Chronicling the tumultuous life of the original bad boy of tennis, this engaging memoir describes one man’s public battle with clinical depression. Cliff Richey was best known for the 1970 season in which he won the Grand Prix, the Davis Cup, and was first in the American tennis ranking. He was also well known for his tantrums and boorish behavior that served to mask an internal, dark struggle. Describing torturous days in which he would place black trash bags on the windows and lay in bed crying for hours, this brutally honest narrative stresses that depression is a mental disorder that can affect anyone. Documenting his 10 year fight for control of his mind, aided by antidepressant medication, the determination and strength that afforded him the nickname of “The Bull” is highlighted. Expressing the joy of feeling stable for the first time in his life, this deeply moving story of nightmare and redemption serves to encourage and inspire anyone whose life is touched by mental illness.
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"Cliff Richey brings to you an insight that will benefit not only those that battle depression, but people that face difficulties every day. A champion in every sense of the word, Cliff puts you on and off the court with his challenges. A must read for all." —Johnny Bench, member, Baseball Hall of Fame
"An inspiring story of how a man can still make meaning out of even the most savage and unrelenting depression . . . an entertaining yet serious read." —Psychology Today
"The Richeys inspired a whole generation of kids to believe in themselves and strive for excellence. Cliff's story gives people hope when life has dealt them darkness." —Lynn Rutland, executive director, MHMR
"Cliff Richey approaches his recovery from depression with great passion and determination. He provides hope and understanding through this powerful memoir." —Lynn Lasky Clark, president and CEO, Mental Health America of Texas
"Enlightening, highly entertaining, extremely informative, humorous, oftentimes melancholy and downright gross at times." —San Angelo Standard Times
"Real men do get depression—even champion athletes. Cliff’s story is an inspiration to all those who are battling mental illnesses and a wake-up call to the public." —Jackie Shannon, past president, The National Alliance on Mental Illness
"A compelling portrait . . . a testament to one man's struggle against mental illness." —Long Island Tennis Magazine
About the Author
Cliff Richey was ranked the number-one professional tennis player in the United States in 1970, the most valuable player of the victorious 1970 U.S. Davis Cup team, and has won 45 tournament titles over the span of a 26-year career. He currently plays on the celebrity golf tour and organizes charity tournaments to raise mental health awareness. He lives in San Angelo, Texas. Hilaire Richey Kallendorf, PhD, is an associate professor of Hispanic studies at Texas A&M University and the author of Conscience on Stage andExorcism and Its Texts. She lives in College Station, Texas. Jimmy Connors is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all-time. He won five U.S. Open singles titles and stands alone as the only player to win the U.S. title on three different surfaces (grass, clay, and hard court). He was No. 1 in the world for 263 weeks.
Hilaire Kallendorf is an Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies at Texas A&M University. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Princeton University. She was a postdoctoral research fellow at UCLA and an American Council of Learned Societies / Andrew W. Mellon Junior Faculty Fellow. She was awarded a Howard Foundation Mid-Career Fellowship from Brown University and, in 2006, the $50,000 Hiett Prize in the Humanities. Her research and teaching deal with many aspects of religious experience, especially as belief relates to literature and culture. She is the author of two academic monographs, Exorcism and Its Texts: Subjectivity in Early Modern Literature of England and Spain (University of Toronto Press, 2003) and Conscience on Stage: The Comedia as Casuistry in Early Modern Spain (University of Toronto Press, 2007). She is general editor of A New Companion to Hispanic Mysticism (Leiden: Brill, 2010); translator of Francisco de Quevedo's Silvas into English (Lima, Peru: Editorial Corvus / Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, 2010 [in press]); and co-author with Cliff Richey of a memoir, Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion's Toughest Match (Washington, D.C.: New Chapter Press, 2010). She has also published 15 articles on such topics as self-exorcism, piety and pornography, ghosts, Taíno religious ceremonies, and Christian humanism in the Renaissance.
Cliff Richey's autobiography, "Acing Depressing," is a bravely honest account of the tennis legend's 40-year battle with depression and its effects on his family and career. Richey documents his symptoms and ultimately successful treatment, but his most valuable service is describing his continuing struggles. He compares depression to a "bully in the school yard" who backs down when challenged - although the fight never ceases. Using personal experience, Richey advises others battling depression to summon the discipline to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He warns that while another depressive episode may be around the corner, recognizing the warning signs can lesson its grip. He describes the value of pre-emptive strategies, coping skills, antidepressant medication, cognitive therapy and spiritualism in treatment. Most importantly, he urges, "Never, ever, ever give up."
I really enjoyed this book. If you are a tennis fan you will enjoy the parts of the book about Cliff's times on the pro tour. But the heart of the book is the author's brutal honesty about himself and his struggles with depression. His personality and grit come jumping off the page. Cliff was one of the toughest competitors on the men's circuit but his greatest battle was after his playing days when he faced depression. He has a bunch of good practical suggestions for those facing mental health issues. All in all a very worthwhile read.
Depression doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care about the color of your skin or the amount of money you have. It doesn't care if you have a loving family or if you're all alone. Even though everyone's life is different, there are some basic characteristics of depression that are present in the person suffering.
I suffer from depression, which is the main reason I was interested in reviewing this book. Cliff, the tennis star who won many games back in the 1970's, had his own mental illness to deal with. Our story is somewhat similar in that both of us would lay in bed for hours crying without knowing why these tears were falling. Cliff's ten years of fighting this setback was a brutal battle but he wasn't a quitter and in the end he learned how to deal the cards he was dealt.
His honestly in this book is extremely touching. I know a lot of people who think that it's weird that I will admit to anyone that I've had mental issues but the thing they don't realize is what a relief it is to say it and accept it. Plus, if you have truly come to terms with your disease, you want to let the world know that it is possible to live a somewhat normal life, if you're willing to work at it. It's not easy or fun but you come out stronger than you ever could have imagined. I feel like Cliff is a kindred spirit and I'm really glad that he has shared his story and I know that this book will help others with the same illness.
