Recommend/Best Tennis Books

[tennisnut16]

I was wondering what people's personal opinions are on their favorite tennis books. I have a small list of books that look good/interesting and if anybody has any reviews, I would be glad to hear them.

Match Play and the Spin of the Ball, William T. Tilden II
Winning Ugly, Brad Gilbert
Inner Tennis, Timothy Gallway
Championship Strategy, Pancho Seguras
Pressure Tennis by Paul Wardlaw
Tennis Tactics: Winning Patterns of Play
Tennis 2000: Strokes, Strategy, and Psychology for a Lifetime
Vic Braden's Mental Tennis: How to Psych Yourself to a Winning Game
Advanced Tennis Biomechanics

By the USRSA:
Tennis Training
Fit To Play Tennis
Biomechanical Principles of Tennis Technique
From Breakpoint To Advantage

Also just want to say that my current favorite book is Noble Tennis by Tony Roth, little known, but a great read.

 

[wihamilton]

Tennis Mastery and Coaching Mastery, both by Dave Smith, are great books as well. Check them out if you haven't already!

 

[m.dubya24]

the inner game is one of the greatest books i have ever read! I've read it aleast twice...reading it again this summer along with one i just picked up today, "winning ugly" by brad gilbert. they always help me become focused and ready for improvements and an over all better tennis game!

 

[gzhpcu]

Biomechanics of Advanced Tennis, edited by Bruce Elliott, Machar Reid and Miguel Crespo.

Biomechanical Principles of Tennis Technique Knudson

World Class Tennis Technique Roetert and Groppel

Tennis Strokes That Win Frank Early

Fundamentals of Tennis Plagenhoef

 

[ramseszerg]

Winning Ugly = entertaining, and it sticks in your mind and transforms your mental/strategy game.

 

[prattle128]

winning ugly just really sounded like something that would be amusing to read/helpful. from the sound of it, people who have read "winning ugly" would advocate it being read?

 

[tennisnut16]

Biomechanics of Advanced Tennis, edited by Bruce Elliott, Machar Reid and Miguel Crespo.

Biomechanical Principles of Tennis Technique Knudson

Which one is better?

 

[Cindysphinx]

I would skip "Pressure Tennis." One small chapter on the Directionals was useful. Everything else, not so much. I lent it to a friend recently. She gave it back soon thereafter, saying pretty much the same thing. She also thought the discussion of the Directionals was needlessly confusing.

I like "The Art of Doubles." I like the first edition and dislike the second edition.

 

[ho]

no need no book, stick around here, we will show you more than any book or website, if you ask a right question.

 

[cliff]

I take it you want some information that will help you become a better player or coach.

here is a link check out the expert panel at the bottom there are some great articles from world leaders in tennis

http://www.procomparetennis.net/home

 

[gzhpcu]

Which one is better?

Hard to say. I like both of them. Knudson's book is a bit more practical. Elliott's more theoretical. Depends what you prefer...

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

winning ugly just really sounded like something that would be amusing to read/helpful. from the sound of it, people who have read "winning ugly" would advocate it being read?

Obviously, even though i have never read it how can you go wrong from a player like gilbert who touts making his opponents play their worst of their abilitys?

 

[fuzz nation]

I appreciated Winning Ugly, but among the couple of books that I've tried, Vic Braden's Mental Tennis has definitely been the most helpful for me. Aside from managing the minefield in my own head, it's been tremendously helpful for me as a high school coach. The kids can often put together a strong set of skills in a relatively short amount of time, but without proper psychological guidance, their potential goes straight down the drain. A couple of my adult tennis pals have had a great time with this book, too. Braden is a fun writer, but he also has decades of wisdom that reflect in his book.

Dave Smith's work is next on my list (Coaching Mastery). He consistently shares his sound wisdom on these pages and I'm confident that his book will benefit me as a player as well as a coach.

 

[crystal_clear]

the inner game is one of the greatest books i have ever read! I've read it aleast twice...reading it again this summer along with one i just picked up today, "winning ugly" by brad gilbert. they always help me become focused and ready for improvements and an over all better tennis game!

I just finished The inner game of tennis and it is a wonderful book. Does anyone know the thread discussing the book?

I just to start reading Winning ugly.

 

[eagle]

Winning Ugly gets my vote. I favor it over Inner Game of Tennis.

r,
eagle

 

[Mav84]

I have Winning Ugly and even read it 2-3 times; apart from being a very entertaining read it definitely makes your appreciate the importance of tactics and mental toughness in tennis. This book doesn't deal with any technical stuff, however it talks about a variety of useful topics like correct preparation for a game, common strategies against different types of players,adjustments during the game, gamesmanship etc.

I would definitely recommend it.

