You were a solid tennis pro, and now a pro writer. Both admirable and worthy accomplishments. And you hit the trifecta with your superb commentating. We’ll simply refer to you as Andrea now.
Another great article, Andrea. Can I just say: Maybe you’re being too harsh on yourself. I read a *lot*; I read about sports; I watch a fair bit of various sports.
There are better tennis players out there, realistically.
There are some better writers out there.
But I don’t think anyone combines *being* an elite sportsperson and *writing* about elite sports as well as you. I think you’re unique!
Dear Andrea. I’m such a big fan of your writing. It’s insightful, funny, self-deprecating. And it really brings you inside to a place and time the rest of us can only imagine - what it’s like to play tennis at the highest level against an all-time great. Please ask your publisher to publish your book in English because these little morsels of yours that come out once a week are not enough for those of us who want to consume your thoughts on tennis and life.
thank you so much, joe! my german publishing house is working on it and hopefully we will be lucky enough to get picked up by an american (or british) publisher. fingers crossed! :)
Another superb read. If it is any consolation…Patti and I didn’t drop everything we were doing at a moment’s notice and book an unplanned trip to New York for Serena’s retirement. We did, however, have the great pleasure of being there for yours. A memory we will never forget.
Andrea Petkovic, great writer and former great tennis player, you will not be forgotten!
Sports are so magnetic because they offer many narratives, not only involving sporting accomplishments but also real-life stories.
Looking only at sporting categories, there are: all-time greats, trend setters, young prodigies, one-hit wonders, enigmatic talents, overachievers, late-bloomers, etc.
Add to that some remarkable personal journeys and there is something from anyone that fans can relate to. That is beautiful and explains why sports following is so immersive!
Andrea, from someone 65 years old and with some perspective, listen. Do you know Don Budge? First man to win a Grand Slam. My grandpa beat him in three sets. One day the world may very well say, "Did you know that Andrea Petkovic was once a pro tennis player?" They will, of course, be speaking of knowing you as a world class writer, with a shelf of your extraordinary books.
Grandpa Clem Easton, a nobody scrambler who could return anything you threw at him (in life too) ran Don Budge off the court in disgust at an exhibition match in New England. Even though Budge was ten years younger.
Is your book available in English anywhere? I can't find it.
Andrea, try to find time to read 3 Body Problem (and the other two, if you can).
I only made it through the first two books prior to watching the series, but they are great. The show is a good watch, but it's really not the same and flies through things very quickly compared to the books (as you'd expect).
Also, you had a great career, and were always one of my favourite players to watch in a match. Perhaps it was your personality, the way you handled interviews, or things like the Petko dance, but you were always interesting. Only a few can ever be the best, but it doesn't mean the rest are forgotten!
I tell everyone I know I discovered the Arctic Monkeys too! Because I would listen to internet streams of BBC Radio 6 and put them on CD mixtapes before their first album came out. But I did not get to see them in concert that early (had to wait until 2010) so I am very jealous!!!
Looking forward to this series! Serena has always been one of my favorites. I have an interesting story about her.
Two years ago at the Western & Southern Open while Serena was practicing, a ball flew out of the court next to her and onto the concourse. It bounced around for a while and a lady just coming down the path picked it up. Some of the throng of people watching were trying to tell her to throw it back (which I think is technically protocol), but she was confused as to what to do. Another guy who had just come up said, "You got a Serena ball, you keep that!"
So that lady is going to spend the rest of her life with a ball that she thought Serena Williams hit, but really someone else did. I didn't have the heart to tell her. I hope she isn't reading this.
this quote, ‘I had accomplished nothing’ is not true. I think 99.5% of people don’t realize how difficult it is to reach your level in tennis. It is like, if you didn’t win a slam or were not rated no.1 you didn’t accomplish anything- BS.
and no.2, now you are a writer, and a very good one
You were a solid tennis pro, and now a pro writer. Both admirable and worthy accomplishments. And you hit the trifecta with your superb commentating. We’ll simply refer to you as Andrea now.
Another great article, Andrea. Can I just say: Maybe you’re being too harsh on yourself. I read a *lot*; I read about sports; I watch a fair bit of various sports.
There are better tennis players out there, realistically.
There are some better writers out there.
But I don’t think anyone combines *being* an elite sportsperson and *writing* about elite sports as well as you. I think you’re unique!
yeah and we are suppose to be the best that we can each individually be. and you are doing that Andrea!
