Product Description

For fifty weeks a year, Fred Perry is more associated with the laurel logo and leisurewear that bears his name than his tennis exploits. Then, as Wimbledon returns, and the British hunt for his successor, he stands again as a sporting great. For Perry, Wimbledon champion three times in the 1930s, is the finest player Britain has produced. One of the world's first truly international sportsmen, he won the game's four major titles on three continents, an unprecedented feat, and led Britain's annexation of the Davis Cup, the world team championship. Perry came from an unprivileged background and found himself supremely gifted in a sport that discouraged the advancement of those without social standing or private means. The ambition and drive that would take him on his unlikely journey to the top were glimpsed first in his father, Sam, who served two stints as a Labour MP. Perry, who disliked politics, turned first to table tennis, winning the world title without formal lessons. By then he had stumbled on tennis, which soon monopolised his life. Never comfortable with the establishment - a feeling that was reciprocated - Perry turned professional in 1937. He compounded this perceived sin by taking out US citizenship when war broke out. He embraced his new country wholeheartedly. From Hollywood to Florida, he led a vigorous private life, the handsome escort of beautiful women and husband of four wives. "The Last Champion" is the first biography of Fred Perry. Through extensive research and interviews, Jon Henderson, tennis correspondent of the "Observer", tells the remarkable story of a remarkable man.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51291 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Review
`enthralling book'
--Sunday Express

'Henderson is a fine writer who knows his tennis'
--Telegraph

About the Author
Jon Henderson has covered every Wimbledon since 1969. He is tennis correspondent and deputy sports editor of the Observer.

Customer Reviews

extraordinary man in extraordinary times
the achievements of the man were extraordinary ,considering the elitlst sporting world that he chose to enter . But the book gives us an insight into the life of a man who not only was a sporting goliath ,not only a man of great panache ,but a man who had he lived today would have been recognised as a role model supreme

the last champion
Really enjoyed this biog of the last british male champion of wimbledon.Having previously read his 1984 autobiography I found this a very comprehensive and interesting read.I certainly agree with the idea that Andy Murray appears to be cut out of the same cloth.
Mike Geraghty Tennis Coach

Will he be the last come August.
A wonderful book written by a very knowledgeable author. Read it before Fred is not our last Wimbledon Champion! Good luck Murray.