Reviews (6)

Interesting Read - Basic Tennis Advice
This book is fun to read if you can appreciate a scientific approach (graphs & formulae).This book takes some basic tennis advice used by instructors and scientifically proves them.It changed my perspecctive on certain aspects of the game.The advice that results from Brody's analysis is similar to what you'd get from a beginner's tennis class.However, the approach is interesting and insightful.

Finally, tennis facts.
There is so much misinformation in tennis! This book sorts through all the hype and confusion and gives true information on what makes a tennis ball go. From rackets to strings to strokes, this book shows what is important and what is not. For instance, why is it so hard to hit a hard shot from mid-court? Why do shots down the line go out so much? Should I serve hard or slow? How can I become more consistent at serving and groundstrokes? Should I crowd the net or stay back and get ready for a lob? A good resource
This book covers just about anything a budding physicist could wish to know.Although it came across as a bit technical, I enjoyed discovering the whys and hows of a sport that I've always loved.Basically, this is the only good source on such a specific subject that exists in any library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Equipment and supplies    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Tennis    5. Biomechanics, human kinetics    6. Sports injuries & medicine   

Reviews (1)

Precious little useful information
I very rarely write reviews, but felt compelled to review this book. This book is basically useless. You will learn precious little to improve your tennis game. It is poorly written, and consists mostly of a lot of hemming and hawing about how few proper scientific studies have been conducted on this or that aspect of tennis. I got a lot more out of Cross & Lindsey's Tecnical Tennis, from the same publisher. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Kinesiology And Human Biomechanics    2. Life Sciences - Human Anatomy & Physiology    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports Science    6. Tennis    7. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Reviews (2)

Great book for coaches.
This book divides players into four playing styles based on a paragraph description of each.Then, it has a chart showing which patterns and drills in the book each style should focus on to improve their play.There are two chapters each on Serves,Returns, Midcourt, and Volleying.The first chapter describes the patterns of play and the second has drills to improve on the patterns. Great!
This is a great book and has taught me excellent new stratagies! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Singles    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Tennis    6. Training    7. Teaching of a specific subject   

Subjects:  1. Coaching    2. Racket Sports    3. Softball    4. Softball for women    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Training   

Reviews (8)

Perfect for New Intermediates
This book very clearly explains the purposes of various shots, how to decide on a winning style for yourself, and how to construct winning points from the baseline and from the net. For a college player or old timer most of this will be old hat, but for the vast majority of intermediates who have learned the strokes but can't win against experienced players, this is mandatory reading. The diagrams are clear but they do require a few seconds of thinking and visualization; this is strategy after all.

Great teacher but average book
Having throughly enjoyed Brad Gilbert's book, I hoped to learn even more from his former coach who shaped Brad into the world class player he was.Unfortunately this book is written in the typical how to play tennis and be better at it.There are pictures showing the different strokes and grips.It's actually not similar to Brad's book at all although it does have a couple examples of how Brad and other players used mental advantages to win matches against better players. Strategy from a geometric point of view!
This book specializes in strategy from a geometric point of view. This means that it helps you analyze your options and explains why an option is best. It also explains what is the best spot to recover to after hitting a certain shot. I find this very useful because the author throughly explains why. I don't often apply something to my game unless I know exactly why I am doing it. This way I won't feel reluctant or unsure about doing something. This book takes away my reluctance because the author explains exactly why what he preaches is ideal. It is ideal because he explains how what he says is the best based on angles, court coverage, and percentages. I also enjoyed the chapter on strategy of past champions and current champions such as McEnroe or Becker, and the chapter on game plans. I didn't like his advice on tennis strokes though, but it is still worth the read just for another opinion because no one knows everything. I'd give this book a 4.5 star rating and I believe it is a must read for any tennis player. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Entrepreneurship    2. Psychological aspects    3. Reference    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Tennis    7. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (2)

