Own the Arena: Getting Ahead, Making a Difference, and Succeeding as the Only One

Adams, former president of the United States Tennis Association, shares in her strong debut the leadership skills she gained as an executive in a business where “I was [often] the only woman, only black woman, or only person of color.” She sprinkles pearls of wisdom throughout, most of which are condensed into 12 aphorisms—“own the table,” “own your successes”—that begin the book. Tennis fans will especially appreciate the lengthy, behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. Open, an event Adams organized every year during her tenure as president (2015–2018); she discusses handling the complexities of the event (“We put on the Super Bowl every day for fourteen days”) and the dramatic 2018 match between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams that ended in boos due to a controversial call. She also covers her progression through the organization, from committee leader to chairman, v-p, then president, and her successful attempts to diversify the game by nurturing upcoming talent from underserved communities. Adams especially shines when recalling the unwavering support of family, mentors, and coaches who supported her along the way. This memoir inspires. (Feb.)