Winning Ugly

Loved this book, lots of insights.

Excellent insight into tactics and strategy

It is just a very practical book with real tips that you can use.It took me a long time to decide to buy it because of the title which put me off, but the title is not about winning ugly, it is about putting all the chances on your side to win.My favourite tip: chosing to receive on the first game in most cases against standard players. Works all the time for me since my serve takes 1 set to really warm up but not my return, meaning, I win most of my first game when I use to lose them most of the time.It is a fun book too especially if you read the biography of J. McEnroe after and cross reference the events...

The young Brad Gilbert was told by his tennis coaches that he was not good enough to be a professional tennis player and would never make it, yet he went on to become a world top ten tennis player for many years, beating the best players of his day including Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, he even beat Agassi. He also won an olympic medal in tennis. He won millions of pounds in prize money. In the preface of the book, Steve Jamison says: "Brad wins because he outthinks and outplans opponents".The "winning ugly" concept just means to not try to do everything perfectly and gracefully. Brad Gilbert realised that he was not as good as the other tennis players physically, so he would have to use his mind to find a way to win. He monitored his training regime, and focussed his mind on gaining victory. He thought about his gameplan before, during, and after every match.Brad says: "No matter how hard you work, no matter how great your talent, your mind is the ultimate weapon. Most players use it against themselves......when you are the master of your mind, you will master the art of winning more.....And always remember, it's better to win ugly, than to lose pretty."Brad Gilbert is the underdog who came out on top, and he is a shining example of how to become successful, despite whatever disadvantages and flaws you think you may possess compared to other people. He later went on to prove his methods were real, consistent, and transferrable, by becoming a tennis coach and making top tennis players out of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray.Brad had no special abilities or talents for tennis, but he found a way to win, and continued to do so. On paper he was not expected to do well, but in the real world, he proved everyone wrong. He did this by compensating for his weaknesses and creating a consistent plan for success. He proves that if he can overcome his flaws, adversities, and lack of talent, to become successful anyway, then anyone can.

I cannot recommend this enough. I won the first set 6-1 against an awesome opponent by following BG’s advice about preparation.

Very good book. Wish I had this book when I was playing as a junior. If you are playing in the "fog" of just learning your shots, but not winning as much as you think you should be....then read this. We all talk about concentration but how do you focus...this book tells you; it gives you a game plan; it makes you think like a tennis playerAimed at the recreational player...if you only own 1 tennis book this is it

I read Tim Gallwey's "Inner Game of Tennis" several years ago, and had focussed on the right brain aspects of tennis. Enjoying my tennis, but not winning much.This book provides a really good balance. Perhaps winning doesn't really matter to you either, and you play just for fun. If so, Brad asks "Why do you keep the score then?"One of his key points is that you need to hate making unforced errors. But the reason I make unforced errors is that I don't practise/play enough, and don't want to lob the ball over the net all the time.All in all, a very enjoyable read. But I still prefer Gallwey!

Great book, enjoyable reading, nearly finished it in one sitting!I've played for most of my life and this book has helped my game. I can win matches that perhaps I shouldn't using the advice Brad gives.It gives you an edge, that extra bit of confidence that you need sometimes.Highly recommended!