Home › Best of 2026 › The Open Era
Bestseller Critically Recognized
  • The Open Era by Edward Schmit book cover
  • The Open Era by Edward Schmit book cover
1 2

The Open Era

by Edward Schmit

Be the first to review this book

A tennis rivalry under the spotlight

$19.16 USD
$31.94 USD $19.16 USD
Save 40%

Paperback New

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

Awards & Recognition

  • Bestseller

    Instant USA Today bestseller

  • Critical praise

    Praised by Town & Country as “charming, funny, and big-hearted”

    Town & Country praises the book as charming, funny, and big-hearted, comparing it to Heated Rivalry for the tenn...

AlbakiReads Editorial

A tennis rivalry under the spotlight

Austin Hardy’s first Grand Slam appearance brings a new level of public attention: he is the first openly gay man to compete in the tournament. The spotlight coincides with a breaking point in his anxiety disorder and an unexpected connection with Diego Cruz, a top-ranked professional rival. Their off-court friendship, flirtation, and mixed signals unfold alongside the pressure of an approaching showdown at the US Open. The romance links private uncertainty with the public stakes of professional tennis, placing questions of visibility, attraction, and competition in the same frame. The tournament provides a defined setting for Austin’s choice between the demands of the game and the possibility of a relationship with Diego.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in sports romance set in professional tennis.
  • Readers looking for a romance involving queer visibility and an openly gay lead.
  • Readers interested in stories that include anxiety and the pressures of public attention.

Themes

Queer visibilityProfessional tennisRivalry and romanceAnxiety and public scrutiny

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

"Heated Rivalry for the tennis set...charming, funny, and big-hearted."--Town & Country
"[A] debut romance novel that will capture your heart."--Cosmopolitan

Love evens the score between two tennis players in this stunning debut romance.

Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school and it's never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal, with headlines to prove it.

Unprepared for this new spotlight, Austin's anxiety disorder hits a breaking point, and he trips and falls at practice. Right next to the very attractive, very talented, and probably straight Diego Cruz, ranked second in the world.

The two professional rivals start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and looming showdown, Austin is thrown further off his game by Diego.

With the eyes of the world on Austin, the weight of history on his shoulders, and Diego across the net, he must decide whether love means nothing or if it means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.
Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

You may also like

View all