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I want to start by saying simply how much I enjoyed this book. I knew that Serena has wanted to do some serious writing and has done some articles here and there, but what I didn’t know is that she has been writing journals for a long time. This memoir is a fascinating collection of vignettes that chronicle this amazing young champion’s rise to the top of her game.
Her father advised all his children from a young age to write down thoughts, hopes, and plans and that is exactly what Serena did and continues to do. She says, “Writing can be an extremely effective tool for harnessing your energies and keeping your focus.” It also helps her to decompress after a difficult match. She uses the journals as road maps for future matches. The entire last chapter has her 2008 journal on the US Open.
Serena generously shares how the journals and notes work for her. One of my favorite parts of the book is the match notes. I am tempted to copy them and bring them to my next tennis match. If it works for Serena, who knows?
Overall, I was struck by the honesty with which she approached this book. The chapter on the Indian Wells 2001 Masters is particularly poignant. The racial slurring and booing that Serena endured throughout the Final match against Kim Clijsters, are depicted quite openly and show many a scar has yet to heal. Finally, I just want to applaud this talented player (and writer) and wish her many more victories. It is often said that when Serena “shows up” at a match, she wins. In 2008, at the US Open when Serena played her sister Venus in the Quarterfinals and was behind, someone yelled from the stands “Use the Force, Serena”. I think we can all agree that the “Force” is with her. Reviewed by Kathleen L |
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