I Read a Tennis Book (and I Don’t Like Tennis)
I don’t like tennis. I don’t dislike it either. I’m simply neutral. If you put a match on TV, I wouldn’t change the channel, but I’m not sure how much of it I’d actually watch. Tennis exists in my world the way zookeeping exists. I am glad someone is doing it, but that someone is not me.
So when I was hired on UpWork to beta-read a tennis-themed motivational book, I had two reactions. First, confusion. There are people who actually want to read about tennis? Second, curiosity. Could I be objective about a book on a subject I don’t care about?
The answer was yes. And the process taught me something about writing and editing that has nothing to do with sports.
The Job Is Not to Love the Topic
A good editor does not need to love the subject matter. They need to love clarity.
I don’t care about tennis. But I do care about whether a sentence makes sense. I care about whether a paragraph flows. I care about whether the author's voice comes through without being buried in awkward phrasing.
The tennis book had a strong message about perseverance, discipline, and showing up even when you are losing. Those are universal themes. You don’t need to know the difference between a backhand and a forehand to recognize a good sentence about resilience.
What I Looked For Instead
I ignored the tennis jargon when I didn’t understand it. I trusted that the author and future readers would know their stuff. What I focused on was structure, pacing, tone, and repetition.
Did the chapter open with a hook or a slow walk-up? Did the author explain the same concept three times in slightly different ways? Did the sentences vary in length, or did they all march along at the same dull pace?
None of those questions requires knowledge of tennis, but they do require careful attention.
The Takeaway for You
When you hire a writer or editor, you don’t need someone who already knows your industry inside and out. You need someone who knows how to ask good questions, spot weak sentences, and respect your voice.
I didn’t learn anything about tennis from that book. But I did help make it clearer, tighter, and more readable, and that was the job.
And honestly? I might watch a match now. Maybe.
