The day Guillermo Vilas arrived at a tournament by helicopter and was besieged by US journalism

Argentine journalist Pablo Amalfitano has authored a new book, "El otro Vilas: historias escondidas de una vida irrepetible" (The Other Vilas: Hidden Stories of an Unrepeatable Life), delving into the multifaceted life of tennis icon Guillermo Vilas. Published by Ediciones Al Arco, the 16-chapter work aims to uncover previously unknown or little-known details about Vilas's unparalleled career and personal journey.

Amalfitano, who was born in Mar del Plata, Vilas's childhood city, meticulously researched the tennis legend's life. The book incorporates anecdotes, testimonies, documents, and discoveries, covering Vilas's rise to fame, including his 1977 Forest Hills victory, and offering a portrait of the star in his later years. Vilas, who is celebrating his 74th birthday, has been living in Monte Carlo and has faced health challenges.

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The fact that [Amalfitano] has decided to investigate and write about Guillermo Vilas's personality without having seen him play, but having studied all the information about it, is more valuable than ever in a time when everything is lived very quickly and when there is often ignorance or a lack of due concern for personalities who have been more than important.

The book's prologue, written by tennis journalism pioneer Juan José Moro, praises Amalfitano's approach. Moro notes the value of researching Vilas without having seen him play, emphasizing the importance of understanding such significant figures in an era of rapid information consumption. Alfredo Bernardi, on the book's back cover, adds that Vilas was "disruptive and charismatic for his time" and that his legend remains relevant, making a deeper understanding of him worthwhile.

Amalfitano's work positions Vilas as a unique figure, drawing parallels and contrasts with other Argentine icons like Diego Maradona. While Maradona was known for his public pronouncements and global fame, Vilas cultivated a more private persona, engaging with poetry, art, and even music, exploring themes of life, death, and solitude. The book also touches upon Vilas's high-profile relationships, including a connection with a princess in Monaco, further illustrating the extraordinary scope of his life beyond the tennis court.

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Vilas was disruptive and charismatic for the time. His legend will remain vigente. It is worth, then, knowing him a little more.