Customer Reviews

$20,000 in Tennis Lessons: Your Personal Coach

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Easily the most ambitious tennis book written by an American author in a while. The most comprehensive tennis instruction books are those produced by the DTB (German Tennis Federation) and the ITF (International Tennis Federation: Advanced Coaching, Strength and Conditioning, etc). The author provides hundreds of tips and technical information. There are accompanying photos (most small but still in color) including some very original ones (e.g., Sergei Bruguera with a backboard marked off for passing shots)! The photos include many players over the past 50 years representing the best collection in an instructional book. The technical tips come at you furiously. But perhaps it is a bit too much informational overload. There are some technical errors that take a very discriminating expert to find. For example, the serve is well-explained but the author takes a rather narrow view of endorsing a low toss (e.g. as low as 13"). Most experts on the serve would not endorse this method. The author may want to check other sources. He quotes Vic Braden who used to endorse the low toss but doesn't claim it as the bible anymore since Howard Brody suggested that the "ideal" toss is 18" past your contact point. He also endorses the straight toss but against the circular toss -- actually many pros use the circular toss to produce greater rotation and spin. It is suggested that in the kinetic chain, the server should stop the shoulders to allow the arm to accelerate forward. However, the majority of touring pros decelerate at the hips and the shoulders do go forward and turn. In short, there are flaws. In addition, the author also suggests that the two-handed backhand be hit with the left hand dominating and with the left elbow straight but the right bent. Although these styles are common and sound, other styles are ignored: e.g., bent-bent elbows as with many female pros [...] or even co-dominance of the right and left arm. In an encyclopediac book, all acceptable styles should be objectivity included. Many of the terms can be a bit confusing: the author uses uncommon words such as midwestern and overspin and to add to confusion, uses interchangeably "overhead" and overhand." Considerable time is spent on the underhand spin serve but almost nothing on the half-volley or topspin lob. Still it is refreshing to see someone talking about the underhand serve or how to pick up the ball with the racquet. There is very little footwork and no doubles covered in the book. Finally it could be organized clearer and some information can be eliminated. Nevertheless, it is very ambitious and fascinating!

Terrific book with tons and tons and tons of instruction in the form of tips and tricks. The title is apt. Also filled with hundreds of color photos of the legends (illustrating strokes etc...) from the 70's through 90s. This is the type of book you don't read cover to cover but pick up again and again to read snippets. Highly recommended.

When I haven't played for a while I frequently come back to this book to visualize what I need to do to get back into tennis

Whether you play tennis in just a casual way, or in contrast are dead serious about it and always looking to improve your game, this book is simply a must have item. The author has compiled a lifetime's worth of advice, insights, and inspiration and put them together into a very readable and entertaining package. I can't think of a single aspect of the game that wasn't covered in depth and in an authoritative way. Dr. Greene's willingness to share his wealth of personal experiences, coupled with his "cut to the chase" style of practical application make this book something special that you will return to again and again as you adapt his suggestions into your game. All of this for the price of a single half hour lesson makes it the tennis bargain of a lifetime. It's loaded with pictures, analogies, and revelations of personal interactions with some of the biggest names in tennis. In short, it's the best generalist book on tennis I've ever read (and that's saying something). This book was obviously a labor of love on Dr Greene's part (as well as his legacy) and I'd like to personally thank him for his efforts and the love of the game that he helps kindle in his readers. Finally, I'd especially recommend this item to the aging players out there who are looking to make the most of the abilities they still retain. Greene has been there and done that and thankfully he is willing to share every bit of the experience to our benefit.

If you are less that 60 years old you going to learn a lot about tennis players you've never heard about. It is also good if you want to learn to play tennis the way it was played 30-40 years ago. The passage I like the most was about western forehand grip. It says something like "if you use western grip, change it immediately, you will never be able to do well at Wimbledon with this grip". Where have these people been last 10 years?

There is so much information in this book, you won't need your tennis coach any more! All the examples and pictures will really help your game.