By Liza Horan

Surely some of the amazing matches of this fortnight—like John Isner's five-setter over Andy Roddick or Melanie Oudin's three-setter of Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova—will provide some of the greatest memories of the 2009 U.S. Open. While nothing beats watching history being made in real time, there are several tennis books and films out that capture famous moments, bring to light the journey in hopes of becoming famous, and anecdotes that produced wisdom.

BOOKS

"The Education of a Tennis Player" by Rod Laver
Forty years ago today Rod Laver met Tony Roche on a rain-soaked grass court at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills to fight for the U.S. Open. The Aussie already had achieved the biggest challenge in the sport by winning all four majors to complete the Grand Slam. As "The Rocket" took the court, he was poised for history: He had swept the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Could he win another Grand Slam?
     "The court was greasy, but somehow slow, which favored me because Tony's slice didn't take," Laver writes. "Movement was tough, and this was a break for me because Tony decided not to put on spikes. He figured his strained thigh muscles would be jarred by the quick stops you make in spikes, possibly bringing on a cramp."
     Laver outlasted Roche in four sets to make history with a second Grand Slam.
     "I wonder when another Grand Slammer will appear and join me," he says. "I look forward to it, and will welcome whoever it is just as Don Budge welcomed me in 1962. I was glad to see Steffi Graf as the latest in 1988. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal seem to have the best chance, along with Serena Williams. I wish them success."
     The new edition of Laver's memoir, originally published in 1971, has been expanded with five new chapters that includes a look back on the 40th anniversary of the Aussie's second Grand Slam coup, which is today. Bud Collins co-wrote selections in the new edition.
For sale on NewChapterPressMedia.com .

"Little Pancho: The Life of Tennis Legend Pancho Segura" by Caroline Seebohm
This the fascinating story of how an "undersized and undernourished" kid from Ecuador rose from ball boy duties to win a record three NCAA championships, turn pro and then quit the tour to become a coach to stars like Lauren Bacall, Charlton Heston and Barbara Streisand at the Beverly Hills Country Club. This book, which Segura promoted with a signing at the U.S. Open Book Store last Friday, coincides with his 25th anniversary induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
For sale at http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/product/Little-Pancho,674080.aspx

"Never Make the First Offer" by Donald Dell
Dell, who became Arthur Ashe's agent on a handshake and went on to found ProServ, penned this business-smarts book full of tennis anecdotes. It is at once entertaining, educational and inspirational (click for quick review). The pioneer of player management was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this summer and now is on a book signing tour. He hit the U.S. Open Book Store and the media center dining room this week, and is scheduled to appear at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 23.
For sale on this Amazon.com page.

"A Tennis Love Story" By Sue Huffman Stanley
This a true love story about two tennis players, written by a self-described "60-year-old grannie," Sue Stanley. She recounts the tennis thread throughout her life, from meeting her first love, building their life and family together, then facing a catastrophe and living through it. Related to the uplifting story, 36th Annual Kenneth Huffman Tennis Tournament, which raises funds for a local college tennis player's education, took place this past weekend in Pikeville, Ky. 
For sale at on this BN.com page.

FILMS
DVDs are now available for two junior tennis documentaries.

"Unstrung," on which Jim Courier served as an executive producer, chronicles the road of six high-ranked teenagers including Sam Querrey and Donald Young. This DVD packs bonus interviews with Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Courier, who signed copies of the DVD at the U.S. Open Book Store last Saturday.
For sale on www.UnstrungMovie.com.

"50,000 Balls" follows four 10-year-old ranked boys on the road to the national championships. A modified version of the award-winning film was aired on ESPN2 in July, and the DVD version contains the full presentation and bonus material of top coaches discussing junior development.
For sale on www.50kBalls.com.