Think to Win: Strategic Dimension of Tennis, The [Paperback]

Allen Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 1993

A Davis Cup winner and Pepperdine coach has written the first book on the strategy and mental dimension of the game since the bestselling The Inner Game of Tennis.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Fox is a former Davis Cup competitor and current tennis coach at Pepperdine. While his qualifications are excellent, his presentation here is confusing and frustrating. The diagrams that he employs seem more suitable to a geometry text than a how-to book. Fox uses angles and court positions to explain winning (or losing) routines. He tries to address both the beginner and advanced player, which results in short service to both. While the sections on mental strategies and game psychology are informative and helpful, they are too rare. Not recommended.
- J. Sara Paulk, Concord P.L., N.H.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The first tennis book I've read that not only tells you how to hit the ball, but how to play." -- -- Tom Gullikson

"This book will flat-out help you win." -- -- Charles Hoeveler, Founder and President, Adidas Tennis Camps International, and number-one-ranked player in the world, 1992, Men's Senior Division

"Think to Win is an absolutely unique book, revealing the intricate form and function of the art of tennis, explaining the ever-present linkage of strokes and tactics, strategies and psychologies. Allen Fox, a world-class player and tennis thinker, has written a brilliant and witty book which will highly benefit players and coaches from all levels of the game. -- David A. Benjamin, Executive Director,Intercollegiate Tennis Association, and Men's Tennis Coach, Princeton University

"Allen Fox's brilliant insights on strategy will benefit players at all levels, from the kids that attend my tennis camps to the nationally ranked players on my Stanford team. And as sophisticated as it is, it's a lot of fun to read." -- Dick Gould, Coach, Stanford Men's Tennis Team

"Finally, we have a book that deals with strategy. Now you can develop your match-playing abilities with Think to Win, a book that will help competitors of all levels play the points better." -- Dr. Jack Groppel, Executive Vice President, Loehr-Groppel/Saddlebrook Sport Science, Inc.

"I've watched Allen Fox beat some of the best players in the world. He plays smart and knows how to win tennis matches." -- Jack Kramer

"The first tennis book I've read that not only tells you how to hit the ball, but how to play." -- Tom Gullikson

"This book is so good I'm jealous that I didn't write it." -- Richard "Pancho" Gonzales

"This book will flat-out help you win." -- Charles Hoeveler, Founder and President, Adidas Tennis Camps International, and number-one-ranked player in the world, 1992, Men's Senior Division

"This is a fascinating book. I was captivated from start to finish. It's great to see the insights of my old mentor in print." -- Brad Gilbert

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: It Books; 1 edition (February 17, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060982004
• ISBN-13: 978-0060982003
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best tennis book for the advanced player, February 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Think to Win: Strategic Dimension of Tennis, The (Paperback)

I'm not fond of tennis books that tell you all about grip and how to swing the racket for top spin, slice, etc. You can't learn that from a book. It's like reading a book on how to swim the crawl. And besides, that's boring stuff that takes up the majority of every banal tennis book. This book is so very different. It doesn't mess around, but tells you that, when the ball lands here, you've got these options, etc. And it goes into detail, with illustrations, letting you know why, based on physics, that certain shots are low percentage shots. There is a wealth of info on net play, baseline play, approach shots, all with a concentration on placement, instead of racket swing. If you have the ability to play and be competitive, I suggest this book.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last a book on Strategy for Tennis!, July 16, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Think to Win: Strategic Dimension of Tennis, The (Paperback)

This book is ideal for those of us who have the strokes; however don't know what to do with them. The ideas of keeping the ball crosscourt, attack down the line, keep the ball in play, utilizing your strengths and weaknesses, as well as information on strokes can only help a player improve. My success rate in turning matches into victories has increased tremendoulsy since applying the ideas. Most coaches and players mainly concentrate on strokes which are important; moreover this book tends to avoid situations which can cause potential problems down the road. I have worked hard on my game over the years with mixed results; however I know realise if you do not use strategy properly it all does not work! Rarely do coaches teach this information to players as one parent put it "...all we ever get is forehand and a backhand " I feel more coaches should be aware that progress is a lot more effective when strategy is taught. The results of the players that I h! ! ave coached have improved immeasurably since applying these principles; the game is easier to handle! Fox looks at it from a players perspective who needs direction-there are a lot us around-I ask the question why this information was not provided earlier! You also get advice on doubles in this book which makes it unique in both singles and doubles play. This book is for those who have the strokes. There is high level of credablity in the pages, Fox who is a former professional player, a high level college coach, and an academic writes from the battlefield. I do recommend the video version of this book as the concepts are put into practice. This one is a treasure for anyone who wants to improve from beginners to professional level players.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific book on tennis strategy, December 18, 2000

By 

Gerald L. Canter (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Think to Win: Strategic Dimension of Tennis, The (Paperback)

"Think To Win," is the best book I've ever read on tennis strategy-and I've read a bunch of 'em. Allen Fox doesn't just tell you how to stroke the ball, he shows you how to PLAY TENNIS! Fox's book has done more for my game than many (too many, I'm sorry to say) years of lessons. His insights on the subtleties of court geometry were a revelation to me, and have improved my winning percentage immeasurably. Buy "Think To Win," along with Brad Gilbert's "Winning Ugly" (who, by the way, was coached by Fox at Pepperdine) Between the two, you'll find the majority of the information you'll need to play successful, competitive tennis.