Roscoe Tanner was ranked the No. 4 tennis player in the world, but after his retirement his life crumbled under the weight of personal destruction that eventually led to being extradited from Germany to serve a 10-month prison sentence before he realized he had to change his life or risk losing it.

Roscoe Tanner was one of professional tennis's strongest left-handed players during his years on the men's professional circuit from 1972 to 1984. He won a Grand Slam singles championship at the Australian Open in 1977. After his professional career ended, he played briefly on the senior tour before becoming a tennis instructor. Mike Yorkey has authored, coauthored, or collaborated on 50 books, including Holding Serve by Michael Chang; In His Court by Betsy Nagelsen McCormack; and Up, Up, and Away with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. He lives in the San Diego area. Stan Smith is a former professional tennis player and a two-time Grand Slam singles champion.