Late to the Ball

Age. Learn. Fight. Love. Play Tennis. Win.

By: Gerald Marzorati

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Being a man or a woman in your early 60s is different than it was a generation or two ago, at least for the more fortunate of us. We aren't old...yet. But we sense it coming: Careers are winding down, kids are gone, parents are dying (friends, too), and our bodies are no longer youthful or even middle-aged.

Learning to play tennis in your 50s is no small feat, but becoming a serious, competitive tennis player at the age of 60 is a whole other matter. It requires training the body to defy age and to methodically build one's game - the strokework, footwork, strategy, and mental toughness.

Gerald Marzorati started playing the game seriously in his mid-50s. He had the strong desire to lead an examined physical life, to push his body into the "encore" of middle age. In Late to the Ball, Marzorati writes vividly about the difficulties, frustrations, and triumphs of his becoming a seriously good tennis player. He takes on his quest with complete vigor and absolute determination to see it through, providing a rich, vicarious experience involving the science of aging, his existential battle with time, and the beautiful, mysterious game of tennis.

©2016 Gerald Marzorati (P)2016 Tantor

Fantastic

Loved this book. Not totally a sports book, but as a tennis player I didn’t want it to end. Really well written. Narrator was excellent as well. Five stars.

Informative and Entertaining

This is a heartening story with plenty of scientific research to illuminate the psychological and physical development of a senior player. Funny and self deprecating, the author recounts his quest for tennis greatness. I think he found it. 😊

It’s all here. Everything you need to know.

I knew just from the audio sample that this would be a great read. I expected a lot, and my expectations were exceeded. The writing is superb, and the narrator was perfect. You can improve as a tennis player and a man by reading this book.

Author is unlikeable

I found myself disliking the author. He is absurdly privileged and rich and speaks from that perspective. It gets very old. Should have been a great story. But he wont get out of the way of himself.

entertaining story line for 50+ crowd

Tennis one of the top two true athletic sports, can and should be taken up at any point in life.

Serious rec players will love it

Love his story & perspective of the game. Totally relatable for adult recreation/club level players who take the game seriously.

Inspiring, insightful look at tennis that helps you believe you're never too old!

I'm a 50 year old tennis pro/corporate geek and father of a nationally ranked junior player. A buddy of mine turned me onto this title and I've got to say this is one of the most well written, entertaining and thought provoking tennis books I've ever read. If you're new to tennis, stopped playing and considering playing again, or a tennis bum, this book will inspire and motivate you to get back onto the courts. What made it especially enjoyable to me was the humility shown by the author, his writing style, acquired knowledge of the game and the people he describes. I also learned a few things! And most importantly I'm playing tennis today because of this.

Loved it!

It was incredibly similar to my own journey in tennis. He spoke of the struggles and complications and dedication it takes to get better. He even spoke of and played against players that I know and have played against. Would love to meet him someday and maybe play a match!