 

[CoachingMastery]

Many thanks to those who have mentioned my books, TENNIS MASTERY and COACHING MASTERY.

Of the 117 books I own on tennis, my favorites are: High Tech Tennis by Jack Groppel, (A solid technical book), Venus and Serena, My Seven Years as Hitting Coach for the Williams Sisters by Dave Rineberg, (From a most interesting view from developing professional players and the psychic of Richard, their father!), and Nick Bollettieri's book My Aces, My Faults, (from an honest inner look at Nick and how he developed his program).

I have serious problems with many books...but, once a players understands what an "Advanced Foundation" is, then even books with flaws can hold valuable tips and offer help to nearly all.

 

[tennisnut16]

Is Championship Strategy, Pancho Seguras really that good? It's out of print and there's one on **** for really cheap, should I get it?

 

[gzhpcu]

Is Championship Strategy, Pancho Seguras really that good? It's out of print and there's one on **** for really cheap, should I get it?

Segura is really good on strategy. I have read a number of articles by him in the past. He was Jimmy Connor's coach and taught him winning strategy. I'd get it...

 

[prattle128]

Obviously, even though i have never read it how can you go wrong from a player like gilbert who touts making his opponents play their worst of their abilitys?

ok, sounds like a book definitely worth reading then, thanks!

 

[tennisnut16]

Segura is really good on strategy. I have read a number of articles by him in the past. He was Jimmy Connor's coach and taught him winning strategy. I'd get it...

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to get it.

 

[tennisnut16]

anybody else have any faves?

 

[charliefedererer]

Technical Tennisby Rod Cross and Crawfod Lindsey explores the scietific aspect os racquets, strings, balls, spin and bounce.
From Breakpoint to Advantage: A practical Guide to Optimal Tennis Health and Performance by Drs. Babette Pluim and Marc Safran includes desciptions, treatments and prevention of tennis injuries.

 

[tennisnut16]

bump......

 

[crystal_clear]

I would skip "Pressure Tennis." One small chapter on the Directionals was useful. Everything else, not so much. I lent it to a friend recently. She gave it back soon thereafter, saying pretty much the same thing. She also thought the discussion of the Directionals was needlessly confusing.

I like "The Art of Doubles." I like the first edition and dislike the second edition.

I read "The art of Doubles" and I love it. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Maximum Tennis by Nick Saviano. The best book by far amongst the dozens I've read over the years. BHBH

 

[tennisnj]

Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert. A must read for all tennis players, even moreso for amateurs playing tournaments or higher level tennis. At the amateur level, especially HS players should read it b/c so many points/matches are won using mental tactics--getting into the mind of your opponents b/c often physical capabilities & techniques are limited or evolving.
I give this book to every graduating senior I coach on my tennis teams whether or not they go onto play competitive tennis in the future.

 

[rfprse]

Maximum Tennis by Nick Saviano. The best book by far amongst the dozens I've read over the years. BHBH

I also enjoyed this book. It's much better than some over-hyped ones.

 

[Ano]

I have Winning Ugly and even read it 2-3 times; apart from being a very entertaining read it definitely makes your appreciate the importance of tactics and mental toughness in tennis. This book doesn't deal with any technical stuff, however it talks about a variety of useful topics like correct preparation for a game, common strategies against different types of players,adjustments during the game, gamesmanship etc.

I would definitely recommend it.

I fully agree with you.

 

[plasma]

anything by Tom Okker or Nick Bolleterri. Don't like Nick's vids much but his books are good.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

I fully agree with you.

To fully appreciate "Winning Ugly" you really NEED to re-read it a couple of times. There is a BUNCH of good advice contained therein! My buddy, who is the coach of a top DI team, has his players read it at least twice. BHBH

 

[CityTennis22]

i went from mediocre to top 3 in my county after i read winning ugly. it gave me a whole new outlook on tennis.

 

[crystal_clear]

Did anyone read "Learn to play like the pros" or "Play better tennis in 2 hrs"
by Oscar Wegner?

 

[5263]

Yep,
Play better Tennis in Two Hours.
I found it excellent.

 

[crystal_clear]

I read Championship Strategy, Pancho Seguras and I love it.

 

[crystal_clear]

I read Play better tennis in 2 hrs
by Oscar Wegner...well, It has some good points like finding ball...it might be hard for beginners to understand without mentioning different grips except the continental grip and just play naturally this and that...

 

[Indiana Puffed]

I've got a few books that I feel are useful.

