Pioneers of the Game: The Evolution of Men's Professional Tennis - Paperback

by Marshall Happer (Author), Steve Flink (Foreword by)

The saga and history of the inside struggles and conflicts of a surprisingly small group of international visionaries and activists who shaped the business, administration and governance of men's professional tennis from 1919 to 1990 and beyond is told in "Pioneers of the Game." The book documents the pioneer's 40-year competition between amateur and professional tennis which eventually forced the approval of Open Tennis in 1968 followed by the creation and development of the business, administration and governance of men's tennis as a professional sport between 1968 and1990 and beyond with the divided governance with the advent of the ATP Tour. The author is Marshall Happer, who was the first and only "commissioner" of men's professional tennis as the head of the Men's Tennis Council, the first and last unified governing body of men's tennis from 1974-1989. This historical volume profiles, honors and ranks these administrative legends which include Jack Kramer, Phillippe Chatrier, Lamar Hunt, Herman David, Derek Hardwick, Robert Kelleher, Donald Dell, Mike Davies, Stan Malless, Tony Trabert, Arthur Ashe, Cliff Drysdale among others.

Author Biography

Marshall Happer was one of the most influential leaders in professional tennis serving as Chief Operating Officer ("Commissioner") from 1981-1989 for the Men's Tennis Council, the first and last unified governing body of men's international tennis worldwide and as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Tennis Association from 1990 to 1995. A native of Kinston, North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, Happer practiced law in Raleigh, N.C. for many years prior to and after his MTC and USTA careers. Marshall Happer is the former head of the Men's International Professional Tennis Council.