Review by Lisa Musgrave & Gwenda Ward

Kirk Anderson, co-author of 14 books on coaching and teaching tennis, says “This is the book I’ve always wanted to write.” This slim volume does not discuss technique like most tennis books, but emphasizes knowing who you are on the tennis court, maximizing your strengths and exploiting opponents’ weaknesses. He provides chapters on practice time, decision making, shot selection, preparation, and competition, among others. His bullet-point summary at the end of each chapter condenses main points with clarity. Inspiring and thought-provoking quotes appear often throughout the book such as “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” –Winston Churchill.

My favorite themes are about preparing to do your best, not obsessing about winning, enjoying the challenge to play well, and using the lessons learned from a match as valuable feedback. While this book will be an important tool for all players, I hope that many younger players--and their coaches--will find it, use it, and treasure it. Its themes of positivity, effort, belief in yourself and your plan, and constant growth, are valuable ones for everyone in tennis, sports, and life.

Kirk Anderson taught tennis for more than 50 years. He is one of 13 individuals in the world to earn the designation of Master Professional by both the United States Professional Tennis Association and the Professional Tennis Registry. He spent 20 years as the Director of Coaching Education for the United States Tennis Association. He has received many awards, most recently being inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame.

Tennis Beyond Lessons is available on Amazon here as well as on Kindle.