Brutal, honest and humorous account of Conor Niland's goal of making it on the professional tour. From playing Roger as a junior to flying around the world for low paid and poorly organised ITF Futures events, a real eye opener for life of those who haven't quite made it.

This really is a joyous read and easily one of the finest tennis books ever written. It takes you behind the scenes at the world's biggest tournaments, with wonderful detail on the top players. It also provides compelling insight on the lower rungs of the game, along with a moving and humorous personal narrative. I read it in one sitting.

Part autobiography, part commentary, Niland brilliantly reveals the hidden reality of life as a tennis pro, whilst also raising some important questions as to whether the ATP’s current business model is sustainable. Readers will be shocked by the stark contrasts between the lives of the top 150 on tour and those who, despite failing to achieve such heights, sometimes find themselves on the other side of the net to them.

Whilst the big four of modern tennis were hoovering up Grand Slam titles Conor Niland was ploughing a different furrow on the Futures and Challenger tours. This is his story and tells the tale of cheap hotels, dismal prize money, empty stands and frequent loneliness. A thoroughly readable and entertaining insight in to the life of a journeyman who dreams of, and works incredibly hard for, just one moment in the sun and an appearance at a Slam. Does he make it? Is it worth it? Does he regret it? You'll want to keep reading to find out all this as well as the realities of the darker side of the game - the injuries, the doping and the match fixing. Whether you tune in once a year for Wimbledon or follow tennis regularly this is an eye-opening first hand account of life on tour and shouldn't be missed. Recommend.

Based on the title, I was expecting this book to be a history of tennis up to modern day, with the occasional mention of Conor Niland’s successes. Instead it is a very slow moving account of Niland’s career - but so self deprecating, I wondered why he was attempting to become a professional tennis player.