Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquillity.

The line captures a central paradox of tennis: the sport demands explosive, even aggressive physical effort—serves, sprints, and full-body swings—yet it unfolds within a setting governed by etiquette, quiet concentration, and controlled emotion. King’s phrasing highlights how tennis externalizes intensity while requiring internal composure: the player must generate violence in the ball-striking while maintaining calm decision-making, rhythm, and sportsmanship. More broadly, it suggests why tennis can feel psychologically exacting: the atmosphere is “tranquil,” so the athlete’s turmoil has nowhere to hide, and performance depends on mastering both force and restraint.