Tennis Course Volume 1, Techniques and Tactics by the German Tennis Association is in my opinion the best I have read on technical aspects. It is scientific, technique specific, and in depth. Not a light read but it has pictures! ;-D

Visual Tennis by John Yandell often gets a mention in these threads. Yandell's articles on the web found on sites such as tennis.com are excellent, but I feel this book is a bit of a disappointment in comparison to these and the aforementioned Tennis Course, but I would stress it is better than most and worth sampling. I would love him to do another up to date version with recent techniques (such as his discussions on Fed's forehand, Sampras' serve) but perhaps his website is where he focuses his teaching now.

Maximum Tennis is good, and has nice breakdowns on areas like when you can attack a ball or play defensively, and in general has a good overview of most areas you must work on to improve play (technique, mental, physical etc,) I think Serious Tennis by Scott Williams goes a few steps further though, including training regimes, trouble shooting shots, and even looking into foot pronation and supination! A very thorough read, accessible too.

Finally, World Class Tennis Technique is worth a look, and features a variety of expert opinions.

I'll have to check out the Segura book, sounds interesting.

 

[GuyClinch]

I would recommend Dave Smith's book Tennis Mastery. As for winning ugly - its fun to read. I think its a help for competitive players not really recreational ones. If your just hitting with friends and playing practice matches don't bother with it.

Pete

 

[LuckyR]

The Lure of the Big Game by Vince Ng is the most practical book on tennis (especially for juniors) but it has no instruction, it is for folks who already have the strokes.

 

[paulfreda]

Championship Strategy by Pancho Segura is a great book IMO.
It is a bit dated with 60's 70's anecdotes, so don't be turned off by this.

His checklists for various topics are very thought provoking and the book reads easily. It was a classic back then and still is. It should probably get a 2nd edition to modernize it and it will then be read more often for a long long time.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

- Scott Williams "Serious Tennis" is a good all around easy to understand book.

- For workouts, Power Tennis Training by Donald Chu

 

[wihamilton]

Other people have mentioned "Winning Ugly" but I thought I'd plug it nonetheless. Brad's explanation of his thought processes -- and how / why he made tactical adjustments -- is really valuable stuff.

 

[naylor]

... Tennis Course Volume 1, Techniques and Tactics by the German Tennis Association is in my opinion the best I have read on technical aspects. It is scientific, technique specific, and in depth. Not a light read but it has pictures! ;-D ...

Thanks for the recommendation. I assume that - as a product of the German TA - it will have been done with typical German thoroughness. So I've ordered it, and also Volume 2!!!

 

[SuperFly]

Other people have mentioned "Winning Ugly" but I thought I'd plug it nonetheless. Brad's explanation of his thought processes -- and how / why he made tactical adjustments -- is really valuable stuff.

Off topic but Will, I literally learned how to play tennis because of your website. Great job and keep it up.

 

[atatu]

Another vote for Saviano and Maximum Tennis.

 

[wihamilton]

Off topic but Will, I literally learned how to play tennis because of your website. Great job and keep it up.

Thx! Happy to help.

 

[Indiana Puffed]

Thanks for the recommendation. I assume that - as a product of the German TA - it will have been done with typical German thoroughness. So I've ordered it, and also Volume 2!!!

It is very thorough, hope you enjoy it. I'm keen to find out what the 2nd volume on strategy is like. There is a small section on it in the 1st which makes for good reading, but would love to see the expanded theory. It's on my shopping list.

 

[ThiTran]

Book

I need to check out resources that you all posted. I'm reading the book "Tennis for Humans: Winning Hints, Tips, and Strategies for the Competitive Club Level Player" by Richard B. Myers and like his advises.

Thi

 

[LuckyR]

I need to check out resources that you all posted. I'm reading the book "Tennis for Humans: Winning Hints, Tips, and Strategies for the Competitive Club Level Player" by Richard B. Myers and like his advises.

Thi

I felt that the number of usable tips in this book was not zero, but was low enough that I felt ripped off.

 

[naylor]

... I'm keen to find out what the 2nd volume on strategy is like. There is a small section on it in the 1st which makes for good reading, but would love to see the expanded theory. It's on my shopping list.

When I get it, I'll leaf through it and post a short comment here. In the meantime, here's the review from a reader (as posted in Am*z*n):-

Tennis Course Vol. 2: Lessons & Training - Again, the Deustcher Tennis Bund authorities come up with a comprehensive gem! The earlier book in the Tennis Course series wasn't as strong but this volume is one of the definite books on Coaching Tennis. It is highly theoretical so it doesn't give coaches or teachers the practical side. Students may not find this book useful, but any parent of a competitive player might find it valuable to see what theory is out there and if their pro/coach uses them. Coaches can use this resource which is "unpolitical" so it doesn't concern itself with subjectivity (which many coaching books do!). Most other coaching books don't address theory. It is a bit dry and can be more creative but it ranks with the International Tennis Federation's Advanced Coaches Manual and Chuck Kriese's Coaching Tennis.