Julie Heldman Tennis Royalty Writes Her Memoirs

DRIVEN: A Daughter’s Odyssey is a fascinating memoir by 1970s world-class tennis star Julie Heldman.

 

Julie came from tennis royalty. Her father was a former U.S. junior tennis champion and her mother, Gladys, engineered the women’s tennis revolution and created and published World Tennis magazine. Gladys was widely admired by the tennis world, yet no one knew the family’s hidden secret, that at home she was often cruel and demeaning to Julie.

 

For the first time, Julie reveals her personal success stories and failures, the dark secrets of her past, and how they all formed the person she is today.

 

Julie’s early mistreatment drove her to succeed without regard to the cost. Throughout her storied career, she was a volatile and gutsy competitor, who gained titles at 22 top-level tournaments, won gold, silver and bronze medals in the Mexico City Olympics, won gold medals in the Maccabiah Games, and was ranked number two in the United States and number five in the world. She had wins over all the great stars of her era, including Billie Jean King, Margaret Court, Chris Evert, and Martina Navratilova.

 

The memoir follows her as she struggles with the trauma of child abuse; succeeds at broadcasting, law, and business; breaks out of her mother’s shadow; and is finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

 

Driven is a highly readable insider’s account of a pivotal time in women’s tennis history; an in-depth look at Gladys’s complex character; and the revealing story of Julie’s interior journey, both on and off the court.

 

And here’s where to buy it:

Available on Amazon.com in paperback and eBook: www.amazon.com/dp/B07GDVS53N

 

Editors Note: we’ve read Julie’s book. First time ever on an iPhone. But it was a compelling read. Julie is a remarkable woman. We were thrilled she gave Us a preview over the past year or as chapters were being written. Julie’s mind is fascinating, her brilliance is beyond comprehension. She met with Us just prior to the start of FRENCH OPEN (Roland Garros). Julie said I’ll have my book ready for sale at this year’s U.S.OPEN TENNIS Championships. And she DID IT! It’s for sale on AMAZON. And it will be for sale at the U.S.OPEN Bookstore! 

“Open Tennis” is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Thank you JULIE HELDMAN for sharing such a personal and painful journey. We say. Buy this book. It’s a classic for any tennis fan!

GLADYS Heldman made the Ladies U.S. Open a world class event. She changed women’s sports forever. She created what is today’s WTA. She moved mountains in tennis for decades. World Tennis magazine (monthly) was first published in 1953? 52? Sports Illustrated wasn’t launched till 1954. (LJ)

 

Sharing a recent review • Steve Flink has written a fabulous review of the book:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/11/julie-heldmans-new-book-mandatory-reading/78100/