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. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )

This book won't help your tennis strokes or any other technical aspect of your game, but it will address the strategy behind the game. The big focus is on knowing your opponents and your own game, knowing the strengths and weaknesses that become apparent during matches, and how to exploit what you observe. There is also emphasis on the mental game of tennis, which includes keeping your cool, dealing with gamemanship, and keeping focus.
The book is organized in quick, easy to read chapters, with Gilbert's real-life examples, followed up with a closer look on how to apply his principles to your own game.
Overall, a great, well-written book that will give the serious tennis player food for thought, and ideas to bring into your own game. ( )

Although there is clearly some prodding that occurs in these forums between McEnroe and Gilbert, it's a engaging and thorough treatment of the scrappy, mental side of the game. ( )