Richard Álvaro Gonzales, more popularly referred to as “Pancho,” was an American tennis legend known for his powerful serve, fierce competitiveness, and dominance in the sport. The self-taught player from Los Angeles rose to prominence as a two-time U.S. National Champion as an amateur before turning professional in 1949. For the ensuing decade, he was one of the most formidable figures in professional tennis. Despite facing racial and financial obstacles, Gonzales’ unmatched athleticism and colorful personality made him one of the greatest players in tennis history.
In 1962, Gonzales authored a book simply titled Tennis in collaboration with Gladys Heldman and Dick Hawk. It was billed on the cover as “The Complete Tennis Book,” featuring instruction, equipment, clothing, and the official rules of lawn tennis. In the 50+ years since that book was published, a lot has changed in the sport. For example, tennis racquets have evolved significantly from wooden frames with small heads. Modern racquets use graphite/composite materials and have larger dimensions to enhance power. Consequently, instructional techniques have adapted accordingly, emphasizing different grips, faster swing speeds, topspin-heavy strokes, and more aggressive play. Similarly, the rules of the sport have been significantly revised and I don’t see clothing fashion reverting back to what was expected in the early 1960s any time soon.
Nevertheless, this book contains valuable insight that can still help modern players. As a dominant server, Gonzales emphasizes the importance of that shot, as should be expected. However, his insight into how to maximize the effectiveness of that stroke is still valid to this day. Tennis also shares the legend’s perspective on the return of serve as the second most important shot of the game after the serve. Perhaps the most valuable advice from the strategy side of the book is unique insight into where to stand when serving and receiving in various tactical scenarios. For example, Gonzales recommends serving from different positions on the baseline when playing singles against a left-handed player, an idea I had previously not encountered.
This book also offers Gonzales’ perspectives on the best practice methods. He emphasizes the importance of developing consistency and keeping the ball deep in the opponent’s court. Like many other great players in the game, he is a big fan of the backboard and hitting “boxes” of serves using targets.
Currently, Tennis is better positioned as a historical document rather than for its originally intended instructional value. It is a written and visual time capsule of the sport as it was played in 1962. Additionally, it includes a biographical section on Gonzales written by Gladys Heldman, one of the most influential tennis writers and publishers in the history of American tennis.
The inclusion of the game’s official rules as they stood in the early 1960s provides a point of reference for the significant structural revisions that have occurred in the intervening time. For tennis historians, this book offers an invaluable perspective on how much the sport has evolved.
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For fans of Pancho Gonzales and tennis historians, Tennis is a valuable resource. While some of the material is outdated, Gonzales’ strategic insights and competitive mindset remain relevant. More than just a guide, the book captures a pivotal era in tennis history, showcasing how the game has evolved. Whether you’re a Gonzales admirer or a student of the sport, this book offers a compelling glimpse into tennis’s past.
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