Winning Ugly

Winning is hard enough when you believe in your shots. It’s impossible when you let yourself become a doubter. Remove doubt with your own short-term memory loss and I promise you’ll get results worth remembering. A good way to do that is after a loss to write down what you did right during the match; take something positive out of the negative. (Location 171)

Tim Gallwey’s book, The Inner Game of Tennis , focused on the right-brain, or intuitive process. Brad’s focus is on the left-brain, or analytical process. Gallwey pursued the joys of playing. Brad pursues the joys of winning. Gallwey was concerned with the “inner game.” Brad is concerned with knowing what’s going on right in front of him and taking advantage of it. (Location 234)

Smart Tennis Is a Three-Step Process

1. Recognize your opportunity.

2. Analyze your options.

3. Capitalize on the opportunity by using the best option.

Recognize. Analyze. Capitalize.

That applies before, during, and after a match to all aspects of the game: mental, physical, and emotional. It even involves your equipment. Example? Opportunity exists early with the spin of the racket. You should recognize it. Depending on your opponent and the conditions, you should choose and capitalize on the right option. (Location 280)