Theories of the Game

The Secret Game of Tennis, Part 1

by Jack W. Broudy

This is the first in a series of five articles which will be featured in TennisONE over the next few months. This series is based on Jack Broudy's new book tentatively entitled, "The Secret Game of Tennis."

See Part 2

I constantly get letters and email from all over the world addressing the issue of a "tennis dance" or of a type of "tennis Zen" that players experience and are drawn to through their own games. These people seem to be growing in numbers, becoming a silent majority that have more interest in the aesthetic and eclectic mysteries of the game, rather than those just interested in developing the ego stroke or bragging rights. This is the first in a series of five (or more) articles exploring this illusive and secret game of tennis. It is an internal game of balance and harmony that is expressed outwardly by effortless, fluid strokes, a pleasant, confident disposition, and a passion for the game that goes far beyond the score-a game where love means everything. It is a game of love of sport, love of life.

There is a practical way to achieve this flow and connection with the ball through ancient practices, positive imagery and geometric principles. Presently I coach several ranked juniors, including two #1 and one #2 Southern California players. They've all learned to create this tennis lifestyle for themselves: becoming happier, healthier, even-tempered, confident and beautiful young players, contrary to the many introverted, overtrained, cocky, ill-mannered or just plain miserable tennis brats you see too often in the junior ranks. Remember, in tennis as in life, you are either a hero or a casualty through your experiences. Your tennis either helps you or it hurts you.

If you are one of those players who thinks that tennis is a way of exploring one's soul, and if you're someone who has a burning desire to understand, to play and to feel like this type of "real player," then you're ready to learn the steps to this sacred dance and discover the secret game of tennis. Not only will this dance change your attitude, but your physical game will become an endless flow of effortless power and control. Each experience you have on the court will have a cumulative effect on your game and on your relationship with yourself. You will create a new practice for yourself that will educate, rejuvenate and simply enhance your daily life, forever.

The good news today is that you don't have to spend every waking hour practicing. Once you "get it" (in the groove), you don't lose it. These top juniors I coach lead normal young lives, playing other sports, learning violin and piano, and enjoying inspired on-court practice two to four times per week. There's no desperation or anxiety involved once you have the right formulas combined with the right attitude--a tennis wellness type of approach to your game. Forget the standard approaches to tennis and shift into a new way of thinking and a new way of playing the game. Leave behind your present belief systems (regarding your tennis) for the next few months and you'll see you won't have to sacrifice anything for your tennis wellness. The only thing you'll have to give up are the frustrations and losses that occur as a result of your tennis and the "hit and miss" approach, the "good days, bad days" syndrome.

It's time for you to begin your own journey and your personal quest for this "holy tennis grail," that you'll continue to discover each time you step on the court. You'll learn to think and feel like an "open player" as your game unfolds and evolves. You'll take pride in your tennis and your self. Basically a new tennis lifestyle will emerge that will increase your enjoyment, your ability to focus, and renew your enthusiasm on and off the court. Let the secret game begin...

A Prelude to Article 2. The Geometry of Tennis

Generally speaking, one takes a typical tennis lesson and hears that there is a starting place, middle and a finish to the stroke, and from there both the student and the pro just try to figure out the space contained within--usually by hitting countless numbers of balls.

However, there is a geometry to the game that can be seen in the great groundstrokers such as Rios, Agassi and Hingis. It all begins with the "Infinity" sign or Figure 8 lemniscate [a geometric figure]. That geometric figure is the basis, or the blueprint for fluid, effortless, controlled and balanced groundstokes.

This article will be featured in next month's issue of Tennis One.

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