Most times, tennis players and athletes in general finish the competition unhappy about their performances. They feel that the potential was there, but a hidden force prevented them from achieving a feel-good performance. Performances, however, are never usually black and white. Most times athletes feel as though they were going through flows, flash-in/flash-out phases. Falls during performance are conventionally defined slumps and are among the most hated between athletes, above all when they feel that the main reason for slumps is not due to technical, tactical, or athletic flash-outs but rather to the mental components of the sport activity. In The Tennis Brain, you will find the following: Journey inside the processes and functions of the human brain Find a neuroscientific-based evidence for theories on the mind and conscious processes Discover why the game of tennis is so prone to mind influences Understand how the mind processes influence tennis game-specific situations Learn how to synchronize brain, body, and mind for best tennis in match performance. Book Endorsements: This work by Federico Di Carlo is a cornerstone among the contemporary research on cognitive neuroscience. The reader is introduced to the exploration and a step by step understanding of the brain and mind mechanisms. Through a fascinating journey in the world of tennis, the author motivates the reader to discover and change wrong behaviours in a positive way. This is a complete manual, useful to both tennis professionals and fans, as well as to anyone aspiring to achieve better results in the game of life (Renzo Ardiccioni, associate professor of communication, Universit du Maine, France). Drawing upon a great number of studies as well as on the authors personal experience, Tennis Brain brings together neurosciences and tennis practice, challenging the readers to critically reconsider some of their habits and beliefs. Di Carlo summarises the extensive research produced in the last three decades and makes it accessible to a wider audience, bringing our understanding of key mental aspects of tennis out of the realm of empirical opinions and into the realm of science and knowledge. Tennis Brain can actually guide the readers to develop their own critical thinking and to learn to improve(Alessandro Bruinen Serio, PhD, founder of RISED [Research for Integrative and Sustainable Development]). Since the first time we met, I was really impressed with Di Carlo well founded opinion, genuine love and immense enthusiasm for a neuroscientific driven tennis which comes out from every single page of The Tennis Brain. Starting from a presentation of the structural and physiological mechanisms of the nervous system and the psychological assets of the mind, Federico Di Carlo uses the tennis court to change the tennis player mind to a positive thinking and correct competitive mentality. For scientific consistency, I compared my thinking on the book with other readers and I received a similar feedback. The Tennis Brain actually might represent a benchmark in the developing field of cognitive neuroscience applied to sport coaching (Prof. Salvatore Guccione, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania).

Tennis is more mentally difficult than most other sports. Because of its one-on-one nature, it feels more important than it is. Competitive matches can become highly stressful, and losing is painful. Emotions tend to get out of hand, with fears and nerves becoming difficult to control. Confidence comes and goes; the scoring system is diabolical; and everyone is at risk of choking, even the greatest players in the world. This book attacks these and other issues faced by players of all levels. Dr. Allen Fox’s solutions are logical and straightforward, and most importantly, they have been tested on court and they work.

The tennis classic from Olympic gold medalist and ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert, now featuring a new introduction with tips drawn from the strategies of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and more, to help you outthink and outplay your toughest opponents. A former Olympic medalist and now one of ESPN’s most respected analysts, Brad Gilbert shares his timeless tricks and tips, including “some real gems” (Tennis magazine) to help both recreational and professional players improve their game. In the new introduction to this third edition, Gilbert uses his inside access to analyze current stars such as Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, showing readers how to beat better players without playing better tennis. Written with clarity and wit, this classic combat manual for the tennis court has become the bible of tennis instruction books for countless players worldwide.

A look at the game of tennis from a sport psychology angle using doubles as the vehicle to describe proactive versus reactive tennis.

Get the advantage—mental strategies for acing tennis. Get your head in the game. Master Your Tennis Game serves up quick mental techniques, tactics, and tips for boosting your overall performance and beating your opponents. Train your brain and be the best tennis player you can be. Concise, fun, and easy to read, this book offers 50 practical and actionable methods that show you how to stay calm and concentrate during any tennis game. Even if your rival is tough competition, outsmart them with these targeted mental approaches. Master Your Tennis Game includes: Streamlined strategies—From choosing your mood music to analyzing your opponent's play style, apply these easy-to-understand tactics to your tennis game right away. Overpower any opponent—Find techniques for beating common play styles, including aggressive baseliner, left-hander, and more. Popular player profiles—From Serena Williams to Roger Federer, learn all about your favorite tennis pros (and their strategies, too!). The ball is in your court. Focus your mind and win the match with these highly effective mental strategies for honing your tennis skills.

"The game with yourself is often tougher than the battle againstany opponent. Smart Tennis shows you how to win the inner matchwhile having fun along the way."--Lindsay Davenport, world's #1ranked player for 1998 Become a More Competent-and Confident-Tennis Player Smart Tennis is the secret weapon that tucks right into your tennisbag. Apply these proven principles of sport psychology to your gameand gain a winning advantage both on and off the courts. "Smart Tennis is a must for players at all levels-from beginners toWimbledon champions! An outstanding book for understanding andimproving your mental game."--Vic Braden, tennis telecaster andresearcher "If you ever want to use the title of this book to describe how youplayed your last match, then Smart Tennis is for you."--DavidHigdon, senior writer,Tennis Magazine "This is an excellent book of psychological skills that can beimmediately applied on the tennis court."--E. Paul Roetert, Ph.D.,Administration of Sports Science, United States Tennis Association

In A Champion’s Mind, the tennis great who so often exhibited visible discomfort with letting people “inside his head” finally opens up. An athletic prodigy, Pete resolved from his earliest playing days never to let anything get in the way of his love for the game. But while this determination led to tennis domination, success didn’t come without a price. Here for the first time Pete speaks freely about the personal trials he faced—including the death of a longtime coach and confidant—and the struggles he gutted his way through while being seemingly on top of the world. Among the book’s most riveting scenes are the devastating early loss that led Pete to make a monastic commitment to the game; fierce on-court battles with Andre Agassi; and the triumphant last match of Pete’s career at the finals of the 2002 U.S. Open. "A thoroughly compelling read that really probes the hard drive of a champion...All the emotion and insight that Sampras seemes reluctant to express during his playing days come spilling forth." —Jon Wertheim, senior writer, Sports Illustrated