Moving in Stereo

Tom Trondson uses his considerable first-hand knowledge of professional tennis—its history, psychology, mores, and endorsement deals-for this seriocomic bildungsroman. His protagonist, Richard Blanco, is an erratic also-ran of the pro circuit: capable of winning on Centre Court but more likely to flame out spectacularly. Trondson has given us a persuasive, compelling bad boy: a caddish libertine and a haunted searcher who might be careening towards some sort of enlightenment. A crosscourt winner.

—Dylan Hicks, author of Amateurs and Boarded Windows

First off, make no mistake, this is a tennis novel through and through. But if you’re like me—have a passing interest in tennis, casually enjoy the majors, and are grateful if you and your opponent/partner can cobble together four or five strokes worth of back and forth over the net—not to worry, it’s not “inside baseball.” Trondson’s writing about tennis (the play and the lifestyle) lends it an easy familiarity that makes it feel like a shared experience. Through his protagonist, Richard Blanco, (I can’t be the only one who had “white dick” in the back of my mind while reading it), he also deftly describes and portrays the bombast and fragility of the male ego, and the very fine line therein. As such, the story is simultaneously and appropriately ballsy and vulnerable.

—Forrest Griffen, verified review on Amazon

Using his deep personal experience, Trondson has pulled the curtain back on the inner life of a celebrity athlete, in this case a high-level tennis star, and the picture we get is both humorous and unsettling. It’s a rare look at the mental gymnastics people at this level have to endure to maintain their grip on the highest rungs of performance. It’s a wonderful read. Fun and meaningful. Highly recommended.

—JKat, verified review on Amazon

I’m a casual tennis fan but this plot grabbed me because it begins with the excitement of a Wimbledon match which even casual tennis fans are well aware of. While tennis is the main theme—this story goes well beyond that focus and becomes a study in the mind of a top athlete. The struggle between confidence and self-doubt. The hero—worshiping pro athletes are accustomed too and easily exploit. But also the desire this pro athlete has to settle down and live a family life.

—Mace Pfutzenreuter, verified review on Amazon

I enjoyed this book tremendously. It’s full of sex and the crazy life of a fictional (but believable) pro tennis player, so there’s that. I wasn’t sure I liked the main character at first, but now that I’m finished, I want the story to keep going and I find myself cheering him on. I’m looking forward to the next one.

—Melissa C, verified review on Amazon