Great For 9 to 12 year olds.
This beautifully illustrated book is intended to show the future star how the game is played at the top levels. The book includes quite a bit of commentary on the game, including tips on cloths, rackets, tactics, and how practice reallly does make your game improve. It is intended to not take the place of a personal coach, but to be of help to the starting player.
My daughter LOVES this book
After our family spent many hours watching Wimbledon earlier this year, my 8-year-old daughter started showing interest in the sport.Now that she's got this beautiful book by Venus and Serena Williams, she is HOOKED.Every day she begs me to take her to our local courts so that she can practice her swings.She's got a long way to go, but at least she's spending her last few days of summer 1. reading and 2. being active.Recommended!
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Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Juvenile Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation - Racket Sports    6. Tennis    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / Sports & Recreation / Racket Sports   

Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Tennis    4. Sports & Outdoor Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (1)

Best for those who don't want to take the class.
I was assigned to this book for my college tennis class and I found it to be very helpful. It has everything for the beginner and everything for someone who just wants to get the techniques down right. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Physical Education    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Tennis    5. Sports & Outdoor Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Reviews (6)

Lovely, well-crafted, McPheesque
Anyone who has written will appreciate this book, and how McPhee tells two stories-the forestory and the back story-and keeps both moving along nicely. This is among several McPhee books that are worth looking at closely, for anyone who loves to write-or loves to read.

a real pinnacle in Sports writing
Ostensibly this book is about a tennis match, Arthur Ashe versus Clark Graebner in the 1968 US Open Semifinals.The match was historic in itself: A Level All Its Own
To say John McPhee has written the best tennis book ever is to say too little. This is far more than a tennis book and, if you're looking for instruction, far less. The platform, if you'll excuse the tennis pun, is a U.S. Open final between Clark Graebner and Arthur Ashe, but it is a study of two men and what brought them to this point, athletically but especially sociologically. The reflective Southerner forced to be a pioneer because he is black. The more rigid son of the Midwest and privilege, with greater power and less versatility. The vagaries that make them human: Graebner, the more up-tight, gambling with a prepared point successfully at a crucial spot in the match. And at the end, there is Ashe, triumphantly whistling a winner off his suspect backhand to close out the match. You want to cheer. And you understand more about people than when you opened the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1943-    2. Ashe, Arthur    3. Graebner, Clark    4. Graebner, Clark,    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Tennis   

Reviews (23)

Worthwhile
Arthur had some interesting observations & insight. This man had more physical problems than one can imagine but was able to stay upbeat through it all.
Dying Concentrates The Mind Onto What Is Truly Important Among Life's Distractions
Ashe co-wrote Days of Grace during the final months of his life, as this mighty athlete and human rights activist was dying of AIDS contracted from a blood transfusion following life-saving surgery. Everything in this autobiography confirms the reputation Ashe secured over his lifetime, of being a kind, modest, higher-goal-oriented human being. This is not only the story of HIS life, but of the progress those of his race have made in the world of sports and the arena of life. Ashe describes his childhood in segregated Richmond, Virginia, where his father was the groundskeeper of a "Negroes Only" park that included tennis courts. It was in this unlikely location that Ashe perfected his game to such a level he was able to play professionally among others (nearly all of whom were whites) whose training had included expensive athletic camps and decades of personalized coaching. The high point of this story comes in 1975, the year the underdog Ashe dominated the world's number one men's tennis player, the volatile Jimmy Conners, and became the first non-white to win the Gentleman's Singles Title at Wimbledon.
Like gold tested byfire
Although I never met Arthur Ashe in person, what a great resource he leaves us with this autobiography.Arthur was a man of faith, morals, business, intellect and manners.Oh yeah, he was also one heckuva tennis player.My personal enduring memory of Arthur came not in the form of his Wimbledon upset of Jimmy Connors, but rather by a subsequent televised loss some years later to John McEnroe.It would be a complete understatement to say that McEnroe carried on like <l'enfant terrible>.Arthur suffered through Mac's innumerable hissy fits in that match with the perturbed patience of a monastic saint enduring the constant wails of an infidel.It is hard to adequately describe Ashe's remarkable countenance that night, except to say it was the most powerful display of silence I have ever witnessed in sport.So, it came as quite a surprise to learn in this book how much admiration and respect Arthur had for John, and how much John devoted to the Davis Cup matches.If your athletic son or daughter hopes to avoid learning too late in life that there is a lot more to it than sports and glory, I implore you to force them to read Days of Grace. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. AIDS (Disease)    2. Ashe, Arthur    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Patients    6. Tennis    7. Tennis players    8. United States    9. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (4)

