Overview

"Gail Wilson Kenna's Tennis Talk of a Nobody is an insightful account of the author's lifelong passion for tennis. Gail began playing competitive tennis at ten. Now in her eighties, she remains an active, committed player, who also teaches literature and writes books. ""Warm-up"" begins with Emily Dickinson's famous poem, followed by three sets of compelling narratives, old photos, and newspaper clippings. Kenna uses the game of tennis to reveal mysteries of chance and circumstance. Like the strings of a tennis racquet, connections and synchronicity have woven her life's path. Cut the strings and everything changes. What were the chances Gail would play poker with Arthur Ashe in 1964, a game of chance? That later both Arthur and her father, Robert T. Wilson, would have heart surgeries, receive HIV infected blood, and die from it. What were the chances earlier in 1960, that Gail would fall and break five bones in her left foot at the National Hardcourt championships? Never had she fallen on a tennis court. Billie Jean Moffit was in the stands that day, and Gail's book includes a letter to the now famous BJ King, who was once a tennis foe."

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9781734160253

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Reviews

"A reader need not be a tennis player to be charmed by Gail Wilson Kenna's love for the sport and its impact on her life. Tennis Talk of a Nobody recounts her seven decades on tennis courts: West to East in the USA, then Germany, Malaysia, and three South American countries. Her weave of compelling narratives will warm hearts of tennis players and non-players. A grand slam for every reader.Dorie Battelle, former Advertising Executive Gail Kenna has penned a creative and compelling three-set narrative, structured around the sport of tennis. Written in polished prose, Kenna weaves a commentary on life's serendipitous twists and turns, all within the strings of a tennis racquet. Game, set, match! Tennis Talk of a Nobody is a book to read. Keith Kehlbeck, author of Gone to God: (Civil War story) & Aim High: The Life and Times of John Arena Kenna's memoir chronicles her long love affair with the game of tennis, a demanding sport whose pleasures she finds both varied and durable. Played out against the changing landscape of postwar America and various posts around the world, Kenna reveals behind-the-scene machinations of high-level play, at turns treacherous and humorous. As she enters her eightieth year, she remains an active and committed player and can be found most mornings on the courts in Virginia's Northern Neck hitting wide forehands and slicing crosscourt backhands.A. Cort Sinnes, author of The Silverado Journals ""Gail Kenna's exchange with her orthopedic surgeon about Julian Barnes has made me want to read and re-read this British writer's books. I'm in awe of Kenna's memory of everything related to tennis from childhood and youth, into adulthood and old age. Congratulations for Tennis Talk of a Nobody."" Mary Stuary, retired educator and union activist"

Author Information

Gail Wilson Kenna earned B.A. USC 1965. Graduate work San Francisco State. Earned secondary teaching credential 1967, married 1968, taught in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and decade in Napa Valley. High school English teacher. Began writing 1970 after U/C Berkeley Bay Area Writing Project. First publication Redbook, 1981. Wrote for magazines & newspapers in 1980s, military audience, received awards. In Germany, completed MFA degree, then taught writing & literature for college & university programs in foreign countries & USA. Still teaching at 80. First book published 1982.Three editions, New Reader's Press, until 2003. In 2019, Along the Gold Rush Trail reprinted as Here to There and Back Again (Ingram). Five of Kenna's books currently available. Received U.S. State Department award for work in Venezuelan prisons. Beyond the Wall 2000 reprinted in 2020 (Ingram). A passionate teacher, tireless fighter for justice, lover of family, friends, students, literature & nature, Lives with 1968 husband on creek of Virginia's Chesapeake Bay. Two adult daughters live in Washington, D.C. Tennis competitor since 1953 & tennis instructor since 1960s. At 80 with new knees, plays tennis five times a week. Tennis Talk of a Nobody is her seventh book.

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