by Tim Palmer
Many great books have been written about tennis. One that I would term “essential” is On This Day in Tennis History by Randy Walker. Its subtitle is A Day-by-Day Anthology of Anecdotes and Historical Happenings.
Randy, who lives in Vero Beach, Fla., formerly worked in marketing for the United States Tennis Association. As press officer for the U.S. Davis Cup team and Olympics tennis teams from 1997 to 2005, he witnessed firsthand many of the events described in his book.
The former University of Georgia tennis player is also an avid golf fan. Watching the Masters golf tournament on TV one year, he became intrigued by a feature titled “On This Day in Masters History.” He decided the U.S. Open tennis tournament needed a similar treatment.
When Randy began his research in the early 1990s, the internet had not yet taken off. He relied on the USTA library, which had binders of newspaper articles on the tournament. He also searched the New York Times archives.
Sometimes he would go to the local library in Connecticut, where he lived, and peruse its files on microfiche.
His work was well received, and it became a part of the U.S. Open media guide every year.
After leaving the USTA in 200?, Randy decided the other tennis majors should have their histories told. Over a 15-year time span leading to publication of his book in 2008, the project grew to include ATP and WTA tournaments throughout the year, along with events such as the Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs match on September 20, 1973.
“I just gradually filled in the cracks,” he said.
And what if he had a date when nothing much was going on? “If you can’t find something, you have to dig deep.”
Thus the book is sprinkled with well-known players’ birthdays and mini bios of their careers.
At some point Randy adopted the mantra: “Sport can flourish if you celebrate its past.”
I highly recommend his book. It occupies a place on my bedside table next to the One Year Chronological Bible. Both provide a daily blessing.
To order the book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/This-Tennis-History-Day-Day/dp/0942257421/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DAYGY783A1GP&keywords=On+this+day+in+tennis+history&qid=1667519117&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjkzIiwicXNhIjoiMC44MSIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=on+this+day+in+tennis+histor%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1
