Break and Hold: Inspired by a True Event
Against a seething backdrop of tennis academies, elite athletes, and ubiquitous parents, three individuals emerge harboring a dark secret.
Pulling no punches, Vivien Kalvaria delivers the unvarnished truths about life in this microcosmic world where elite players travel in packs for months at a time, competing in tournaments across the globe. Delving beneath the surface, the story uncovers the complexities and emotional struggles that beset parents and coaches in the grooming of teen athletes and the seductive elements that drive a father to mastermind a diabolical plot. The book moves at a cracking pace with lavish descriptions of knockdown-dragout matches as the story shifts from the relentless crafting of champions to a tour of European tournaments and an astonishing revelation that propels a family toward a very public trial and shattering climax.
Superbly written. Beautifully captures the extraordinary pressures of junior tennis and the tragic consequences of parents who lose their way. A terrific contribution. This is a must-read for every tennis parent.
Jim Loehr, Ed.D. Chairman & CEO, Human Performance Institute. Author of New York Times bestseller The Power of Full Engagement