Dear Andrea. I’m such a big fan of your writing. It’s insightful, funny, self-deprecating. And it really brings you inside to a place and time the rest of us can only imagine - what it’s like to play tennis at the highest level against an all-time great. Please ask your publisher to publish your book in English because these little morsels of yours that come out once a week are not enough for those of us who want to consume your thoughts on tennis and life.
thank you so much, joe! my german publishing house is working on it and hopefully we will be lucky enough to get picked up by an american (or british) publisher. fingers crossed! :)
Will keep an eye out for it. Thank you. 😊
Came here to say the same!
Another superb read. If it is any consolation…Patti and I didn’t drop everything we were doing at a moment’s notice and book an unplanned trip to New York for Serena’s retirement. We did, however, have the great pleasure of being there for yours. A memory we will never forget.
i‘m so glad you were there! i will never forget that 💙
Thank you! It meant so much to us.
Love this. Frankly I would rather meet you than Serena!
haha, thank you 💙
Andrea Petkovic, great writer and former great tennis player, you will not be forgotten!
Sports are so magnetic because they offer many narratives, not only involving sporting accomplishments but also real-life stories.
Looking only at sporting categories, there are: all-time greats, trend setters, young prodigies, one-hit wonders, enigmatic talents, overachievers, late-bloomers, etc.
Add to that some remarkable personal journeys and there is something from anyone that fans can relate to. That is beautiful and explains why sports following is so immersive!
Very warm and thrilling to read, thank you.
Andrea, from someone 65 years old and with some perspective, listen. Do you know Don Budge? First man to win a Grand Slam. My grandpa beat him in three sets. One day the world may very well say, "Did you know that Andrea Petkovic was once a pro tennis player?" They will, of course, be speaking of knowing you as a world class writer, with a shelf of your extraordinary books.
Grandpa Clem Easton, a nobody scrambler who could return anything you threw at him (in life too) ran Don Budge off the court in disgust at an exhibition match in New England. Even though Budge was ten years younger.
Is your book available in English anywhere? I can't find it.
not yet unfortunately but my german publishing house is working on it 🙏🏻 grandpa clem sounds like a pretty cool guy!
Very quiet but played tennis from 10 am until 6pm or later if he could get a partner.
What is it like to play one of the greatest tennis players ever? Now we know. 🙂 It's still super cool that you took a set off her!
Andrea, try to find time to read 3 Body Problem (and the other two, if you can).
I only made it through the first two books prior to watching the series, but they are great. The show is a good watch, but it's really not the same and flies through things very quickly compared to the books (as you'd expect).
Also, you had a great career, and were always one of my favourite players to watch in a match. Perhaps it was your personality, the way you handled interviews, or things like the Petko dance, but you were always interesting. Only a few can ever be the best, but it doesn't mean the rest are forgotten!
ugh, i really have to! you edged me on - i will order it tomorrow, no excuses 💥
The Cameroon tennis outfit! Geez, what a terrific detail and one that, in an instant, turns my perception of Serena on it’s head.
Had a great laugh reading this piece:
"But in my mind I also think I discovered the Arctic Monkeys and Adam Driver so do with that what you will."
i kinda did - right? ;)
I tell everyone I know I discovered the Arctic Monkeys too! Because I would listen to internet streams of BBC Radio 6 and put them on CD mixtapes before their first album came out. But I did not get to see them in concert that early (had to wait until 2010) so I am very jealous!!!
listen, you and me! the reals MUSIC CONNAISSEURS 💙
YES ❤️❤️❤️
Looking forward to this series! Serena has always been one of my favorites. I have an interesting story about her.
Two years ago at the Western & Southern Open while Serena was practicing, a ball flew out of the court next to her and onto the concourse. It bounced around for a while and a lady just coming down the path picked it up. Some of the throng of people watching were trying to tell her to throw it back (which I think is technically protocol), but she was confused as to what to do. Another guy who had just come up said, "You got a Serena ball, you keep that!"
So that lady is going to spend the rest of her life with a ball that she thought Serena Williams hit, but really someone else did. I didn't have the heart to tell her. I hope she isn't reading this.
this quote, ‘I had accomplished nothing’ is not true. I think 99.5% of people don’t realize how difficult it is to reach your level in tennis. It is like, if you didn’t win a slam or were not rated no.1 you didn’t accomplish anything- BS.
and no.2, now you are a writer, and a very good one
I totally agree with Didier
This is so great. Loved watching both you and Serena back in the day.
Love your writing Andrea