The Tennis Partner

Abraham Verghese

September 1, 2011

The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese is a powerful and inspiring story of a doctor and his patient's learning to heal mind and body through the sport of tennis. Through the alternating perspectives of Dr. Verghese and his tennis partner, David Smith, the story follows their paths as they each grapple with personal demons and search for healing through an unlikely friendship.The two men form a unique bond over their mutual love for tennis, and together they discover how sport can provide a common ground for understanding and collaborative healing. David’s battle with drug abuse and the lingering impact it has on his life lends a poignant heaviness to the story. Dr. Verghese himself struggles with the aftermath of his own traumatic medical malpractice days and the story of his and David’s unlikely friendship is as powerful as it is uplifting.The Tennis Partner offers a thoughtful study of the healing power of no-strings friendship, while acknowledging the impact of trauma and addiction on one’s life. Driven by powerful emotions and human observation, Verghese’s writing is both vivid and compassionate. Through the game of tennis and an unlikely bond, two volatile characters find redemption and understanding in an unexpected way and, in the end, discover the power of friendship and heartfelt healing.