The Last Champion

Jan 7, 2025 3:41 PM

Author:Jon Henderson

The Last Champion

Discover the ultimate read for any tennis fan.

'The first clear-eyed account of an extraordinary life' Independent on Sunday

Wimbledon champion three times in the 1930s, Fred Perry is the finest tennis player that Britain has ever produced. Less well known is that Perry came from an unprivileged background and found himself - despite his supreme talent - an outsider in a sport that looked down on the advancement of the under-classes.

Not afraid to ruffle a few establishment feathers, Perry discarded his hallowed amateur status in 1936 and turned professional. He compounded this perceived sin by taking out US citizenship when the Second World War broke out. He embraced his new country wholeheartedly. From Hollywood to Florida, Perry led a scandalous private life, marrying four times and charming himself into the beds of numerous Hollywood starlets and beautiful models along the way.

The Last Champion is the first biography of Fred Perry. Through extensive research and revealing interviews, Jon Henderson, tennis correspondent of the Observer, brilliantly tells the remarkable story of this remarkable man.

Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.

Reviews

A compelling tome, one that traces an extraordinary life

—— The Times

A compelling portrait of a great sportsman

—— Max Davidson , Mail on Sunday

The first clear-eyed account of an extraordinary life. Book of the Week

—— Simon Redfern , Independent on Sunday

A great story, far meatier than the average sporting biography. Henderson has researched it well, tells it nicely and weighs up conflicting evidence wisely

—— Matthew Engel , Financial Times

Evocative

—— Daily Mail

Enthralling

—— Sunday Express

Book of the Week

—— Radio 4

The Last Champion ... is worth reading, not just for the portrait of the unstoppable Fred but for the easy-flowing manner in which Jon Henderson, the doyen of tennis correspondents, evokes the glamour of the sporting 1930s

—— Ferdinand Mount , Times Literary Supplement

Brilliantly retold

—— Mark Perryman , Socialist Unity

If you haven't bought Tom English's book about the 1990 match - The Grudge - then do yourself a favour and get it now. It's terrific

—— Alex Massie , Spectator

Tom English's excellent book, The Grudge, revisits an occasion when sport and politics and ancient rivalry came together

—— Chris Foy , Daily Mail

True tales: great stuff

—— Frank Keating , The Guardian

Shudderingly good ... English has a rare talent for getting to the core of a person

—— Rugby World

Thatcherite politics and rugby come crashing into contact in this rich and textured account

—— i

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