I know very little about tennis in general and even less about the history of women in the sport. The movie King Richard made me want to learn more so I was really excited to read this. It's a gorgeous book full of beautiful photos, which will make it accessible to even younger and older readers alike. It's full of interesting and important information and I feel like I learned so much. It's inspired me to get out there and play tennis!

What a great tribute to women's tennis.

I enjoyed reading about each decade and the changes it brought to tennis, especially in regards to women.

The photos were my favorite part. It brought back so many memories of watching tennis with my dad so many years ago.

A good read for any tennis fan. The combination of history and photos would make it a great gift for the woman tennis fan in your life.

Thanks to netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advance copy.

We’ve all heard of Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Naomi Osaka, and even Billy Jean King who authored this book. But have you heard of Althea Gibson, Mandy Sutton Bundy, Ora Washington, or Margaret Smith Court? All of these women and many more are instrumental in the evolution of tennis and women in sport.

Billy Jean King and Cynthia Starr write about the evolution of the game and all those who were involved in making it the sport it is today. You also learn how tennis changed pro sport for women in general. The book brings you all the way back to the origins, starting in 1874, to current day post covid. You learn how the game evolve including: strategy, equipment, clothing, amateur to pro, racial injustice and the ongoing fight to equal pay.

The book put it best with “It is the story of the long, difficult read women travelled to achieve racial, gender, and financial equity in sport”.


I really enjoyed this one. I am a huge fan of sports and have always cheered on Canadians at all events and bing a big fan of Andy Murray. If you are interested in sport in general, especially women in sport, this is a must read. I literally couldn’t put it down. It would make the perfect coffee table book! I give it a 4/5.

Back in 1988, Billie Jean King and co-author Cynthia Star wrote We Have Come a Long Way: The Story of Women's Tennis. This terrific telling of the history of women's tennis was in need of an update. Fans of the game will surely enjoy: Trailblazers: The Unmatched Story of Women's Tennis.

As someone who plays tennis, loves watching tennis and is also a collector of tennis antiques and memorabilia, this book was a real treat. It goes back to the sport's earliest days and the incredible women who made their mark on tennis. The book begins in 1884. The manner in which the game was played, combined with the clothing and equipment, might surprise readers but the accomplishments of the women in the earliest days of tennis deserve much credit for paving the way for the modern game.

All the major women tennis players throughout history are mentioned. Profiles of the leading players detail their interesting backgrounds in addition to their accomplishments. Some, like Billie Jean King, were the true trailblazers, fighting for and achieving equality in many areas of the sport and beyond. The book is fully up to date featuring the current stars of tennis.

This is one well-researched, entertaining book. You're sure to learn things you never knew before. And the many photos are great.

I really enjoyed this book. I was never much for sports as a kid, but Tennis was the exception. Getting to read about the history of women’s Tennis was a great experience and I’m amazed by how much I never knew. I loved the player spotlights. The only thing challenging for me was the ereader format - the text was small and required a lot of zooming in and out.

As a female tennis player, I so enjoyed reading the stories, that ground the history of women in the sport. Well written, with many engaging pictures.

Can you imagine playing tennis in a corset? Me, either.

For fans of tennis I highly recommend this book. Billie Jean King walks us through women’s tennis over the years. Can you imagine playing with a wooden handle in the sun??

Over 255 pictures this will be an incredible book to read and enjoy in your home. I’ve already preordered.

Thank you, Andrews McMeel Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

This compilation is such an honour to have and read! It’s totally inspirational seeing all the women tennis players since the very beginning! An amazing book with the rarest pictures and a world of information so rich that you will be amazed just thinking how far women have made it big in sports! Authors, the publishing team deserve all the praise for all the efforts put in in bringing out this precious book!

Writer Cynthia Starr teams up with tennis great Billie Jean King to create this amazing history of women in tennis. Trailblazers in the sport, this talks about women playing tennis in corsets and petticoats when they were first involved in the sport to current greats such as Venus and Serena Williams. The different eras of women's tennis are shown as the sport evolved throughout the decades. There is even a spotlight on Billie Jean King herself. It's an amazing compilation of stories and history and should be an inspiration to all.

An absolutely gorgeous book on the history of Women’s tennis. The clean and bold graphic design pairs beautifully with historic photography to create a stunning visual treat. The book dives into the history and is filled with insights into the female players and the sport. I really enjoyed the book and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it or to give it as a gift.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review. It was a treat to read!