Complete Conditioning for Tenis Review
I gave this book 4 stars mainly beause here is nothing out there like it. Power tennis training is not even close to the coverage of this book. This book is for serious players in good shape already. I would say it is designed more for Juniors and Satalite hopefulls than the weekend player. If your working on the gut and hoping this will bring your game up you need to do more work before getting started on this book.It has great streching tips and fantastic agility drills and explains how to train based on playing tennis. What it contains is very good. The training programs however are written by people with no real world lives. They are all pros or have been around pros without I would suspect a normal 9-5 family and job. It references a lot of weight training equipment that must be in a nice gym. It covers and gets into more tournament fitness building strategy rather than an average weekend game. A modified version for the average guy would be nice.A very big dissapointment was nutrition. I was really hoping to learn when to eat, what to eat before a match etc. This book covered nothing about nutrition. It talked about water and sodium, thats it. If your really into tennis and run three times a week already and work out some, you can benefit from this book. The fitness test is good and gives you goals to shoot for but you better be self motivated. If they add two more chapters; nutrition and a modified weekend players life, home workout system this book would be perfect.

Excellent Reference for Tennis Conditioning
Paul Roetert was formerly the Head of Sport Science for USTA Player Development in Key Biscayne. He has been instrumental in advancing US tennis scientifically and shows why here. This book was created for thetennis player and coach and perhaps is the best book on the marketregarding conditioning for tennis (there are 3 or 4 other inferior books).For myself, I think it is a bit basic (a primer) and doesn't cover enoughscientific applications and how to scientifically create a conditioningprogram. Anyhow, I think that is for the German DTB (e.g., look up RichardSchoenborn books). Otherwise, Paul and Todd (a top trainer) would limittheir audience. The authors produce an excellent resource for most seriousplayers perhaps applicable to all. This book should rank among the top tentennis books written in the past decade.

Complete Conditioning for Tennis
I personally tried tried this book and it did wonders on my tennis abilities. This book not only kept on your toes but it made wont more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Exercise    3. General    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Tennis    7. Training    8. Fitness training   

Reviews (6)

Do yourself a favor
Buy this book then read it , think about it then reread it. I bought the hardcover 10 months ago. I immediately saw I was heading down the wrong road. I completely "stopped" with my child. I knew I was making some mistakes that needed correcting. this book was a godsend. No matter how serious or casual the goals for you child , this book will make you think and help you develop a more positive long term approach. My daughter and I are still extremely involved, we just enjoy it more. Now she drags me to the tennis court. I reread this book every other month. My thanks to the author. enough said

Beautifully and Simply Written
I like the way this book is written. Yes, it's for "kids", but it doesn't read like a child-like book. It speaks to children, coaches and parents in a way that is intelligent, clear and empathetic.

I wish I had read earlier....
I wish this book was around years ago (I am now an empty nester, my sons are married). My two sons played the junior tennis tournaments, but are now into golf. There is so much useful information and guidance I wish I had access to when my kids were growing up. Kudos to Keith for a book critically important for any tennis parent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Coaching    2. Coaching - General    3. Parenting - General    4. Racket Sports    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Tennis    8. Tennis for children    9. Advice on parenting   

Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Tennis    4. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Reviews (3)

coaching for dummies
As a beginning tennis coach, this book helped me immensely

Terrific stuff for the novice coach
Covers all the basics with a personal touch. Well done!

right to the point of coaching tennis
Iam a coach of a high school tennis team. I found your book right on the money. Thank you for writting it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Coaching    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Tennis    5. Sports coaching   

Reviews (3)

