Hall of Famer and Former U.S. No. 1 Charlie Pasarell
Launches Autobiography: “Serving First”

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, “Serving First” co-author Joel Drucker shares inside details about helping shape Pasarell’s gripping autobiography.

Once upon a time, well before there were computer rankings in tennis, what mattered most was how high ranked you were in your country. These were the factors that determined entry into tournaments all over the world, possible participation in team events and much more.

Nearly 60 years ago, a 23-year-old man from Puerto Rico finished 1967 as the No. 1-ranked American. Just a year earlier, he’d won the NCAA singles and doubles titles while competing for UCLA. He also played on five U.S. Davis Cup teams.

His name was Charlie Pasarell. Likely you’re most familiar with Pasarell as the creator and, for more than 30 years, tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open—the combined ATP-WTA event held in Indian Wells that’s unofficially considered tennis’ fifth major. He also co-founded both the ATP and, along with his best friend Arthur Ashe and Sheridan Snyder, the National Junior Tennis League (now known as National Junior Tennis and Learning). All of these achievements led to Charlie being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013.

In a quest to chronicle his journey, Charlie and I recently co-authored his autobiography. True to both Charlie’s biggest shot on the court and his spirit of generosity outside the lines, the book is titled “Serving First: Dreams Realized and Lessons Learned from Family, Friends, and a Life in Tennis,” and is published by New Chapter Press, publisher of dozens of tennis books, including “Pete Sampras: Greatness Revisited” by Hall of Famer Steve Flink and “On This Day in Roger Federer History” by New Chapter CEO Randy Walker.

“Serving First” is a story of character, purpose, and moments that leave a mark—from traveling to Vietnam during the war to time spent with Robert F. Kennedy to all the joy and sorrow of Charlie’s exceptionally close friendship with Arthur Ashe. Woven throughout are the words of wisdom from Charlie’s family and a great many lessons from a life grounded in love—for family, friendship, and the game that gave it all meaning.

“I’m very happy to have had the chance in this book to celebrate so many family members and friends who have all been part of a journey filled with exciting adventures,” said Charlie. “From Puerto Rico to UCLA to the growth of tennis in the Open era in the revolutionary ‘60s and into the 21^st century, I’m happy to have been a part of it so long and loved revisiting all of these incredible moments and wonderful people.”

“Serving First” was launched on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the iconic La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. Those in attendance included several Charlie’s fellow Hall of Famers—Rod Laver, Rosie Casals, Valerie Ziegenfuss. In line with Charlie’s commitment to community, the event was also a fundraiser for the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation (SCTAF), an organization that seeks to fund local programs, special projects, and events that increase access, availability, and participation of tennis for people of all ages, abilities, ethnicity, and economic backgrounds. The foundation also offers scholarships that support promising young junior players. Charlie is one of its board members.

Said Bill Kellogg, president of both the foundation and the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, “Charlie has always been a tremendous community builder.”

Four notable Americans contributed testimonials to the book—Jeanne Ashe and Hall of Famers Donald Dell, Stan Smith and Billie Jean King.

“Charlie Pasarell is a central figure in tennis history and a leader of the transitional generation who took tennis from amateur to professional,” said King. “He, and the other women and men from his era, paved the way for today’s superstars in tennis and beyond. He has a great story to tell and a special way to tell it.”

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This piece was originally published on Inside American Tennis.