This week’s book choice was made in a wonderfully serendipitous way. With my tennis off-season officially underway, I decided that my next several reviews should focus on training titles. To make the selection process simple, I walked to the far end of the shelf that holds most of my tennis training books and committed to reviewing the first one I had not yet covered. I privately hoped the next book in line would be relatively short, as we have a lot going on on the medical front this week. The stars aligned because I wound up with a very short book.
The Player’s Hitlist was written by Neil Adams, who happens to be someone I recognize from USTA Texas meetings. I am fairly certain we have never officially met, although there is a non-zero chance that I am mistaken. However, I distinctly remember sitting in the audience as he received the Lloyd Sessions Educational Merit Award from the Texas Section in 2024. If the copy I picked up in a used bookstore was not already autographed, I could probably easily get that remedied at the next USTA Texas meeting.
The first thing that stands out about this book is its brevity. It is not a narrative, a coaching manual, or a training philosophy. It is a compact collection of well-organized checklists. That sounds simple, but it is not simplistic. The checklists cover a wide range of topics that every competitive player encounters, from creating game plans and scouting opponents to navigating adversity and resolving disputes. There is even a structured approach for handling bad calls that players at any level would do well to study.
Some sections are dated because the book was published in 1995, and a lot has changed since then. For example, paper maps and printed draws were a standard way tennis conducted business back then. Even so, there is enduring value in the written format, particularly because this physical book can be carried onto the court as the rules allow players to carry and consult written coaching notes during matches. The Player’s Hitlist functions as a turnkey version of that concept. As much as I would love to see an updated digital edition, the printed copy may actually be its most valuable form. It can be tucked into a bag and used exactly when it is needed most.
What makes this book especially effective is the systematic clarity it brings to tasks that many players know they should be doing but rarely execute consistently. Scouting, game planning, mental preparation, and troubleshooting all become easier when the steps are laid out plainly. For players who struggle to translate intentions into actions, this book removes excuses and creates structure.
It is also an excellent resource for the off-season, which is the phase I am currently in. The checklists offer a thoughtful way to train with purpose, build habits, and review areas that often get neglected when life gets busy. The material also maps cleanly onto pre-event preparation. The written checklists, in particular, would be helpful before a big tournament or important league match.
Although this book remains highly useful, it is also very much out of print. Copies surface only through resellers, and the few that appear on Amazon tend to command premium prices. That scarcity is unfortunate, because the material deserves wider circulation. For readers who enjoy hunting down hidden gems, this is one that is worth the effort.
In the end, The Player’s Hitlist is a great example of the old truth that less is more. The book is short and concise, but the value density is exceptionally high. Every page delivers something actionable. For players who want to compete, prepare, and problem-solve more effectively, this slim volume punches far above its weight.
The Player’s Hitlist (<- Sponsored Link)
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