A tennis strategy book written in 6th century BC. Take a listen!

[gindyo]

Anything you need to know about tennis match strategy was written in the c. 554 BC - c. 496 BC. just map it to tennis battle.
http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/boo...war-by-sun-tzu

[user92626]

Oh yeah, China has a great military for centuries conquering all parts of the world. Their men and women are now dominating all the slams. Can't wait to apply Chinese war strategies to my Sunday doubles.

[sureshs]

I am tired of seeing this book show up everywhere. It is a staple in management courses, along with irrelevant references to pro football and basketball players.

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Originally Posted by user92626

Oh yeah, China has a great military for centuries conquering all parts of the world. Their men and women are now dominating all the slams. Can't wait to apply Chinese war strategies to my Sunday doubles.

Actually, they dominated world trade for centuries while Europeans were still frightened of the thunder gods. (peasants always believe in thunder gods.)

They sent ships all over Africa and Asia to collect rulers and bring them to festivals and events years before Columbus and co.
(amusingly, although aware of the fledgling nations of Europe, the Chinese considered them too primitive to be included)

in the 15th Century, a change of policy caused China to withdraw inwards, forfeiting their domination of the world's oceans..

it's all here, if you're interested.

http://mondediplo.com/2005/09/18zhenghe

"27,000 men aboard 317 ships. The most impressive vessels were the treasure ships, built of hardwood, 130 metres long and 50 metres wide; by the side of them, Columbus’s 28-metre long Santa Maria, in which he reached the Americas, would have looked like a dinghy, and he had only three ships and 270 men."

as for tennis, they had more finalists in the most recent grand slam than the USA managed

[goober]

Originally Posted by Timbo's hopeless slice

as for tennis, they had more finalists in the most recent grand slam than the USA managed

2 Bryan bros > 1 Li Na

[slowfox]

Originally Posted by goober

2 Bryan bros > 1 Li Na

Everybody knows that doubles isn't real tennis... haha

[goober]

Originally Posted by slowfox

Everybody knows that doubles isn't real tennis... haha

oh noes! I have been playing so much fake tennis. I hope nobody finds out!

[dman72]

Originally Posted by Timbo's hopeless slice

http://mondediplo.com/2005/09/18zhenghe

"27,000 men aboard 317 ships. The most impressive vessels were the treasure ships, built of hardwood, 130 metres long and 50 metres wide; by the side of them, Columbus’s 28-metre long Santa Maria, in which he reached the Americas, would have looked like a dinghy, and he had only three ships and 270 men."

as for tennis, they had more finalists in the most recent grand slam than the USA managed

I'm not sure that Columbus' fleet was indicative of the height of European ship-building at the time.

But anyway, interesting stuff.

[goober]

Originally Posted by dman72

I'm not sure that Columbus' fleet was indicative of the height of European ship-building at the time.
.

No they weren't. Remember he first went to Portugal which did not support his plan. Only then did he ask Spain for help. They gave him 3 caravels which were considered smaller ships compared to the carracks which were much larger and over 1100 tons. Comparing a fleet assembled by orders the emperor of China to Columbus who had to basically beg for his ships and was granted 3 small ships to go out on what was considered at the time "far out" idea is rather ridiculous.

[wanda]

It's a very interesting read.

Understanding it then trying to apply it, we'll that's another thing.

[slowfox]

It must be referred to often for a reason. I've not yet read it, but assume it has something to offer humanity, if not tennis...

[luvforty]

this stuff should be applicable to all competitive activities.

they study it at west point, must be legit.

[gindyo]

deleted 10

[LeeD]

Art of War is applicable to business especially. And it's required reading for some business course.
Kinda repetitive and long for me.

[rk_sports]

Originally Posted by gindyo

Anything you need to know about tennis match strategy was written in the c. 554 BC - c. 496 BC. just map it to tennis battle.
http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/boo...war-by-sun-tzu

Thanks! Always wanted to read it and never did... the audio format is nice too

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

I admit I pay no real attention to doubles, sorry.

[goober]

Originally Posted by Timbo's hopeless slice

I admit I pay no real attention to doubles, sorry.

That's ok. I really don't pay attention to women's pro tennis.

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

pffft

do you guys know how big a 130 metre ship actually is? and how far beyond anything built in europe for following 400 years they were?

[goober]

Originally Posted by Timbo's hopeless slice

pffft

do you guys know how big a 130 metre ship actually is? and how far beyond anything built in europe for following 400 years they were?

Many scholars disagree about the actual length of the treasure ships. The largest ships in the 130 m range were felt to be unseaworthy and only for display on the Yangtze river. Most scholars think the actual expedition ships for exploring were in the 60-70 m range.

After Zheng He, China basically didn't go further with exploration while European exploration continued basically for another 500 years. It is really not the size of the ships that matter. It is what you do with the ships. I am not sure why you are trying to turn a thread in the tennis tips section into a China versus Europe thing.

[Xizel]

I remember this from history class last year. China's navy and shipbuilding was the most advanced in the 15th century, but political turmoil prompted records to be destroyed and China retreated into isolationism.