
- Work will take place at all hours of the day, and no advance schedule is given. Work continues as long as it takes to complete the job.
- To prepare for the job you must practice 4 hours a day and exist at peak physical and mental condition
- Worker pays 100% of travel costs
- Worker pays 100% of all tools and equipment needed, until job proficiency attracts a sponsor
- Work has a high risk of injury including wrist, hip, and shoulder surgery. No health insurance offered. If time off is needed for medical reasons, all job seniority is forgone
- Pay is 100% contingent on performance. Most jobs yield little to no pay.
- Must be willing to work in all conditions, from extreme heat to extreme cold, and on all surfaces (grass, hardcourt, clay)
- The job has an element of luck and, while the job has rules, others may break them at your expense
- Co-workers will be self-absorbed and adversarial. No lasting friendships develop.
- No pension
- No transferable skills
Niland’s experience is bittersweet but tends more toward the bitter than the sweet. At his first and only appearance at Wimbledon, he has a 5th set victory within his clutches only to watch it slip away. He claws his way through the qualifying rounds of the U.S. Open to earn a shot at Djokovic, only to get food poisoning the night before the match.
Despite the harsh life on tour and the heartbreaking losses along the way, Niland doesn’t quite regret the years he gave the sport of tennis. He truly loves the game.
If you read this book and still want to play professional tennis, onward you go. You’re doing it for the right reasons.
November 7, 2024
This is an intriguingly honest sports book. Niland - it’s safe to say - is someone who even hardcore tennis fans have almost certainly never heard of. He never broke the world top 100 and his career highlights were losing in the first round of Wimbledon and retiring sick against Novak Djokovic in the US Open. By his own admission, he didn’t retire at the end of his career - he just stopped playing and no-one noticed.
What’s good about this book is that he totally unglamorously sets this all out and gives a very honest sense about both how relentless and unrewarding this sort of career is. It should basically be required reading for anyone who wants to become a professional athlete to show them how even success means no security, no money and not even really any professional highs.
It isn’t a five star book precisely because of that repetition (he barely progresses at all through his entire career!).
What’s good about this book is that he totally unglamorously sets this all out and gives a very honest sense about both how relentless and unrewarding this sort of career is. It should basically be required reading for anyone who wants to become a professional athlete to show them how even success means no security, no money and not even really any professional highs.
It isn’t a five star book precisely because of that repetition (he barely progresses at all through his entire career!).
December 31, 2024
Tennis is one of those sports which is utterly boring on radio: "Forehand, and a backhand, another forehand, to the backhand, lob, forehand, backhand, forehand, net". I can now confirm this is also true for descriptions of tennis points in print!
The Racket is an OK read about what life is like for a tennis pro who hasn't quite made it to Rafa and Roger levels.
I'm a tennis fan but I found the book a little repetitious. The central point, that life on the tennis tour is pretty shit if you aren't a big star, is made again and again.
Ultimately, Niland seems like too nice a guy to dish any dirt on the big names, and there just aren't enough good anecdotes to bring this to life.
The book was easy to read and had a few interesting moments, but probably one for big tennis fans only.
The Racket is an OK read about what life is like for a tennis pro who hasn't quite made it to Rafa and Roger levels.
I'm a tennis fan but I found the book a little repetitious. The central point, that life on the tennis tour is pretty shit if you aren't a big star, is made again and again.
Ultimately, Niland seems like too nice a guy to dish any dirt on the big names, and there just aren't enough good anecdotes to bring this to life.
The book was easy to read and had a few interesting moments, but probably one for big tennis fans only.
October 12, 2024
A compelling glimpse into the often overlooked world of a professional tennis athlete trying to break into the top 100. The ups and downs. Fantastic read
October 7, 2024
Great audible!
February 28, 2025
Such an incredible read, brutal honesty, utter dedication, loved it all
January 23, 2025
Great insight into life on the tennis circuit, what a tough life . Well written- highly recommend
March 23, 2025
Very interesting chronicle of the struggles of a tennis player establishing himself on the pro tour.
July 25, 2025
A beautifully written book about the brutal realities of professional tennis - for the 99% whose names we would not recognise.
Niland writes really well (maybe because he majored in English at UCLA and read John Updike when he was not playing tennis?) The lesson is that if you're entering a high-risk profession like tennis, it doesn't hurt to also be a good writer, so that even if you don't win big you can still write about it.
Niland writes really well (maybe because he majored in English at UCLA and read John Updike when he was not playing tennis?) The lesson is that if you're entering a high-risk profession like tennis, it doesn't hurt to also be a good writer, so that even if you don't win big you can still write about it.
April 4, 2025
I like this man
July 21, 2025
Brilliant expose into professional sport and the lower tiers of it. One of the best sporting books I’ve read
August 1, 2024
3.5 stars. Probably only a good read for serious tennis fans. Honestly it was challenging to read a book where things never quite worked out: he would get to the big match…and then lose. Again and again. In some ways, it’s revealing about us as readers (or at least me) how hard it is to read a book like this where it never has that big emotional victory moment. I learned a lot about the lower tiers of professional tennis but maybe not enough to make it worthwhile unless you really love tennis.
June 13, 2024
An incredible window in the tennis golden age. A great read/listen
Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews