Brad Gilbert

Brad Gilbert is a former professional tennis player and coach who became widely known for his strategic approach to tennis and his subsequent career as an author and commentator. His most influential work is the 1993 book "Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis," which has become a classic text on tennis strategy and psychology. As a player, Gilbert reached a career-high ranking of World No. 4 and won 20 singles titles on the ATP Tour between 1982 and 1994. He notably coached Andre Agassi during one of the most successful periods of Agassi's career, from 1994 to 2002, and later worked with Andy Roddick and Andy Murray. Gilbert's writing style combines technical tennis knowledge with practical psychology, focusing on how players can maximize their potential through strategic thinking rather than pure talent. His experience as both a professional player and coach has informed his analytical approach to tennis literature. His contributions to tennis extend beyond writing, as he currently serves as a tennis analyst for ESPN, where he provides technical commentary and strategic insights during major tournaments. Gilbert's work has influenced how players and coaches approach the mental aspects of competitive tennis.

Readers appreciate Gilbert's conversational writing style and practical tennis strategy advice. His book "Winning Ugly" receives consistent praise for breaking down mental tactics and gameplay analysis in an accessible way. Tennis players at various skill levels report implementing his techniques successfully. Readers like: - Clear explanations of opponent analysis - Specific examples from professional matches - Focus on mental preparation and strategy - Humor and engaging tone - Concrete tips that can be applied immediately Common criticisms: - Repetitive points and examples - Self-promotional tone in some sections - Basic advice that experienced players may find obvious Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Many reviews mention seeing immediate improvement in their game after applying Gilbert's methods. As one reader noted: "Finally understood why I was losing to less skilled players - this book helped me start winning those matches."

Winning Ugly (1993) A guide to tennis strategy and mental tactics, drawing from Gilbert's professional experience as both player and coach.

I've Got Your Back: Coaching Top Performers from Center Court to the Corner Office (2004) An examination of how coaching principles from professional tennis can be applied to business leadership and management.