Summary of Brad Gilbert & Steve Jamison's Winning Ugly

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1 The first lesson I learned when I turned pro in 1982 was how much an edge could be gained before the match even started. The top players came expecting to have me for lunch, and they’d been thinking about taking that first bite since they found out I was on the menu.

#2 The first lesson I learned when I turned pro in 1982 was how much an edge could be gained before the match even started. The top players came expecting to have me for lunch, and they’d been thinking about taking that first bite since they found out I was on the menu.

#3 The warm-up should begin with your brain. It should evaluate your opponent and think about the match before you arrive at the court. If you drive to the match, your warm-up begins with your car.

#4 The first lesson I learned when I turned pro in 1982 was how much an edge could be gained before the match even started. The top players came expecting to have me for lunch, and they’d been thinking about taking that first bite since they found out I was on the menu.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Sep 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798350031423

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

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Insights on Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison's Winning Ugly

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The top players came expecting to have me for lunch, and they’d been thinking about taking that first bite since they found out I was on the menu. They arrived ready to eat. The main course. Glazed Gilbert.

#2

The guys making money out there were the ones who were able to spot opportunities and take advantage of them before anyone else. They were able to do this by looking, listening, and losing.

#3

The warm-up begins with your brain. You should evaluate your opponent and think about the match before you arrive at the court. If you drive to the match, your warm-up begins with your car. If you walk to the courts, then the sidewalk is where it happens.

#4

It is important to consider the personality of the game your opponent produces. I want to be mentally and emotionally ready for the fast play of Andre Agassi or the deliberate methodical match tempo of Ivan Lendl.

#5

The process of review is the same for both players. It leads into the equally important process of planning your strategy. By evaluating your opponent, you start solidifying your own approach to the match.

#6

Your pre-match preparation creates a mental compass. You know where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. You’re thinking, Hey, Brad. Gimme a break! I’ve got a life. I can’t be thinking about tennis all the time.

#7

I began using my pre-match opportunities to prepare for matches. I would mentally review how my opponent could attack my weak second serve, and how I could exploit it for maximum effect. I would serve wide to his forehand, look for an opportunity to hit a forehand approach shot to his backhand, and then follow it in and camp near the alley.

#8

I mentally prepare myself for the game ahead by remembering not to be intimidated by Boris Becker’s presence. I want him to see me busting my buns for everything, throwing everything back, and never giving up.

#9

My procedure for playing against Boris is to increase my first serve percentage, serve to his forehand regularly, try to create mistakes on his forehand, don’t try to do too much with my service return, and work hard on every point.

#10

I used this plan against Becker in the 1987 U. S. Open. I was close to the point of no return, and Boris knew it. I knew that if I could somehow claw out of this third set, it might have a negative effect on Boris. I felt that if I could win the third set, I could win the match.

#11

The noise of the jets flying overhead did not bother me at all, but when I was struggling, the distractions became crippling. I just wanted to get out of there.

#12

I had won the fourth set, 7–5. The crowd was cheering for me, and I was pumped up and confident. I had won the match, but Boris was still playing.

#13

I was