Book Review: In Your Court by Kit Haley

Official Synopsis: Australian Matteo Russo is the first and only openly gay tennis pro. Once a brilliant junior, he was slated for a bright future – until a freak accident derailed his career. Now, he’s fed up, he’s struggling to qualify for tournaments, and he’s not sure he can afford dinner tonight.

After losing to his old rival—the rich, arrogant, American superstar Miles Callahan—Mat throws the man’s privilege in his face and sets him a challenge – one he’s sure Miles would never accept. But he does. Determined to prove he’s earned his success, Miles travels to Wimbledon on a tight budget – no support team, no coach, no fancy hotel. And now the American needs a hitting partner, and someone to explain laundromats, and what started as a dare soon becomes a searing off-court fling.

Mat should be focusing on his career, not falling for a glamorous star. But Miles believes in his game in a way Mat hasn’t for a long time, and is fast becoming everything he’s ever wanted. Only… love and tennis just don’t mix, because one day soon they’ll have to face each other on the court.

And in tennis, someone always has to lose.

Matteo Russo was meant to have a great tennis career, everything thought he would be the next big thing, but when an accident left him bruised and broken he wasn't sure he'd get on the court again. Now he is paying his own way to tournaments, traveling without a team and surviving on rice and beans, hoping for the chance to be even half the player he once was. Mat is also the only out tennis player and has found himself called 'the gay tennis player' on more than one occasion. It seems like the media cares more about who he sleeps with than how he's playing at this point and it is starting to get old. When he calls out his rival, Miles Callahan, on his privilege and having a whole team behind him, he is surprised when Miles ends up staying in the shitty apartment across the hall...alone, right before Wimbledon.

Mat and Miles have been competitors since they were kids, where Mat used to come out on top. Now Miles feels like playing against a brick wall, always eliminating him from his chances at more than a first or second round. Miles is now determined to show Mat, and himself that he earned where he is at. Matteo isn't sure how to feel about the close proximity he finds himself in with Miles, who keeps asking to come over and hangout. After sharing dinner while watching old matches, Miles kisses Mat, before quickly leaving and causing Mat even more confusion.

As they start to explore the non-rival feelings they have for each other, they also find themselves having to hide from the public eye, as no one knows Miles is gay and he isn't ready for that yet. But Mat and Miles fall hard and fast for each other, making it harder and harder to hide their feelings, especially when people start to notice they are hanging out a lot more. When they start hitting against each other in preparation for Wimbledon, Miles is determined to show Mat that maybe the player he was isn't too far away. Pushing Mat to show him that if he had a new coach and a bit more belief in himself he would be a real competitor. At the same time, Miles is noticing that without his highly paid team he is more relaxed, even though everyone he knows is breathing down his neck about his decision to try this on his own. They begin to move through the rest of the tennis season, competing and hiding their feelings for each other, they also have to come to terms with what it would mean to play each other.

This book definitely has similar vibes to Heated Rivalry, with the same amount of spice and hiding while also having the players push each other when on the court. At times, I did find Miles a bit annoying, he liked to just not communicate while knowing Mat definitely has some anxiety and panic, which would make everything spiral for a bit. Overall, this story starts out hot and heavy, with a bit of tennis in between. The tennis parts are written well and you can tell the author understands the sport. I'm excited to keep diving into more queer tennis romances this year.

I rated this book 3.5 / 5 stars.

In Your Court comes out May 21, 2026! It is indie published so be sure to look out for it!

StoryGraph