The Inner Game of Tennis

The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance

By: W. Timothy Gallwey

Narrated by: Dan Woren

Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

An accessible, invaluable guide to mastering your “inner game” to ensure success on and off the court—part of the bestselling Inner Game series, with more than one million copies sold!

“Groundbreaking . . . [The Inner Game of Tennis is] the best book on tennis that I have ever read, and its profound advice applies to many other parts of life.”—Bill Gates, GatesNotes (“Five of my All-Time Favorite Books”)

Master your game from the inside out!

This phenomenally successful guide has become a touchstone for hundreds of thousands of people. Not just for tennis players, or even just for athletes in general, this handbook works for anybody who wants to improve their performance in any activity, from playing music to getting ahead at work. W. Timothy Gallwey, a leading innovator in sports psychology, reveals how to:

• Focus your mind to overcome nervousness, self-doubt, and distractions
• Find the state of “relaxed concentration” that allows you to play at your best
• Build skills by smart practice, then put it all together in match play

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Gallwey’s engaging voice, clear examples, and illuminating anecdotes will give you the tools you need to succeed.

©1997 W. Timothy Gallwey (P)2007 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Groundbreaking . . . The Inner Game of Tennis is just as relevant today as it was in 1974. . . . It’s the best book on tennis that I have ever read, and its profound advice applies to many other parts of life.”—Bill Gates, GatesNotes (“Five of my All-Time Favorite Books”)

Insightful

good everyman insight into gestalt therapy basics and mindfulness. Nice view into psychology in sports terms and a sort of common language.

Game changer!

A great approach on how you can learn by watching and mimicking instead of call how to do it

Really phenomenal book

The knowledge shared in the book is applicable to all fields of coaching. This book covers a lot of the key learning problems that are associated with a sport. One chapter that stuck out refered to athletes saying: "I know what I am doing wrong, but I cant change it!" is a common phrase heard in athletics. This book reveals the best ways to "change" bad habits and replace them with good ones.
This book follows a clear track, and smooth transitions between subjects. I will definitely read this title and more works by Gallwey in the future.

superb

this isn't just about tennis.
really good lessons about competitiveness, Self 1 versus Self 2, getting into the groove, focusing without over-focusing, and it's a self-described non-Self-Help book.

Game changer… and I don’t play tennis

This is a fantastic exploration of mindset. If you are after this mindset to improve your tennis game: Great! I am not and still found this to be one of the most fascinating audiobooks about mindset I have listened to. I have immediately begun shifting my mind and habits in my running and business.

Excellent guide to self development via tennis

Excellent guide to self development via tennis that is used both to exemplify and apply the need to balance the inner and outer worlds of an individual.

Great listen and philosophy

As someone who’s never played a match in their life it was a little hard to follow tennis specific language. But now listening to this I understand the game and self 2 version in order to think and be ahead of their opponent. Also translating it to real world is very practical.

Amazing insight!

This book is all about quieting your ego (self 1, or the “teller”) and trusting self 2 (the “do-er”) to learn or be free in performance without forcing it. Valuable lessons that help with any kind of anxiety or internal life struggle (in addition to tennis). Wish I had read it sooner as I tend to be stuck in stroke analysis/paralysis often (scouring youtube endlessly for stroke fixes). Great focusing tips as well. This is a book you can re-listen to many times. Excellent!

The message

I wish I had read this in 1974 I would have had a much more satisfying and enjoyable Tennis journey with a lot more success in my 100s of matches. I also would have not ruined my daughter’s tennis journey.

applicable beyond tennis

I don't play tennis.
I love this book.
Provides insights into peak-performance for any endeavor involving "The Zone"