2022
WISE Score
A masterclass in grit and 'ice-in-the-veins' competitiveness from a tennis icon who doesn't care if you like her or not.
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If your kid thinks sports is all about vibes and 'having fun,' this is the reality check they need. Sharapova is clinical, driven, and unapologetic.
It’s a great read for the competitive athlete in your house, but it’s not exactly a 'fun' weekend book for a casual reader. It’s a study in intensity.
Best for teens (13+) who are either tennis-obsessed or need a window into what it actually takes to be world-class. It’s a bit dense for younger kids who might find the business and legal talk boring.
It models extreme discipline and a singular focus on excellence. While it isn't 'cuddly'—Sharapova is famously icy—it’s a clean, professional look at a life built on hard work rather than luck.
It’s a standard non-fiction memoir. The creativity here is in the strategic thinking on the court, not in the prose or world-building.
As a book, it's very safe. It deals with professional scandals and the pressures of elite sports, but there's nothing here that would shock a teenager.
Excellent for teaching grit, the immigrant experience, and how to handle high-stakes failure. It’s a masterclass in mental toughness.
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