Customer Reviews

Zone Tennis

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

 

 

I'm writing this review in an effort to help others before they commit to purchasing this book. In short, I see minimal value contained in it, and your money would be better spent elsewhere. It does not deliver at all on what it purports to. I am a club player, and purchased this book for my son who is a junior player in hopes that it would assist him with the mental part of his game. Unfortunately, I found this book to be a total rip-off and complete disappointment.

Overstated Quantity
The first thing I noticed as I reviewed the table of contents is that there are a significant number of "chapters". The problem is, as I thumbed through the pages I found that the majority of them contain one-quarter to one-half a page of content. It's ridiculous. This book has 130 pages, but should be about one-third to one-fourth the size. You pay for a lot of blank space. There is not nearly the amount of information in this book as it portrays.

Weak Content
Of the content that is there, it is so rudimentary that it would only provide limited value to a novice. For the club player, weekend warrior, or aspiring junior it is an insult. Early on Granat states that the content is geared for players who can execute shots required for tournament play. Yet nearly half the book is generic references to "strategies" (under "The External Mental Game") that even pre-tournament players would be well beyond. It's more like a listing of basic and obvious methodologies (Hit Right At Them; Know the Score; Disguise Your Lobs). These topics are not only so basic that my junior kids knew them in their first year of playing, but they are so high-level in their description that you learn nothing from their brief explanation.

Does Not Deliver
This book advertises that it will help you learn how to get into the zone. It does not. Short of a couple of suggested relaxation techniques and pre-match routines, it only REFERENCES getting in the zone and provides few of the psychology aspects it mentions. To gain access to the actual methods/aspects you have to purchase ANOTHER book and/or set of CD's by Granat. (He advertises them several times.) If those are anything like this book, you will be on an endless trail of investment for minimal return.

Better Alternatives
There are two main parts to this book. The Internal Mental Game and the External Mental Game. Neither contain in-depth, applicable information or new revelations. The "Inner" part of Zone Tennis seems to borrow ideas from another, better book, but with much less detail. That book, The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance is considered the original sports psychology book and delivers quite well on the mental aspects of the game. I own that book as well and there is no comparison. The "External" part of Zone Tennis is frankly, worthless. It has less practical application than Tennis for Dummies. I suggest you invest your money in a USTA membership, and the corresponding 12 issues of Tennis Magazine will provide you with much more relevant and detailed information on improving that aspect of your game.

I'm frankly very surprised that this book has received the reviews it has. I bought it based upon those reviews, and it was a big mistake. I'll be dumping it on the used market immediately. It's not even worth saving.

I did not start playing tennis until my mid 30's and wish this book had been around back then. While reading the book, I was truly amazed that I could relate to practically every page. It was as if the book had been written specifically for me. I now have a great perspective of the mental dynamics of the game and am grateful to Dr. Granat for enabling me to take a step back to see this. The majority of my tennis is for social purposes but who doesn't like to win and enjoy yourself in the process? Such a refreshing approach. Thank you!

In this follow-up to "Get Into the Zone in Just One Minute," Dr. Granat
gives tennis players the mental edge in his new book,"Zone Tennis." Based on his work with athletes and background in sport psychology, Dr. Granat targets the key factors that can help players to enter this elusive mental state. Players at any level who want to sharpen their mental skills so they can play their best will benefit by reading this insightful book.

This is an insightful book for the beginner and a great refresher for the experienced player. It explains clearly what I have learned from many fine teaching professionals. This book teaches the player how and what to think about before, during, and after a match. Valuable techniques are provided to enhance ones inner game. A must read for those who want to master the game.

Been playing this game for 35 years and can appreciate who good it can be to be in the "Zone" and how difficult it is to stay there. This book can help, as well as providing some basic tips on fundamentals. Liked the chapter on serving. All in all, a good aid and tool for a better Tennis experience.

Zone Tennis is a good read. In today's busy world, it's sometimes hard to sit down and give too much time to one task. This is a great book, though, because you can sit down and read a little at a time -- put it down -- and pick it up again for more tips. Another title could have been "100 Tennis Tips." The book is written by Dr. Granat, who is an authority on psycho-therapy, and knows tennis well. The book is a nice mix of practical everyday tennis advice and applied psycho-therapist methods. As a serious -- and at one point in my life -- competitive tennis tournament player -- I have thought of many of these things before. And some, I have not! Highly recommended.