Playing Tennis Like A Pro

"An award-winning author shares the inspiring and entertaining account of his pursuit to become a nationally competitive tennis player--at the age of sixty. Being a man or a woman in your early sixties is different than it was a generation or two ago, at least for the more fortunate of us. We aren't old.

A great technique is not enough. To succeed in tennis, each day you must overcome challenges that affect where and how you play. Playing Tennis like a Pro addresses these challenges with its clear focus on empowering you to make the decisions that are right for you and your game. Drawing upon his personal experience on the tennis circuit, William Ralston analyses the key stages on the journey to becoming a more successful tennis player, combining his own knowledge with that of some of the sport's leading players, coaches and experts. While guiding you through the trickier aspects of the sport, Playing Tennis like a Pro helps you to find answers to those all-important doubts that can so often hold you back from realizing your potential. With colour photos and explanatory illustrations, the book provides an in-depth analysis of the techniques, equipment, strategy and tactics used in the modern game. If you are a keen player at intermediate level or beyond and looking to raise your game with invaluable insights into the methods of the pros, this is the book for you.

Can tennis really be this simple? Just ask the dozens of world-class players who have made it to the top using Oscar Wegner’s groundbreaking approach. But if playing tennis isn’t so easy for you, if you never seem to play up to your potential, don’t blame yourself—blame the coach who taught you a lot of uselessly complex techniques. Play Better Tennis in 2 Hours is your guide to tennis as the pros play it—more intuitive, more fluid, and more fun. World-renowned tennis coach and ESPN commentator Oscar Wegner shows you how to focus your efforts on one thing—hitting the ball correctly. Your own natural athleticism will take care of everything else. Follow the simple drills in this power-packed handbook, and you’ll learn how to: Move to the ball efficiently and fluidly Stop worrying about foot position and stance Hit every stroke harder and more accurately Put a wicked topspin on your forehand Master both one- and two-handed backhands Combine control and power on your volleys Put more speed and spin into your serve and more punch in your return "Known and respected all around the world, Oscar has given us another great contribution to tennis with this book."—Gustavo Kuerten, three-time French Open champion "Oscar has broken the mold, demystifying the modern tennis stroke. There's genius in his analysis of pro techniques—the dynamics of what the racquet does to the ball, how power and spin are added. He understands how top pros really stroke the ball, and always have, all the way back to Tilden."—Andy Rosenberg, Director for NBC Sports Wimbledon and French Open

The essential book from online tennis coaching sensation Ian Westermann, founder of EssentialTennis.com What’s the number one thing stopping you from playing your best tennis? Ian Westermann, founder of the world’s #1 online tennis instruction portal, Essentialtennis.com, will confidently say it’s an obstacle you probably never thought of: The ball. You might think this sounds ridiculous. The whole point of tennis is to hit the ball over the net and in, so how can the ball be the thing that’s standing in the way? In fact, this is why the ball is such an impediment: your desire to hit a good shot, with the right mix of power and spin, to a specific spot on the court, prevents you from striking the ball the way you should. In Essential Tennis, readers – players and coaches, alike – will learn how improving at tennis actually happens and how to easily implement these lessons and integrate them into better play on the court. Players will hit stronger shots, make fewer errors, and beat players who are currently beating them. Coaches will look differently at what it means to provide a student with a holistic learning experience. Essential Tennis contains technique-based instruction for executing groundstrokes, volleys, and serves, as well as progressions, drills, and mindsets players should incorporate. Westermann illuminates strokes, movement, strategy, and mental toughness – all proven to be successful over 20 years with clients of all ages and skill levels.

Precision. Power. Control. Those are the aim when you are learning tennis. To be able to control the ball, the racquet and your body so that you attain the precise techniques that will add power to your game. There are a number of tennis techniques and strategies to learn and master. Tennis is a skill involving many steps. The experts always advice to take "baby steps" when learning the game. Master the initial steps first and then gradually make progress to the higher levels as you get better in every game. The very first step you will need to be skilled at is controlling the ball. When you become adept at controlling the ball you will notice how it will add speed and power to your game. As with any sport, practice is the only way by means you can perfect your technique. Another key to success in tennis is your attitude and commitment. To have the dedication and strong will to invest the time to practice everyday for many hours will speak a great deal about your mindset and character. These are what will take you far in this sport. Players with great potential never make it to professional tournaments because they lack these qualities. Tennis is a physically and mentally challenging sport. It will demand so much from you especially at the learning stages. Acquiring good foundation of the basic techniques and strategies plus developing an excellent mindset and a well-disciplined lifestyle will see you through up to the level of the pros.

The timeless guide to achieving the state of “relaxed concentration” that’s not only the key to peak performance in tennis but the secret to success in life itself—part of the bestselling Inner Game series, with more than one million copies sold! “Groundbreaking . . . the best guide to getting out of your own way . . . Its profound advice applies to many other parts of life.”—Bill Gates, GatesNotes (“Five of My All-Time Favorite Books”) This phenomenally successful guide to mastering the game from the inside out has become a touchstone for hundreds of thousands of people. Billie Jean King has called the book her tennis bible; Al Gore has used it to focus his campaign staff; and Itzhak Perlman has recommended it to young violinists. Based on W. Timothy Gallwey’s profound realization that the key to success doesn’t lie in holding the racket just right, or positioning the feet perfectly, but rather in keeping the mind uncluttered, this transformative book gives you the tools to unlock the potential that you’ve possessed all along. “The Inner Game” is the one played within the mind of the player, against the hurdles of self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses in concentration. Gallwey shows us how to overcome these obstacles by trusting the intuitive wisdom of our bodies and achieving a state of “relaxed concentration.” With chapters devoted to trusting the self and changing habits, it is no surprise then, that Gallwey’s method has had an impact far beyond the confines of the tennis court. Whether you want to play music, write a novel, get ahead at work, or simply unwind after a stressful day, Gallwey shows you how to tap into your utmost potential. No matter your goals, The Inner Game of Tennis gives you the definitive framework for long-term success.

An introduction to the history and techniques of tennis with advice on how to improve one's game.