Focused for Tennis: Featuring the 3-R's Mental Training System [Paperback]

Karl A. Slaikeu Ph.D. (Author), Robert Trogolo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998

This work explains the "3 Rs" mental training system developed by Karl Slaikeu. It reveals the thought processes used by tennis champions, including Hingis, Graff, McEnroe, Chang and Seles, to get into and stay in a positive mental and emotional zone throughout a match.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"I choke, you choke, we all choke. The question is how you handle it. That’s one of many questions that this easygoing, engaging, practical book will answer."

Cliff Drysdale Tennis Commentator, ESPN and ABC Sports Former U.S. Open Champion

"Great players execute well during points (10% of match time), but they also give the appearance of champions between points (90% of match time). The three R’s give you a way to test yourself and provide practical, specific ideas on how any personality type can be more effective in handling the critical between-point time."

Stan Smith Former U.S. Open and Wimbledon Champion

"This book provides players at all levels with important guidelines for coping with challenges to the emotional aspect of competitive tennis."

Jeff Moore Women’s Tennis Coach University of Texas

"This book is a valuable tool for both the established touring pro and the weekend player. Sports psychology is really only useful when it can be applied in a practical way. The methods and lessons expressed in this book are truly unique and comprehensive. This book is as essential to your game as is your racquet."

Benjy Robins Tour Manager 1981-1991 Association of Tennis Professionals

"Karl Slaikeu and Robert Trogolo give valuable advice on how tennis players can best use the 25 seconds between points. Their 3-R’s system is laid out in a practical, easy-to-follow manner. Their use of the "STOP" technique, the three distinct game plans and application to performance anxiety and other sports is especially useful."

Dave Snyder Men’s Tennis Coach University of Texas

"The 3 R’s is a great way to keep your composure and regroup time and again while on the tennis court. I am positive that it would have helped me during my tennis career if it were available. I strongly recommend that you should read this book and implement the 3 R’s to your game."

Danie Visser Davis Cup Captain Federation Cup Captain

"If the mental aspect of your tennis game is getting you down, read this book! The 3R’s system makes your mind work for you instead of against you."

Billie Jean King Director and Co-Founder World TeamTennis Holder of a record 20 Wimbledon titles

About the Author

Karl Slaikeu, Ph.D., a lifelong tennis enthusiast, lives in Austin, Texas, and is president of Chorda Conflict Management, Inc. He also offers sport psychology consultation to tennis players at all levels, as well as their families, and conducts workshops and seminars for coaches.

The creator of the 3 R’s® model, Slaikeu played tennis at the collegiate level and now has two children active in tennis as well.

In his spare time, Slaikeu enjoys reading, trout fishing, and, of course, playing tennis.

Robert Trogolo has spent many years as a professional tennis player and coach. After spending several years on the pro tour, he went on to coach players such as Michael Chang, Kevin Curren, and Richey Reneberg. He also coached the Malaysian Davis Cup team.

Through Trogolo Tennis International, Inc.(based in Austin), Trogolo consults tennis clubs and advises players new to the women’s and men’s pro tennis tours.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880117222
• ISBN-13: 978-0880117227
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,414,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Focused for Tennis, June 29, 2000

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[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Focused for Tennis: Featuring the 3-R's Mental Training System (Paperback)

Wonderful! This book will teach you how to focus on the most important part of the game....mental focus. It teaches you to restart each point and motivates you to deal with the most harrowing part of the game....yourself. Mental toughness never seemed so easy after reading this book. Thanks to Karl and Robert my game will never be the same.

4.0 out of 5 stars Focused for Tennis - Slaikeu and Trogolo, October 2, 2010

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Flat Spin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Focused for Tennis: Featuring the 3-R's Mental Training System (Paperback)

Unfortunately, this is one of the most underrated and under-utilized tennis book ever published. While juniors may not benefit from this due to their lack of maturity and overall comprehension, collegiate and pros can greatly benefit from this work ofart.

3.0 out of 5 stars Very practical tools, July 18, 2008

By 

Ajamu Ayinde "trancedancer16" (Poughkeepsie, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Focused for Tennis: Featuring the 3-R's Mental Training System (Paperback)

The author asserts that for every hour in a tennis match, the ball is in play only 4 to 15 of the total 60 minutes. That leaves a great deal of time for a player's mind to drift. Dr. Trologo created the "three R's" system to address this issue. The Three R system can be used to calm a player in the midst of a heated battle or may also give her a chance to psyche herself up and raise her level of energy to better respond to the other player. I recommend it to my tennis clients.