Last Champion: The Life of Fred Perry

by Jon Henderson

'The first clear-eyed account of an extraordinary life' - "Independent on Sunday". Wimbledon champion three times in the 1930s, Fred Perry is the finest tennis player that Britain has ever produced. Less well known is that Perry came from an unprivileged background and found himself - despite his supreme talent - an outsider in a sport that looked down on the advancement of the under-classes. Not afraid to ruffle a few establishment feathers, Perry discarded his hallowed amateur status in 1936 and turned professional. He compounded this perceived sin by taking out US citizenship when the Second World War broke out. He embraced his new country wholeheartedly. From Hollywood to Florida, Perry led a scandalous private life, marrying four times and charming himself into the beds of numerous Hollywood starlets and beautiful models along the way. "The Last Champion" is the first biography of Fred Perry. Through extensive research and revealing interviews, Jon Henderson, tennis correspondent of "The Observer", brilliantly tells the remarkable story of this remarkable man.

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2009

Reviews

[Debby Binns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this was/is the first biography of Fred Perry. He wrote two autobiographies, but Jon Henderson's research and refusal to take Perry's word for anything without triple-checking has produced the first clear-eyed account of his extraordinary life. It was fascinating and hugely enjoyable. Its a 4.5* rating from me!

[Joredos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed biography of Fred Perry`s life.Story for sportsman,bohemian,gentleman and everything that Perry was.