Conor Niland, a former Irish tennis professional, has made history as the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 Winner, with his gripping memoir The Racket: On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation.
This marks a first for tennis literature in the prize’s illustrious 35-year history and makes Niland the first Irish winner since Paul Kimmage in 1990.
But Niland’s win is just the headline of an exceptional shortlist, each finalist delivering a unique perspective on the trials, triumphs, and complexities of life in sport.
A Win for the Underdogs and Tennis Lovers
Conor Niland’s The Racket pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to hustle on the ATP Tour. It’s not just about the glitz and the glory we often see; this book dives into the grittier bits—how players outside the spotlight juggle the numbers and tackle the emotional grind.
Niland doesn’t shy away from the darker bits either, shedding light on the shadier aspects like doping and match-fixing.
But it’s not all tough going; he’s sprinkled in plenty of chucklesome tales from his travels. His story is a testament to hanging tough and finding a way to laugh, no matter the odds. A proper tribute to the spirit of the underdog.
Chair of the judging panel, Alyson Rudd, called the book “astonishing,” adding: “We are delighted to present Conor Niland with the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2024 for his astonishing autobiography, The Racket.
“This prize seeks to highlight the best in sports writing and there is no doubting the fact that Conor’s work is of the highest calibre, offering a fascinating insight into his career as a tennis professional.
“The book brings the reader into the world of elite sport, but also emphasises the relatable underdog story of an everyman fighting against the odds to fulfil their dreams.
“The panel wishes to praise all six nominated authors and another year of stunning releases, showcasing the rich diversity of perspectives and experiences.”
Niland himself seemed as surprised as anyone by the win: “I accept this award with a lot of humility. The other shortlisted books are incredible stories so I feel very fortunate to have won and so grateful.
“This is all pretty improbable. My brother told me I would win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award when he read this last Christmas, I took that with a pretty large pinch of salt, but he was right. It’s amazing.
“The pro tennis tour is a little bit of a misunderstood sport, we were able to show what the world is really like, for the guys a little bit further down the rankings.”
A Diverse and Compelling Shortlist
This year’s shortlist showcased the diversity of modern sports writing, celebrating stories that extend well beyond the playing field.
- Dame Kelly Holmes, double Olympic champion, was shortlisted for her memoir Unique, which chronicles her journey from a military career to Olympic glory while navigating the emotional toll of keeping her sexuality private until her public coming out at 52. It’s a powerful story of courage and resilience that connects deeply with readers.
- Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell offered a striking narrative with These Heavy Black Bones, recounting her experiences as the first Black woman to represent Great Britain in swimming. Her story is one of grit, triumph, and breaking barriers in a sport often marked by exclusivity.
- Khalida Popal, co-founder of the Afghan women’s football team, delivered My Beautiful Sisters, a harrowing yet hopeful account of fighting for women’s rights in Afghan sports amidst the Taliban’s resurgence.
- David Peace’s Munichs takes readers back to the months following Manchester United’s 1958 Munich air disaster, vividly portraying the club’s recovery and resilience in the face of tragedy.
- The final entry was When I Passed The Statue Of Liberty I Became Black, a posthumous memoir from Harry Edward, Britain’s first Black Olympic medallist, which spans his journey across the civil rights era in Britain and the U.S.
A Ceremony That Celebrates the Power of Sports Literature
The winner was announced at a central London ceremony, where Niland was awarded the £30,000 prize and joined an illustrious list of past winners, including Michael Holding, Jeremy Wilson, and Lauren Fleshman.
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, established in 1989, is the world’s longest-running and most prestigious sports literary prize.
Year after year, it highlights the extraordinary stories that define the human spirit in the world of sports.
Niland’s The Racket now takes its place in this pantheon, a testament to the power of storytelling in sport—not just about winning, but about the sheer will to compete.