Brad Gilbert

Whether you’re playing on an overly sunny day, what to pack in your bag, how to handle gamesmanship, what to do when you come up against specific types of players, this book covers a lot of ground. It does feel a bit repetitive at times though if you are attempting to learn from the book repetition is probably helpful to get this stuff ingrained in your brain so you can put it in action without overthinking on the court.

If like me you’re reading this strictly as a tennis fan/fan of Brad Gilbert’s analysis on ESPN, not someone who actually plays, then you’ll already be familiar with much of the philosophy behind these tips and strategies and that, along with the repetition I mentioned does get a little tedious if you picked this book up as a pleasure read rather than as the tutorial it’s intended to be. But fortunately those of us who came to this book only for the entertainment value, you’re rewarded with quite a few anecdotes about Gilbert’s career and matches against legends like Connors, McEnroe, and Lendl, an era which I wasn’t lucky enough to see but it sure is riveting to read about.

This book would definitely be of most use to those who play, but for those of us who just watch tennis there’s still quite a bit to hold your interest, too, and if you’re new to watching the sport, it will likely give you a better understanding of it, too.… (mer)

I read this years ago, when I was just starting to get serious about tennis and thought it was a great book. I decided to re-read it now, because I've been promoted into a division with some *really* good tennis players and I can use all the help I can get. I found the advice, this time, less helpful. Don't get me wrong, this is a fun and interesting book to read. But, basically, you can boil the advice down to "try this, and if it doesn't work, try something else". OK. That's pretty much what I try to do. I doesn't always result in "winning tennis", but-I admit--it can be ugly.… (mer)

Before reading this book I had the talent, but I did not have the head to succeed. Gilbert and Jamison give a play the tools he or she will need t win no matter what the circumstances are. The book shows that a player can always find a way to win. The book will also teach the reader how to deal with gamesmanship. Gamesmanship is when your opponent is doing everything in their power to get inside your head. Some examples of this are cheating, yelling, and using the time to their advantage. While reading this book I was able to learn a lot about myself as a player. As I was reading I was able to figure out what my own mental strengths and weaknesses are on the court. After the completion of this book I saw a great improvement in my game. The real examples Gilbert gives from when he was a player gave me a sense of comfort while reading the book. I knew that the man that was writing really knows what he is talking about. A great example of this was the chapter about the masters, when Gilbert played Connors. This book is not supposed to be about improving a players physical skills; it is strictly mental. I recommend this book to everyone that plays competitive tennis. The book will give you an unbelievable understanding for the game. Also, when you are in certain situations recommended in the book think about Gilberts experiences. The book is definitely worth five stars.… (mer)

This is the second book I’ve read by Brad Gilbert, a previous tennis pro and coach. This book details his coaching career and offers up insight on how to deal with the mental side of tennis. He also talks about his time spent coaching Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick.

This book features more stories than actual tips. Tips are sprinkled in, but very lightly, and nothing overly new and innovative. Mainly, the book is for the tennis fan who is happy reading a light, easy-to-read book that gives a bit of insight into the lives of tennis pros and how they think.

Gilbert is nothing but positive in the book, so no stories of quarrels or major problems. There is a heavy emphasis on remaining positive, and Gilbert follows his own advice.

So, while this isn’t a great book, it is enjoyable enough and is a quick read.… (mer)