Win a copy of Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Handbook
Originally published on 16/10/15
Hall-of-Fame tennis coach Nick Bollettieri has trained and mentored ten top-ranked players during his career, including Serena Williams, Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova, all of whom spent time in their formative years at the IMG academy in Florida founded by the 84-year-old in 1978, and where the tennis programme still bears his name.
A private lesson with the man himself costs – brace yourself – $900 an hour. Alternatively, you could pick up Bollettieri’s Tennis Handbook for £18.99 – and, trust us, you’ll need more than an hour to absorb over 60 years of wisdom from one of the great minds of the game. The second edition hits shelves in December.
An update on the 2001 release, it delves into every aspect of the game, from fundamentals such as grips, stance and strokes to physical conditioning, mental preparation and on-court strategies. Bollettieri even devoted a chapter to finding the right racket and strings for your game.
“Our system integrates all aspects of training: physical, technical, tactical, mental, regenerative, and social,” writes Bollettieri. And while the book is more instructional than philosophical, its author’s own views on success in life and tennis are infused into every page.
Inducted in 2014, Bollettieri is one of three International Tennis Hall of Famers, invited primarily for his coaching prowess. Bollettieri joins Harry Hopman – the legendary Australian coach who worked with the likes of John McEnroe – and Robert Johnson, who worked with pioneering African-American champions Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.
“Nick is not just a coach, he's also a friend and someone you can talk to,” Serena Williams said when endorsing the first edition. “As a coach he really knows what to tell a player so that the player will be able to take the next step to be on the top. Nick has personally helped me realise that I need the small things more than the large things.”
Tennishead has three copies of Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Handbook to give away. For your chance to win, simply answer the question below using the form on the right hand side of the page.
Which of the following world No.1 players has Nick Bollettieri not coached?
a) Serena Williams
b) Andre Agassi
c) Roger Federer
The closing date for entries is December 9. No cash alternative will be provided. Tennishead terms and conditions apply.
This competition is no longer open for entries. The winner has been drawn from all the correct entries received by the closing date.
Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here
