--- product_id: 630065835 title: "The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024" price: "€ 102.65" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/630065835-the-racket-winner-of-the-william-hill-sports-book-year store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 **Price:** € 102.65 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 - **How much does it cost?** € 102.65 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/630065835-the-racket-winner-of-the-william-hill-sports-book-year) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2024 A darkly funny memoir about the strange and fascinating world of professional tennis. ' A s elegant and powerful as a Federer backhand ... It’s Kitchen Confidential for tennis.' Ed Caesar 'Well worth a read if you want the inside track on life on the lower rungs of the tennis circuit. Warts and all.' Judy Murray ---- 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. ---- ‘An entertaining behind-the-scenes glimpse at life on the global tour’ Telegraph Best 50 Books of the Year ‘Fascinating’ The New York Times 'Conor Niland may only have managed a career-high ranking of 129 – only ? that is some achievement in itself! – but The Racket, his account of how he managed this, is up there with the best half-dozen books on tennis ever written.' Geoff Dyer 'Blending a passion for his chosen sport with a realistic study of the traumas of the tour, The Racket offers a brilliant insight from Ireland’s greatest ever tennis player.’ John Boyne 'A brilliant, unvarnished look at a brutal sporting life.' Michael Foley, Sunday Times ‘One of the best Irish sports books of the last decade’ Kieran Shannon, Irish Examiner ‘A stone-cold classic’ Malachy Clerkin, The Irish Times ‘Outstanding’ Paul Kimmage, Sunday Independent ‘A thoughtfully constructed memoir … plenty of self-deprecating humour, poignancy and insight to make this a page-turner’ The Times 'Niland writes about the loneliness and absurdity of life on tour with an elegance and immediacy that makes readers feel as if they are alongside the battered pro trying so hard to reach a better life for himself.' Donald McRae, The Guardian ‘Outstanding … brutally honest, brilliantly crafted’ Irish Independent Review: A Smashing Ace: A Review of "The Racket" by Conor Niland - Conor Niland's "The Racket" is an absolute triumph, serving up a captivating and deeply personal insight into the demanding world of professional tennis. Far from being just another sports memoir, Niland delivers a powerful narrative that resonates with anyone who has ever pursued a dream with unwavering dedication. What truly sets this book apart is Niland's remarkable honesty and vulnerability. He doesn't shy away from the grueling realities of the circuit – the relentless travel, the physical toll, the mental fortitude required to face both victory and defeat. Yet, amidst these challenges, his passion for the game shines through every page, making his journey incredibly relatable and inspiring. Niland's writing is as precise and engaging as his on-court play. He paints vivid pictures of the tournaments, the locker room camaraderie, and the solitary moments of reflection. His ability to articulate the nuances of the sport, from the tactical battles to the emotional highs and lows, is truly exceptional. Even if you're not a die-hard tennis fan, you'll find yourself drawn into the drama and intensity of his experiences. "The Racket" is more than just a story about tennis; it's a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the pursuit of excellence against all odds. Conor Niland has crafted a memoir that is both insightful and deeply moving, leaving the reader with a profound appreciation for the sacrifices and triumphs of a professional athlete. This book is a must-read for sports enthusiasts, aspiring athletes, and anyone seeking a story of courage and determination. Highly recommended! Review: Engaging and Insightful - The book gives a great insight into the life of a player on the Challenger Tour. He documents the physical and mental challenges he faced - the relentless travel and financial struggles faced by those not on the Main Tour. He is willing to highlight his loneliness and continual pressure to improve his ranking but always in an engaging and insightful way. He also talks frankly about the transition players face when heading towards the end of their career. Niland writes with fluent ease , engaging witty and full of self-deprecation which just draws you into his world easily. My only slight criticism is that it would have been interesting to discuss some of the more technical aspects of the game now and again. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 150,379 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 3 in Tennis Biographies 7 in Racket Sports 55 in General Sports, Hobbies & Games | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,653 Reviews | ## Images ![The Racket: Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91Hcw8ZWDnL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Smashing Ace: A Review of "The Racket" by Conor Niland *by S***E on 3 June 2025* Conor Niland's "The Racket" is an absolute triumph, serving up a captivating and deeply personal insight into the demanding world of professional tennis. Far from being just another sports memoir, Niland delivers a powerful narrative that resonates with anyone who has ever pursued a dream with unwavering dedication. What truly sets this book apart is Niland's remarkable honesty and vulnerability. He doesn't shy away from the grueling realities of the circuit – the relentless travel, the physical toll, the mental fortitude required to face both victory and defeat. Yet, amidst these challenges, his passion for the game shines through every page, making his journey incredibly relatable and inspiring. Niland's writing is as precise and engaging as his on-court play. He paints vivid pictures of the tournaments, the locker room camaraderie, and the solitary moments of reflection. His ability to articulate the nuances of the sport, from the tactical battles to the emotional highs and lows, is truly exceptional. Even if you're not a die-hard tennis fan, you'll find yourself drawn into the drama and intensity of his experiences. "The Racket" is more than just a story about tennis; it's a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the pursuit of excellence against all odds. Conor Niland has crafted a memoir that is both insightful and deeply moving, leaving the reader with a profound appreciation for the sacrifices and triumphs of a professional athlete. This book is a must-read for sports enthusiasts, aspiring athletes, and anyone seeking a story of courage and determination. Highly recommended! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Engaging and Insightful *by M***G on 20 December 2025* The book gives a great insight into the life of a player on the Challenger Tour. He documents the physical and mental challenges he faced - the relentless travel and financial struggles faced by those not on the Main Tour. He is willing to highlight his loneliness and continual pressure to improve his ranking but always in an engaging and insightful way. He also talks frankly about the transition players face when heading towards the end of their career. Niland writes with fluent ease , engaging witty and full of self-deprecation which just draws you into his world easily. My only slight criticism is that it would have been interesting to discuss some of the more technical aspects of the game now and again. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fascinating insight into the day to day life of 99% of tennis pros *by R***D on 2 August 2026* How can anyone afford to be a tennis pro in the early years on the Futures or Challenger tours? Couldn't put the book down. Highly recommended. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Racket: On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99% - Patriot: A Memoir - Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/630065835-the-racket-winner-of-the-william-hill-sports-book-year](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/630065835-the-racket-winner-of-the-william-hill-sports-book-year) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-09-17*