Book Review: "How to Play Better Tennis", Bill Tilden (1950)

New Year 2010 is the 60th year anniversary of Bill Tilden's classic book, first published in 1950, How to Play Better Tennis: A Complete Guide to Technique and Tactics, (Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1950)(reprinted in 1973 by Cornerstone Library, and republished in 2000 by Simon & Schuster.) (See Link on Amazon to Kindle version.)

Tilden wrote the book at the close of his record-setting career, having been voted by the Associated Press Sportwriters of America as the "Greatest Player of Half-Century". He meant the book to provide insights and concepts distilled from a half-century career in tennis.

In his foreword to the book, he remarked: "This book is intended for tennis players... If you are one of the real tennis nuts - and they are legion - this is written for you in the hope that it may fill a real want... If from its pages one player learns something of value that will lift him from just a person who hits a tennis ball to that very different status - a tennis player - I am indeed rewarded."

Six decades after its publication, and even after monumental changes in the sport, the book still surprisingly retains valuable teachings still relevant to today's player and game...The book is divided into 4 Parts and 18 Chapters. It covers tennis foundations, strokes and their uses, match play tactics and psychology and some conclusions, with black and white illustrations and examples. In the words of the publisher in 1973, each chapter is a lesson from the Master himself.

New York Times sportswriter Allison Danzig wrote in 1973: "William Tilden has no superior in lawn tennis as a master of stroke production and tactics. His command of spin and pace, his knowledge of the game and his footwork have never been surpassed...[The book] is as pertinent, commands just as much respect and should be every bit as helpful, as was the book when first published in 1950." The same could largely be said today.

The best way to review this book is to quote extensively from Tilden himself on various relevant tennis topics. You are invited to read the entire book for much more detail about his ideas in his interesting writing style...

On Playing Tennis
"I urge you - Play Tennis! Tennis the most valuable sport that any individual can learn...It is the most universally played of all athletics and its rules are the same the world over...Language is no barrier to tennis players, since whether a ball is out or in can be seen and understood without spoken words. Tennis, by its small requirements of time and playing space, and it comparatively inexpensive equipment, lies within the reach of practically everyone. The tremendous increase in public courts in almost all cities has taken the game away from the classes and put it in the hands of the masses, which is a healthy and splendid thing in every way."

On the Game of Tennis"There is nothing mysterious about tennis. It is a game of sound, scientific principles, that anyone with an average mind and body can learn to play well if he will take the trouble to work at it."

On Tennis and Fitness
"The greatest benefit that tennis gives its followers is the means to keep physically fit. It is a game that can be played practically from the cradle to the grave - and it is apt to aid in postponing the latter many years...It is a game that can be carried on along with practically any form of human endeavor. The businessman, doctor, lawyer, actor, singer, writer, etc. are all able to find enough leisure time to play, and by so doing, increase their productivity by better physical condition."

On Learning from History and Past Champions
"The champion of today owes his game to the champions of yesterday, just as he will add his bit to the champion of tomorrow. The wise student should know all he can about the styles and methods of the great players of the past, every bit as much as he does of the players of the present."

On the Importance of Racquet Head Control
"[The] all-important fact...is the head of the racquet and only the head of the racquet returns a ball in tennis...Power - speed and pace- is controlled completely by the manner in which the head of the racquet is swung against the ball in hitting it...The player who will always have his racquet head hit the ball solidly and travel directly into and through the line of his shot will always have complete control of his strokes...The greatest tennis motto I know is: "Let your racquet head do the work".

On the Mind's Intention Behind the Shot"Tennis should always be played with the head consciously directing the racquet. Every shot should be played with a definite intention behind it, one that will make it of value to the player that hits it."

On What is a Tennis Player?"The viewpoint on tennis that stamps a tennis player is that the game is a science and an art. It can reach its highest expression only if a player can study and practice in an effort to master the game in all its varied facets...Remember always that even more can be learned in defeat than in victory, if you suffered that defeat when you gave your best."

On Footwork"The reason that correct footwork is so vital to good stroke production is that correct footwork furnishes an automatic way to bring the racquet head into a position to hit directly into and through the line of the stroke...One universal feature is to be found in the games of all great players...They never seem to be hurried...Watching [them], one gains the impression that they glide or float to the ball."

On Concentration"The first great fundamental of tennis is to train yourself to concentrate so that you never stop concentrating while on the court. This applies when you are learning the technique of the game, when practicing shots, or playing in practice, but above all, when playing matches."

On Shot Preparation"The great player prepares his shot on the way to it, while the lesser player starts to prepare it when he reaches the ball."

On Strokes"Strokes are the weapons with which you fight your tennis battles. The better your weapons, the greater the chance of victory. Still you must remember that weapons alone never won a war. It is the way in which they are used that determines their usefulness...[they] are not the end, but a means to an end...never be satisfied to be just a shot-maker..."

On the Net Game"The net game - the volley and overhead smash - represents the ultimate attack in tennis. It is the crushing offensive that either blasts the opponent off the court or wrecks itself by the very fury of its own attack."

On Courage in Tennis"Courage embodies patience, philosophy, and the vision, to lift your eyes to the goal far ahead. It is the ability, in spite of discouragement, disheartening disappointments, even apparent failure, never to lose sight of the goal, or belief in yourself and your ultimate victory."

On Match Play and Tennis Psychology"Keep the ball in play and give your opponent another shot at it...Play a defensive game with an offensive mental attitude...Never give your opponent a shot he likes to play if you can avoid it...Never change a winning game...Always change a losing game...

On the Ideas and Philosophy in the Book"I am hoping that [they help] contribute to the return of the balanced, intelligent game. [If so], I can feel it is the climax to my tennis, and can lay down my racquet with a sense of complete contentment and fulfillment."

Best Wishes!
Gary