String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis: A Library of America Special Publication

If you were someone who harboured dreams of being a professional tennis player, then this is a must read. The writing feels overly descriptive at times when you're not in the mood for it, but there's no denying that DFW captures pro tennis like no other writer. I finished and felt genuinely sad that I'd never read his writing about the great tennis players ever again. What would he have made of Federer's revival? Things we will never know. This is a book I will read over and over. It needs to be up there with great books about sport.

I mean, really: the one about Federer and the one about Michael Joyce! The knowledge and the writing. If you care at all for tennis, and for writing, treat yourself to this one.

David Foster Wallace's book is a charming and unusual example of the meeting of high sport and high intellect. I think that many top sportsmen are very bright people but not many would have the combination of experience of elite competition and the extraordinary depth of vocabulary which enables Wallace to describe tennis at the highest level in the way that he does. His essay on Federer is well-known but I enjoyed his descriptions of his battles with Mid-Western wind and more physically gifted opponents just as much. He is never an easy read but if you want to give your brain cells a pre-Wimbledon work-out as well as your tennis arm, this is the book for you.

Brilliant writing and observations, although it probably helps, too, if you also love tennis.

The introduction from another writer is a bit wordy and trying to hard to match David Wallace's very witty and clever writing. The actual body of the book is very well written and in a supreme sarcastic tone. The chapters on his childhood, Joyce and Federer are especially worth a read. His thinking on tennis and the very peculiar and smart descriptions of how the game works at competitive levels (the harsh realities of high level tennis, the geometric / physics considerations to a tennis rally) genuinely surprised me. Loads of dry humour. A few chapters were rather wordy/lengthy for my taste such as the Quebec tournament or the non-tennis aspects of the US Open.

What a writer this guy is.

great

A little opaque and at times the analogy between tennis and 'string theory' can seem a little forced. A nice read nonetheless and arrived in good condition.

“String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis” is a collection of five essays written by David Foster Wallace about his passion for tennis. First published in 2016, the book compiles some of Wallace’s best sports writing, focusing on tennis as both a professional sport and a deeply personal pursuit. Wallace, an avid tennis player in his youth, uses the essays to explore the beauty, intensity, and psychology of the game, while also offering insights into his broader themes of human effort, obsession, and performance. Overview of the Essays 1. “Derivative Sport in Tornado Alley”: This autobiographical essay reflects on Wallace’s time as a junior tennis player growing up in the flat, windy Midwest. He connects the experience of learning to play tennis in these conditions to larger philosophical ideas, such as the randomness of life and how people navigate forces beyond their control. 2. “How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart”: In this piece, Wallace reviews tennis star Tracy Austin’s autobiography. He is puzzled and ultimately disappointed by the book’s lack of depth, despite Austin’s incredible achievements. Wallace uses the essay to explore the disconnect between athletic genius and self-awareness, concluding that perhaps being a great athlete requires a certain obliviousness to the complexities of life that makes writing about those experiences difficult. 3. “Tennis Player Michael Joyce’s Professional Artistry as a Paradigm of Certain Stuff About Choice, Freedom, Discipline, Joy, Grotesquerie, and Human Completeness”: This essay, originally written for Esquire, profiles journeyman player Michael Joyce during the 1995 Canadian Open. Wallace focuses on the grueling, thankless work of being a lower-ranked professional tennis player. Through Joyce’s experience, Wallace contemplates the nature of dedication and artistry in a sport that can often seem dominated by stars. 4. “The String Theory”: Originally published in The New York Times Magazine, this essay is considered one of Wallace’s finest pieces of sports journalism. It details the professional tennis circuit from the perspective of an outsider. Wallace blends sharp observations about the game’s physical and mental demands with meditations on fame, isolation, and the incredible talent required to compete at the highest level. 5. “Federer Both Flesh and Not”: Perhaps the most famous of his tennis essays, Wallace writes with awe about Roger Federer, whom he describes as a “religious experience” for anyone who watches him play. This essay is a celebration of Federer’s physical grace and mastery of tennis, but also a reflection on the transcendence that can occur in sports when human effort reaches a sublime level. Strengths of the Book 1. Masterful prose: Wallace’s writing is energetic, insightful, and precise, reflecting both his deep love for tennis and his talent as a writer. His ability to blend technical analysis with personal reflection, humor, and larger philosophical musings makes these essays engaging and unique, even for readers who are not tennis fans. 2. Insightful perspective on sports and performance: Wallace doesn’t just describe tennis matches or players; he delves into the psychology of athletes, the culture of the sport, and the personal toll it can take. He presents tennis as a microcosm of larger human struggles—control, effort, and the pursuit of perfection. 3. Philosophical depth: True to Wallace’s style, the essays offer philosophical reflections on topics like the nature of talent, discipline, and the isolation that comes with extraordinary achievement. He explores how athletes balance physical prowess with mental resilience, and how their narrow focus on a single goal shapes their identity. 4. Variety of focus: The book offers a range of perspectives, from the glamorous heights of Federer’s career to the gritty, behind-the-scenes world of lesser-known players like Michael Joyce. This variety gives the reader a comprehensive picture of tennis as a sport, industry, and form of art. Criticisms of the Book 1. Tennis-specific jargon: For readers who are unfamiliar with tennis, some of Wallace’s writing might be difficult to follow. He uses technical terms and often delves into detailed analysis of the sport’s mechanics, which may not appeal to casual readers or those without a solid understanding of tennis. 2. Dense and complex writing style: Wallace’s signature style includes long, intricate sentences, footnotes, and digressions. While this is a hallmark of his writing, it can also be overwhelming for readers who prefer straightforward prose. The essays demand focus and may feel overly complex for those looking for light sports writing. 3. Less focus on broader themes: Although Wallace touches on universal themes like talent and discipline, some readers may find that the essays stick too closely to tennis itself. While there are philosophical undertones, the subject matter is often deeply embedded in the sport, which may limit its appeal to those who are not sports enthusiasts. Conclusion “String Theory” showcases David Foster Wallace’s love for tennis and his ability to turn a seemingly niche subject into a profound exploration of human performance and artistry. His writing captures the technical beauty of the game while also offering deep reflections on the challenges and rewards of athletic excellence. For tennis fans, the collection is a must-read, offering insights into the sport from one of the most thoughtful observers of the game. For general readers, it’s an opportunity to experience Wallace’s brilliance in a less overwhelming format, though some of the tennis jargon and detailed analysis may be challenging. Overall, String Theory is a celebration of tennis, talent, and the philosophical richness of sports.

He enjoyed it as a tennis player

Como um aficcionado por tenis, vivo ele todo dia, um livro de uma poesia e de uma escrita sensacional, David tinha o dom para a escrita e transforma todo o seu amor pelo tenis nestes ensaios incríveis. Um dos melhores livros de tenis de todos os tempos

Pues este libro fué un regalo para un fanático del tenis, es una especie de biografía que mezcla la carrera en el tenis de David Foster y algunas disertaciones sobre matemáticas y física. Se lo dí a un fan del tenis con un grado en física y le gustó mucho.

A very thin book and these essays have all been published elsewhere. But, it is great to have them in a compilation. Nobody writes about tennis better than David Foster Wallace.