Conor Niland: The Racket and the reality of life as a tennis pro

Former tennis player Conor Niland talks through his William Hill Sports Book of the Year-winning memoir The Racket – a fond yet bracing account of life just outside the game’s global elite.

The one-time world number 129 explains why he decided to tell the story of his career, and how it became emblematic of the grinding experiences of his peers on the Futures and Challenger tours.

He also explores the sports that served as touchstones for the book, his creative partnership with Irish journalist Gavin Cooney, and ideas about the athlete voice.

Outlines is a 26 Forty original and is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

Instagram: @outlines_podcast
Threads: @outlines_podcast
Bluesky: @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
TikTok: @outlines.podcast

Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope