Tennis Hits the Books
Tennis books were a prominent fixture on the bookshelves of my childhood home. Before this post, I would have sworn that there were many titles by Vic Braden in that collection. It is a false memory. Braden only published one book that roughly corresponds to my junior tennis days. However, his philosophies on tennis permeated the foundations of my tennis belief system.
Vic Braden’s Laugh and Win at Doubles was originally published in 1996, a full decade and change from when I graduated high school. That being said, the book contains the wit and wisdom that was instilled into my doubles play throughout my junior playing days. It feels like a book that was published much earlier than it was.
The primary contribution of Laugh and Win at Doubles is Braden’s philosophy on how to compete in the game of tennis. The “Laugh and Win” approach is detailed in the introduction chapter. It contains timeless advice and observations that having fun is at the core of winning tennis. While hard work is undeniably essential, enjoying the experience is a key foundational component.
“Play as hard and as well as you can and have fun doing it; the winning will fall into place.”
Vic Braden
Braden also makes sharp observations on how players can effectively transition from singles to doubles. I have long held the belief that I am more naturally wired for singles rather than doubles play. Braden’s thoughts on the psychological and philosophical differences between the two games resonated with me. I am anticipating that it will be very helpful as I continue my doubles improvement personal journey.
Last weekend I was watching the Men’s 55 doubles finals at the Level 2 Westwood Senior Championships. One of the players in the match was moving about a meter into the court when returning serve, taking the ball on the rise, and moving swiftly to the net. He was the best returner on the court during that match. As I verbalized that I wish I could do that, one of my competitors at the event laughed and told me that I can. Well, maybe not the swift part.
Hitting the ball on the rise is one of the tactics of effective doubles play outlined by Braden. He particularly emphasizes that point when returning in doubles. It takes time away from the serving team and shortens the distance the returning player has to cover to reach the net.
Laugh and Win at Doubles also presents a detailed outline on how to scout opponents for doubles. I have been practicing my doubles scouting this week by watching on-demand doubles matches from the French Open against that list. I am always on the lookout for ways to hone tennis skills with my butt firmly planted on the couch.
As an interesting aside, the book I purchased from a used bookstore had a name and address written in the front cover. It happens to be a player I casually know from league play in Dallas. I sent her a text and a screenshot of it. It was a long time ago, but apparently she loaned it out to another player and it never came back. I am hoping she doesn’t ask for me to return her copy.
Vic Braden’s Laugh and Win At Doubles contains philosophical foundations of playing effective doubles. I recommend it for anyone who wants to fuel their brain with the wit and wisdom that can lead to improved doubles play. It is long out of print, but copies are readily available on the secondary market.
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