Rubber Match

I’ll admit: I picked up *Rubber Match* expecting a lighthearted underdog tale, maybe something in the vein of *The Art of Fielding* with more ace serves. What I got instead was a grittier, funnier, and far more cynical beast—and I’m glad for it. Wally Wilson is the kind of protagonist who makes terrible decisions with such panache that you can’t look away. His ban from professional tennis isn’t just backstory; it’s a specter haunting every scene, from his half-hearted coaching sessions to his increasingly desperate schemes to claw back relevance. Cootsona writes tennis with the precision of a player (he is one), but the real match is Wally’s battle against his own worst instincts. The novel’s structure—toggling between his glory days and his current scrape—keeps the tension high, though I’ll confess the flashbacks occasionally disrupt the momentum just as a rally hits its stride. Greg Tremblay’s performance is the audiobook’s secret weapon. He doesn’t just *read* Wally; he *inhabits* him, from the way his voice cracks with exhaustion after a long day on the court to the bitter laugh he deploys when yet another of Wally’s plans implodes. His supporting cast is equally strong, particularly his turn as Wally’s long-suffering ex-wife, whose every sigh feels earned. My only critique? The production’s sound levels occasionally dip during tense whispers, forcing a volume adjustment mid-scene. And while the ending lands emotionally, it leans a touch too hard on ambiguity for my taste—some threads deserved a cleaner volley. Still, for an audiobook that balances humor, pathos, and the sheer absurdity of professional sports, *Rubber Match* is a winner. Just don’t expect to walk away feeling warm and fuzzy. Like a 250 mph serve, it’s designed to leave a mark.