Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis--Lessons from a Master » (Reprint)

Brad Gilbert is considered by most experts to be the world's foremost tennis strategist and tactician. He became Andre Agassi's coach in 1994, and twelve and a half months later Agassi had rocketed from number thirty-two to number one in the world and won two Grand Slam titles. Recently Gilbert was voted America's number one tennis coach. He lives in San Rafael, California, with his wife and two children.

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.

Contents

Preface: 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"