Excelent
This book open a great review of the fundamentals,I keep this book all the time with me to show an demostrate to my students. an encyclopedia of tennis instruction
I have read virtually every book on tennis instruction and this book has become one of my all-time favorites.The authorcovers every aspect of the game in detail.I especially enjoyed his sectionson footwork and the 2-handed backhand.I believe players of all levels can learn something from this book

A state of the art tennis instruction book
This is one of the best instructional tennis books on the market and includes all of the latest research in the development of a tennis player. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sports & Recreation    2. Tennis    3. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Reviews (1)

A Decent Book About Tennis Strategy
This book contains a lot of good information about strategy in doubles.There are good sections about where to stand, where to move, what to focus on, and why.Its helped me improve my game.Read more

Subjects:  1. Doubles    2. Psychological aspects    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Tennis   

Reviews (5)

Great tennis resource for me!
This is a great tennis resource for anyone who loves the game and respects the mechanics of tennis.It systematically takes you through the drills and skills to move up the ladder in your tennis ability.It's anchored firmly in the real world by basing its perspective on USTA ratings, which all of us have to deal with if we're going to pursue this wonderful pastime.The authors are clear and concise, and explain everything in a perspective that never loses sight of the goals. Great Book!
..."Competitive Tennis" is a well-written book designed to help the club player improve his/her game. It successfully does that, so I would highly recommend it.

NICE TEMPLATE TO FOLLOW TO IMPROVE OR TEACH
This book attempts to take the player through systematic improvement and provides a template of sorts on what to work on.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Tennis    5. United States   

Reviews (12)

The Parts About Connors Are Exceptional
Joel Drucker is an indefatigable researcher and an insightful writer. Though tennis writers tend to be at the bottom of the food chain when measured against golf, boxing and baseball writers, Drucker does his profession proud. The biographical information about Connors, based upon meticulous research, is at times, outstanding. He paints a portrait of the tennis great that few have ever seen. Drucker explores Connors' relationship with his mother Gloria and grandmother Bertha in-depth. Indeed, knowing his relationship to them is the foundation of not only his tennis career but also his life.
Utterly nauseating
I coudn't agree more with the Amazon review here by Milacik Najdrahsi - I, too, was very much looking forward to reading this, having idolised Connors as a teenager myself, but this book is one of the worst I have ever read, a horrid, self-regarding author's ego trip, replete with the worst kind of American psycho-babble and pitiful philosophising about personal family difficulties, self improvement and the pursuit of 'success'. There is a prolonged, ghastly, obsequious chronicle of a highly ambiguous and suspect 'friendship' with Connors together with endless, embarrassing accounts ofMr. Drucker's own laughable tennis exploits (or 'career', as he likes to call it), with some atrocious writing to boot. It was extremely painful to cringe my way through to the end. I like to think that if Connors himself has read this he would have found it as loathsome as I did. A zero star rating from me... avoid at all costs, it will make you ill.

More Than Your Average Sports Biography
Joel's book is much more than I expected.There were definitely detailed descriptions of Connors tennis history and his big matches, such as with McEnroe, Lendl, Krickstein, etc.But this book is much deeper than your typical sports biography.
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Subjects:  1. 1952-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Connors, Jimmy,    5. Drucker, Joel    6. Non-Classifiable    7. Nonfiction    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. Tennis    12. Tennis players    13. United States    14. Biography: sport    15. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars - Sports & Recreation    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Tennis   

Reviews (2)

It is a lot more than about Becker or Tennis
This is an excellent autobiography about one of my favorite tennis stars of the Open era.His book compares favorably to Mac's "You Can't Be Serious."Although both personalities are equally intriguing, Becker opens up more.Mac remains more focused on the tennis.Becker engages in depth into all his demons, the tax evasion scandal, the wrenching divorce, and the sleeping pill addiction.
Disappointing
I would imagine that most of the autobiographies of sports personalities (and perhaps movie stars) in todays day and age are ghost-written. This book doesn't seem to be an exception.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Personal Memoirs    5. Sports - General    6. Tennis    7. Biography & Autobiography / General    8. Biography: sport    9. Sports & Recreation / Tennis    10. TENNIS_BIOGRAPHY