Federer and Me: A Story of Obsession by William SkidelskyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I suppose it is not fair to read a book written by an obsessive and then expect it to be totally fair and balanced. Having said that, Skidelsky's book is not without merit. The strongest portions are the ones where he discusses the advancement of the game, expertly analyses the Federer forehand and compares the same with other (older and newer) forehands. However, the ground is slightly shakier when Skidelsky talks about his own life, narrating how he lost his virginity (?) and attempts to amuse us with his experience in a restroom in Halle. Think Bill Bryson-lite. I finished the book feeling quite sorry for the author's then girlfriend who became his wife. His description of the amazingly recuperative powers of Federer’s game to allow them to heal after a particularly painful personal episode raises many questions, best answered by a therapist. Still, perhaps that is the price of being married to a person who has a self-proclaimed obsession. The descriptions of Nadal are predictably one-eyed, undoubtedly lapped up by Fedheads everywhere, but not particularly original or inventive. What has always amused me is how fragile Federer's fans are, given his success. Instead of the granite confidence of other sports fans, the Federer fan is always insecure - far more than needed, it seems. Skidelsky does the Swiss no favours by drawing a line to him from Graeme Hick - the Zimbabwean's most ardent fans would balk at that. Near the end of the book, Skidelsky comments on the unevenness of his relationship with Federer (as must be with almost all fans and their idols). Like the Ethan Hawke character in Before Sunset, maybe this book was written with that subliminal motive or getting the attention of the Swiss player. And he may yet be rewarded. A good read for Federer fans, uneven for tennis fans.
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