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What: “Too Soon to Panic,” by Gordon Forbes.

Publisher: Lyons & Burford.

Price: $22.95.

What is a frustrated tennis fan to do until the U.S. Open?

If waiting another week is simply intolerable, reading about tennis may be the next best thing.

“Too Soon to Panic” is the fitting successor to Gordon Forbes’ “A Handful of Summers,” one of the best books ever written about tennis. In his new effort, Forbes weaves the past and present with graceful humor.

As part of a merry band of tennis wanderers in the 1950s and ‘60s--featuring Rod Laver, Fred Stolle, Charlie Pasarell and Forbes’ brother-in-law, Cliff Drysdale--Forbes is the chronicler of the low-key era, the days before big money rushed into the game.

But in dealing with the modern times, Forbes shows not a trace of bitterness toward the open era. He delights in roaming the back court at the 1992 U.S. Open, spotting Pete Sampras on one and Anna Kournikova on another.

One small flaw: a tad too many mentions of super agent Mark McCormack of IMG. More fun is the banter of the old-time players.

Once Roy Emerson and Stolle played against Freddie de Jesus and Mike Kreiss, and the umpire mispronounced the names, saying, “Emerson-Stolle versus de Jesus-Kreiss.”

Said Emerson to Stolle, “Could have a problem here, Fred.”