Synopses & Reviews
He's been called the best in the world at the mental game of tennis. Brad Gilbert's strokes may not be pretty, but looks aren't everything. He has beaten the Tour's biggest names -- all by playing his "ugly" game.
Now, in Winning Ugly Gilbert teaches recreational players how to win more often without necessarily even changing their strokes. The key to success, he says, is to become a better thinking player -- to recognize, analyze, and capitalize. That means outthinking opponents before, during, and after a match; forcing him or her to play your game. Gilbert's unconventional advice includes:
x How to identify the seven "Hidden Ad Points," and what to do when they come up
x Six reasons why you should never serve first
x How to beat a Lefty, a Retriever, a Serve-Volley player, and other troublesome opponents
x How to keep a lead, or stop a match from slipping away
x How to handle psyching and gamesmanship
Winning Ugly is an invaluable combat manual for the court, and its tips include "some real gems," according to Tennis magazine. Ultimately, Winning Ugly will help you beat players who have been beating you.
Review
"Winning Ugly explains Brad's formula for a winning tennis game. He understands the mental part of tennis better than anyone I have ever met. Brad helped me improve my game and I believe he can improve yours."
Review
"Winning Ugly is a totally new approach to getting more out of your tennis game. I wish it had been around when I was learning how to play."
Review
"Winning Ugly is great. These are pro tactics that will improve a recreational player's game fast. Winning Ugly teaches how to play better tennis and is very entertaining."
Review
"Winning Ugly explains Brad's formula for a winning tennis game. He understands the mental part of tennis better than anyone I have ever met. Brad helped me improve my game and I believe he can improve yours." --Andre Agassi
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"Winning Ugly is great. These are pro tactics that will improve a recreational player's game fast. Winning Ugly teaches how to play better tennis and is very entertaining." --Pete Sampras
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"Winning Ugly is a totally new approach to getting more out of your tennis game. I wish it had been around when I was learning how to play." --Jim Courier
Review
"Priceless for tennis players of all levels." Chris Fowler, ESPN
Review
"Priceless for tennis players of all levels."
Synopsis
He's been called the best in the world at the mental game of tennis. Brad Gilbert's strokes may not be pretty, but looks aren't everything. He has beaten the Tour's biggest names -- all by playing his "ugly" game.
Now, in Winning Ugly Gilbert teaches recreational players how to win more often without necessarily even changing their strokes. The key to success, he says, is to become a better thinking player -- to recognize, analyze, and capitalize. That means outthinking opponents before, during, and after a match; forcing him or her to play your game. Gilbert's unconventional advice includes:
* How to identify the seven "Hidden Ad Points," and what to do when they come up
* Six reasons why you should never serve first
* How to beat a Lefty, a Retriever, a Serve-Volley player, and other troublesome opponents
* How to keep a lead, or stop a match from slipping away
* How to handle psyching and gamesmanship
Winning Ugly is an invaluable combat manual for the court, and its tips include "some real gems," according to Tennis magazine. Ultimately, Winning Ugly will help you beat players who have been beating you.
Synopsis
The tennis classic from Olympic gold medalist and ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert, now featuring a new introduction with tips drawn from the strategies of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and more, to help you outthink and outplay your toughest opponents.
A former Olympic medalist and now one of ESPN’s most respected analysts, Brad Gilbert shares his timeless tricks and tips, including “some real gems” (Tennis magazine) to help both recreational and professional players improve their game.
In the new introduction to this third edition, Gilbert uses his inside access to analyze current stars such as Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, showing readers how to beat better players without playing better tennis.
Written with clarity and wit, this classic combat manual for the tennis court has become the bible of tennis instruction books for countless players worldwide.
About the Author
Brad Gilbert is considered by experts to be among the world’s foremost tennis analysts. A former “Giant Killer” on the ATP Tour, his acute observations are now heard worldwide on ESPN. Gilbert has coached Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray among others. He lives in San Rafael, California, with his wife, Kim, and three children, Zach, Julian, and Zoe. Visit his website at BradGilbertTennis.com.Steve Jamison collaborated with legendary UCLA coach John Wooden on the national bestseller Wooden on Leadership. He lives in San Francisco, California. Visit his website at SteveJamison.com.
Table of Contents
ContentsPreface: Winning Ugly?
McEnroe: A Master Loses Ugly
I THE EARLY EDGE:
The Match Begins Before the Match Begins
1. Mental Preparation: The Pre-Match Advantage
2. Tools of the Trade: How Equipment Can Help You Win
3. Stretching for Success
4. The Microwave Warm-up: Defrost Your Strokes Quick
5. Four "Nervebusters": Overcoming Pre-Match Nervousness
6. Start Smart: Grabbing the Early Lead
II PLAYING SMART:
Finding a Way to Win
7. The Key to Victory
8. Destroying Your Opponent's Game Plan
9. The Seven Hidden Ad Points
10. The Player's Pit Stop: Stroke Repair
11. Learning From the Legends
III MIND GAMES, PSYCHING, AND GAMESMANSHIP: Tales From the Tour
12. The Masters of Rage: Connors and McEnroe
13. Lendl's Lethal Weapon
14. Agassi: Breaking the Speed Limit
15. How to Handle Hooking
16. A Million-Dollar Match: War With Wheaton
17. Tournament Tough All the Time
18. The Road to Number One
19. Andre Agassi on "Winning Ugly"