Favorite Tennis Resources

Welcome to my Tennis Fixation favorite tennis resources section! This is a curated list of the tools and materials that I believe can make a huge impact on your game. I have tested out every single resource on this page to make sure I recommend only the best stuff to you. Many of these resources definitely took my tennis play to a much higher level. So if you're looking for great gear, effective instructional materials, or stuff that just makes tennis more fun, look no further. My very favorite tennis resources are right here!

Before digging into these awesome resources, please be aware: some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase using these links, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. and this does not influence my opinion of these items. I always tell the absolute truth about every item that I recommend and review. Please do not spend any money on any of these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you to achieve your tennis goals. Thanks!

TENNIS BOOKS

I read a lot of tennis books. These are the ones that have had the biggest impact on my game. I believe every serious player should read every one of these books, multiple times!

Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis – Lessons from a Master by Brad Gilbert and Steve Jamison

If you don't own a single tennis book, this is the one you need to get right away. I highly recommend Winning Ugly for any tennis player who is serious about leveling up their game. This was one of the first tennis books that I ever bought and it's one that continues to be useful as it’s packed with all kinds of actionable tennis tips that you can easily apply right now to your tennis play to make you a better, more-winning player.  Plus Gilbert has lots of interesting stories about his time on the tour and some of the greats he came up against and often beat despite the odds. And – bonus – I drove him around for a tennis tournament one time and he was a very nice guy.

Arthur Ashe on Tennis: Strokes, Strategy, Traditions, Players, Psychology, and Wisdom by Arthur Ashe and Alexander McNab

I love this book! It wasn’t too long after I took up tennis that I picked up Arthur Ashe’s book, Arthur Ashe on Tennis. His book was published in 1995, after his death. So Ashe was not around to see all of the changes we see on the pro circuit today – powerful racquets, indestructible strings, open-stance strokes, exaggerated grips. But you and I aren’t playing on the pro circuit (at least I don’t think we are), so a lot of the points he makes in his book are still valid for recreational players like us, out to have fun and play some competitive tennis. His book is wonderful and so easy to read and gives lots and lots of bullet-point tips on strokes and strategy.

The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey

When I first started playing tennis, I was a mental basket case. Reading this book basically calmed me down and helped me focus on what was really important on the court (which wasn't how horrible my serve looked or how awful my backhand was). This book talks you through the concept of becoming less judgmental of what you’re doing as you play tennis and gives you specific examples and tips on how to focus on the game and be present when you’re playing. For me, re-reading this book always brings me back to a calmer state of mind. And that’s something I definitely need help with and I’ll bet you do too.

Tennis Beyond Big Shots by Greg Moran

If I could pick any tennis book that I wish I had read when I first started playing, it would have to be Tennis Beyond Big Shots. This is truly a great book about playing “real” tennis. The philosophy of Tennis Beyond Big Shots is pretty simple – it shows you how to look at tennis in a new way, so that you play smarter rather than hitting harder. It explains how you can improve all of your tennis strokes. It gives you plenty of simple tactics and strategies you can put into effect to build a better winning game. And it also is packed with some inside tennis scoop that is often hard to come by – things like how to work with a pro, how to maintain good relations with your partners and pros, and even some basic tennis etiquette.

Real Tennis Tips for Real Tennis Players: Simple Tips to Help You Play Better Tennis Fast by Kim Selzman

Hey! Isn't this my book? Well, yes it is! My book, Real Tennis Tips, collects tons of tennis tips all in one place. It has always been my belief that, if you're an average, everyday player, a “real” tennis player, you can learn to play better tennis quickly by applying some “real” tennis tips to your game. Tips that work and can truly improve your game. Real Tennis Tips For Real Tennis Players is a book packed with useful tips on all aspects of the game, with chapters like “Pre-Match Preparation & The Warm-Up” and “The Serve & The Return.” If you're not a professional athlete, if you don't want to waste your time and money on unproductive private lessons, and if you've been frustrated with your lack of on-court improvement, Real Tennis Tips will help you play better tennis fast.