If you play tennis, you should definitely read Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert. You may have practiced for hours but when you play any match, mental game becomes more important than your tennis strokes. Have you lost matches to players, which you think are no better? 🙂 You will know why after reading this book. I used his tactics to win at the USA 2017 Midwest Tennis Championship.
Some of the major takeaways from the book are as follows:
- The pre-match advantage: write the plan before or on the court after the warmup.
- Tools of the trade (What to take with you to the match?): He has compiled a comprehensive list of things that you should take with you to the court on the day of the match.
- Pre-match routine on the court:
- Circle the service box square 2 times – side steps
- Circle the service box square 1 time – butt kick
- Circle the square service box 1 time – high knee
- Stretch the quads
- Bow to the emperor
- Pull your groin 10 seconds
- Warmup (7 minutes and 45 seconds)
- Volley to volley (90 seconds): Breath slow and deep, stay on balls of the feet, try to read the label on the ball.
- Ground-strokes (4 minutes): Hit balls at the baseline or little long. If balls are falling closer than the baseline, increase the swing. Hit backhand more than forehand.
- Overheads (30 seconds): Aim for solid contact with the ball during the smash.
- Toss (15 seconds): Toss it up and catch it without moving feet (4/5 times).
- Serve (1 minute): Serve to the both side of the courts (Deuce and the Ad boxes). Aim wide and center. Try to hit for service line or beyond. Lazy service motion and be relaxed.
- Service return (30 seconds): Try to return opponents serve.
- Quick study of your opponent: Hit a ball to the middle of the court. Which way do they step? Normally forehand is stronger. When they are at volley, throw a surprise lob. Do they cover smoothly? Are they quick or clumsy with their footwork? How they strike the ball when they are moving? Are they sharp on one side and consistent on the other? Do they bend knees when they volley? Is the opponent hitting slice, topspin or flat? Looping or compact strokes?
This book is worth every penny. Do not buy it if you do not want to win! 😉