The world's longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize is now in its 36th year. Although 36 is a cricket hat-trick of sixes, the winner of the 2024 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award was given to a tennis book for the first time in the award's history. Taking the accolade is former Irish tennis professional Conor Niland for his memoir The Racket: On Tour with Tennis's Golder Generation. Niland is the first author from the Republic of Ireland to win since 1990 and Paul Kimmage took the prize with Rough Ride: Behind the Wheel with a Pro Cyclist.

The Racket is an underdog story, an autobiography that describes Niland's career highs and lows on the ATP Tour. The Racket reveals the hardships of the majority of players on the tour who struggle to balance the books as they struggle to break through against the game's best. It lifts the lid on the perils of match-fixing and doping in tennis as well as sharing the light-hearted tales of Niland's seven years on the road. 

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year award rewards excellence in sports writing and was first awarded in 1989. Once again this year, the prize for winning the award will be £30,000 as well as a trophy. Authors that make the shortlist receive £3,000 and a leather-bound copy of their book. 

Speaking about the win to William Hill, Conor Niland said “I’m floating. I can’t believe it. I felt like the The Racket could have a chance, but to actually win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is just amazing."