Own the Arena, Katrina M. Adams
Own the Arena, Katrina M. Adams
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Own the Arena
Getting Ahead, Making a Difference, and Succeeding as the Only One

Author: Katrina M. Adams

Narrator: Carolyn Smith

Unabridged: 8 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Amistad

Published: 02/23/2021


Synopsis

From the former President and CEO of the United States Tennis Association—the first black woman and youngest person ever to hold the position—comes a behind-the-scenes look at the leadership skills involved in hosting the U.S. Open, the largest and most lucrative sports event in the world—lessons that can be applied across business and to any life challenge.One of professional tennis’s Grand Slam Tournaments, the U.S. Open has been described as a fourteen-day Superbowl. This single tennis championship, held annually in New York City, attracts top professionals from around the globe, generates more money than any other sporting event—or any other sport over an entire season—and attracts more than 700,000 attendees and millions of television viewers. 
In Own the Arena, Katrina Adams offers a privileged, singular inside look at this sensational global event, while elaborating on what makes tennis the only sport of a lifetime. She opens with the women’s 2018 championship match between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams that ended in boos. This was Adams’s last year as president and the whole world was watching. How would she respond? How should the press be handled? What needs to be said to Osaka? Serena? What does this break from decorum mean for the Open and the sport?
As Adams shares a wealth of stories from her career and personal life, as well as insights from top tennis professionals, she provides invaluable information on meeting life’s tests both on the tennis court and off. Own the Arena offers fresh perspectives on having presence, being remembered, directing a conversation, and moving boldly in spaces where “you are the only one.” It also covers good sportsmanship—treating others with respect and by being inclusive and open to diverse perspectives. Tennis is said to be 90 percent mental; this book shows how to take the elements of mental fortitude and use them to achieve greatness. By embracing and expressing one’s inner grace and humanity, Adams shows, you can own the arena.

About Katrina M. Adams

Katrina Adams competed for twelve years on the World Tennis Association tour, winning twenty career doubles titles and reaching the quarterfinals or better in doubles at all four Grand Slam Tournaments. She also spearheaded outreach to underserved communities of color and was named the chairman of the Gender Equality in Tennis Committee in 2018. Adweek and Forbes named her one of the “Most Powerful Women in Sports” and she was featured in Ebony Magazine’s “Power 100” list. She is also the executive director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program. She lives in White Plains, New York.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Zibby on March 02, 2021

This book is not really a biography, autobiography, or memoir. It really about using the life skills tennis provided the author—from the beginning of her career at age six through today. Tennis prepared her for a lot of different scenarios and situations. I love how the author talked about how she d......more

Goodreads review by Dr. T. on March 28, 2024

This book gives you front seat to the world of tennis and the bureaucracy that we would normally not be privy to. It is interesting and slightly controversial with its undertones of racism, bias, class, and misogyny. An interesting read, nonetheless.......more

Goodreads review by Monique on March 11, 2021

Excellent Read especially for the Sports Management professional. It gives you a glimpse of Tennis Operations and considerations for planning sports events, entertaining VIP guests, and how to graciously correct playing the wrong country's national anthem. I enjoyed it.......more

Goodreads review by Christina on June 19, 2021

Listened to this on my way to work via Audible. Inspiring and I learned a lot about the different tennis associations. I loved her 12 match points for ways to thrive: own the table; own your legacy..........more

Goodreads review by Larisha on February 01, 2022

This is a book for tennis fans and anyone looking to up their game in business and life!......more