Ladies of the Court: Grace & Disgrace on the Women's Tennis Tour

Beneath the seductive surface of women's tennis, with its glamour, fame and money, there are less appealing aspects, which Mewshaw ( Short Circuit ) exposes in this revealing study. Following the tradition begun by Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger, girls are joining the circuit at an age when their bodies are not fully developed, making them likely candidates for injuries. Many are pushed into pro careers by parents who tyrannize them or, in some cases, beat them. Most are trained by male coaches who in some cases institute sexual relationships with the youngsters, a situation not discouraged by parents who fear that their daughters will become lesbians. Only a few are high school graduates, and the majority of them are exceedingly dull and inarticulate. Thus it should come as no surprise that the most interesting comments in the book are those of Martina Navratilova, who, after the 14-year-old media darling Jennifer Capriati suffered a defeat, observed: ``All that hype doesn't win victories.'' (Apr.)