It’s not uncommon for former athletes to pen their memoirs. Few have a deep impact on the reader and usually lack the punch and the guts as it usually ghostwritten. The Moonballer, written by the first female professional tennis player from India, Nirupama Vaidyanathan, is a book that is compelling enough to engage anyone, whether a teenager or an adult, male or female. It talks about parental support, passion for the sport, training and the balance with personal life. Add the Indian elements and the frequent travel to the mix and there are many interesting anecdotes that make this book a one sitting read. “I realized that I had a lot of stories to tell. The attempt is to inspire the youngsters to the idea that where there is a will, there is a way,” says Nirupama.

(Right): Pro tennis player and author of “The Moonballer” Nirupama Vaidyanathan.

The Moonballer covers the adversity faced by athletes, particularly women, in India. Without the support of the society, the state and the national tennis associations, Nirupama broke all barriers to become the first Indian woman to win a round in a Grand Slam at the Australian Open 1998.

Nirupama was never in the limelight like Sania Mirza, but in her own quiet way, she lay down the path for professional tennis for women in India.  She embarked on this journey where no Indian woman had ventured into with grit and determination.

This story unfolds in the conservative South Indian town of Coimbatore. Born into a normal middle class family, going to school, procuring an engineering or medical degree was the norm and girls were just encouraged into music and dance besides studies. Her first coach was her father K.S. Vaidyanathan, who played Ranji Trophy (State) level cricket, but was always a victim of the politics that surrounded the sport. He chose tennis for his kids to ensure his kids never got shortchanged if they had talent. He was himself self-taught in tennis, but he instilled the motto “Eat, sleep and breathe tennis” into Niru even when she was a little girl. While other families were talking about going to the most elite engineering or medical schools, the Vaidyanathans were talking about Wimbledon, Davis Cup and Fed Cup.

From train travels in India to life on the junior circuit, the book covers a wide array of topics . Nirupama became the youngest National Women’s Champion at 14 years of age. That was the start of her ascent to international levels of competition starting from junior tournaments to playing Wimbledon and other Grand Slam events. At a time when corporate sponsors for the sport and the advent of media coverage were nonexistent, she talks about how her father when approaching a friend for sponsorships was told “She is someone else’s property. Why do spend and waste so much money on her?” Even the president of the All India Tennis Association refused to help her and even asked her to get married!

Nirupama’s autobiography tears through the glamorous exteriors of pro women’s tour to present the reality that is not visible to the outside world. It’s a book that every aspiring sportsperson must read, especially budding hopefuls; it’s a book that every family that sees a potential Sharapova or Serena in their child must read to get a reality check.

The Moonballer takes us to the training grounds of Luxembourg and the U.S. where Nirupama trained with different coaches. Some of her experiences with visa and travel are quite harrowing as an 18-year-old in Europe.  She writes “Loneliness was my constant companion,” which paints a very realistic picture of the lower levels of international pro circuit.

The sense of humor in the book is just as appealing when she talks about finishing her school exams. An excerpt from the book: “I had spent so much time on the tennis court, that I barely knew the basics of accountancy and economics. I had three months to cram the entire syllabus of two years. I remember my accountancy tutor telling my mother on the first day, ‘I guarantee your daughter will get 100 percent.’ A week later, he said, ‘80 percent is ensured.’ By the time my exams came, he told my mother, ‘She will surely pass,’ so my mom was mighty worried with the trend, to say the least.”

The Moonballer also sheds light on the culture shock experienced by the athlete whenever she goes to a foreign land. Her travels by planes, trains and automobiles are well documented in the book. Even though Nirupama was offered full scholarships to top colleges in the U.S., she chose to follow her dream of playing pro tennis.

Though it is likely to be perceived to be a hard-hitting book that exposes people and their self-centered approach, Nirupama says that she had only tried to tell the facts. There is no mincing of words when it comes to exposing the lack of system in India and the need for a much better system in place. Her comeback to play in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2010 Asian Games, as a 33-year-old mother, is well documented. The training regimen, support, taking care of her daughter and playing for India after a seven-year hiatus is quite an inspirational chapter to read.

Nirupama runs a tennis academy in Santa Clara, Calif., with her brother called Nirus Tennis Academy and is working on her next book “Parenting a Wimbledon Champ” to benefit all the parents who would like guidance to pro tennis.

Nirupama Vaidyanathan, author of The Moonballer, was the first Indian woman ever to win a round at a Grand Slam (Australian Open 1998) and became the first mother to play for India at the 2010 Commonwealth and Asian Games. Some of her major accomplishments include, a bronze medal at Asian Games 1998 partnering Mahesh Bhupathi; India’s number one tennis player from 1991-2001; holding the record for most singles victories for India in Fed Cup, women’s equivalent to Davis Cup; triple gold medalist at SAG Games Chennai 1995; WTA ranking of 132; commentator for Star Sports for Wimbleon, U.S. Open and Chennai Open; and a USPTR top certified coach.

The Moonballer gives a perspective for any child or parent of what it takes to be an athlete and the sacrifices that come along with it.

The book is available on Amazon.com, readers learn more at www.themoonballer.com.