Austin Sinclair and Jack Winston grew up together on the poor side of town-one quiet sober and tenacious; the other a reckless charmer always seeking a challenge. And they shared a love for tennis that forged an unlikely bond-and incited a fierce rivalry-between them. Then adult life took them in different directions. Now they are grown men - mature, accomplished and middle-aged. And a chance reunion in a crowded restaurant results in a friendly, fateful invitation to compete once again at Austin's exclusive tennis club. But from the first serve on an impeccable clay court to the final, breathless point of a truly unforgettable match, unresolved resentments and tensions will determine the pace of the play. For every lob and backhand, every point surrendered or won, brings with it serious questions about the past and the choices made. With each set comes potentially explosive revelations about love, money and the nature of competition.