The Courting Lives of an Ageing Tennis Player

Remember when you were young, and you emulated your sporting heroes in the streets or school playground and were going to win the 100m sprint at the Olympics? The World Cup? Wimbledon? Published in 2021, Confessions of an Ageing Tennis Player tells the story of a man of a certain age – known to himself as “Lord Andrew John Paul George Ringo Murray of Kirkintilloch” – who lived out those fantasies when he was young and never quite moved on as he grew up. In an ever-increasing world of self delusion and over-identification with the ‘real’ Andrew Murray, Lord Andrew’s imagination frequently gets the better of him.  He recounts his surprise win at Wimbledon in 2013, his subsequent elevation to become the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year later that year whilst scheming for his greatest desire: to become the chairman of his local tennis club.

In this sequel to Confessions of An Ageing Tennis Player, Lord Andrew thinks he has won the vote for the club chairmanship and is to be lauded by all before him in the club.    His time has come, his victory is total. But not complete.

What’s the next challenge for the tennis player who’s just won Wimbledon?  It’s to win the next Grand Slam in Australia.  So, he goes back to his tennis roots, bades farewell to his club and sets off on his journey over the equator to Melbourne: followed in hot pursuit by the two loves of his life: world tennis champion ‘Serena Williams’ and world leading ornithologist,  ‘Phoebe Snetsinger”.   Who will find true love?  And at what cost?  The Courting Lives of an Ageing Tennis Player will reveal almost all…

Reviews include:

This is a riotous, rolling, rollicking read in the picaresque tradition. Eat your hearts out Henry Fielding and Herman Melville. As the hero hurtles through his ruthless pursuit of fame and glory, you too will probably receive an upgrade as you are laughing so much in your plane or train seat. Witty ( and wise) this is a cracking read. First in a series. (Liz Fincham, author)

A pataphysical collection of absurdities (David Llewellyn, Director, Tennis Player, Genius)

I thought it was real for about being selected for Wimbledon, literally through to the day before the semi-finals… I was coming into work saying Nick got selected, I can’t wait to read the next chapter. I loved it!  total funny journey.  (Jo McBean, Creative Triangle)

I am at the ageing tennis player and this book hits the nail on the head with an insight and humour that made me laugh out loud. Great observation, no holds barred honesty through the arena of tennis that explores between our imagination and the actuality. (Mike Stubbs, artist, curator, consultant)