ENJOY YOUR GAME - Why tennis is the most beautiful game of life - and how you always win! That's the title of the tennis book by Patrik Kühnen and Felix Grewe, . It's a book that brings joy from the moment you pick it up and leaf through it. At least, that's how it was for me when I had the pleasure of reading it during my tennis holiday over Easter. And the enjoyment continued throughout all 274 pages. With this book, the two tennis enthusiasts, Patrik and Felix, have created a guide that isn't just for tennis players. In every chapter, alongside tennis tips, they offer a wealth of advice for a joyful and fulfilling life. It's a guide that offers a great deal of practical application, from the tennis court to everyday life . It's packed with anecdotes, concrete exercises for your tennis game, and tips for your general well-being. And now you're probably eager to hear our review of this tennis book, which is actually so much more. So read on quickly and let my enthusiasm rub off on you!
It gets off to a great start: Michael Stich insisted on writing the foreword to the book. He succinctly captures what the essence of tennis should be – regardless of skill level. Tennis should be seen as a game that brings joy, not as work. The book continues in this spirit with a warm-up by the two authors, Patrik Kühnen and Felix Grewe, who concisely and clearly explain how and why this book came about.
Let's dive right into first chapter , titled "Concentration & Focus ." Even before opening the book, you're greeted by some beautifully and colorfully designed pages. Roger Federer is featured and quoted, explaining why he simply enjoys playing tennis, regardless of success or failure. Such relevant quotes from tennis and sports legends are woven throughout the book, offering a brief respite and prompting reflection each time. I found myself rereading many of these quotes multiple times or flipping back to them because they are so insightful and to the point.
But back to concentration and focus: the most frequent distraction during a tennis match is in our heads, derailing our thoughts. Joy of the game turns into gnashing of teeth and self-doubt. Here, the two authors offer excellent advice on how to get a handle on that inner voice. Concrete instructions (write down your critical inner voices and their statements), anecdotes from Felix's and Patrik's "diaries" wonderfully lighten the topic and introduce further solutions from various situations and experiences.
For those familiar with Timothy Gallwey's book "The Inner Game" or the Mental Match Play methodology derived from it, this chapter will not contain new content. However, the diary entries and various quotes offer a wonderful change of pace from the solutions, which are certainly familiar to some.
Chapter 2, "Training & Preparation," continues with numerous exercises designed to increase training enjoyment and ultimately improve competition efficiency. What does training mean to you, and how do you approach it consciously? Here, the authors highlight the differences between performance and learning goals Visualization is a crucial learning tool , and the authors provide readers with several fundamental and easily understandable exercises.
Of course, after training, we with Chapter 3 "Competition & Analysis ." We've all been there: everything goes smoothly in training, but in a match, you feel the pressure, which can sometimes feel incredibly heavy and paralyzing in your arms or legs. Patrik and Felix offer a wealth of tips and tricks on how to handle pressure situations. These include various breathing techniques that can bring relaxation. However, more enjoyment of the game comes not only from playing more relaxed and breathing well, but also from less self-criticism and a more relaxed approach to external, unchangeable factors. For all these areas, the authors provide concise and practical tips that everyone should try.
And what if things still don't go so well? That's what Chapter 6, "Defeats & Crises," . Dealing with defeats is examined from various perspectives. How can you make peace with defeats?
Chapter 7, "Tennis & Life," begins with a wonderful story by and about Niki Pilic. The stories attempt to draw parallels between tennis and "other" life. Much of what we tennis players experience on the court finds many parallels in real life. Personally, I find this chapter veers a bit too much into the "happiness & gratitude" territory. It contains many of the same approaches found in self-help literature on happiness. While I find the drawing of parallels itself wonderful and appropriate, I think it could have been toned down a bit.
The final chapter is the "finale" between the two authors: a recording of a conversation between Felix and Patrik, made after the completion of chapter five. You almost feel like you're sitting at the table with them. They revisit certain sections of the book, examining and discussing them from a slightly different perspective than in the printed version. A fantastic and successful finale!
Before we get to the content: the book is a joy to read simply because of its stunning layout . A huge compliment to the layout designer!
But the content is every bit as good as the layout. It's a book that reads easily and smoothly, yet also prompts reflection and introspection in many places. And it offers a wealth of concrete solutions for (supposedly) tennis-specific issues. Wonderfully written and incredibly varied. In my opinion, the two authors create an atmosphere where you feel as if they're sitting right next to you, reading from their diaries. You can let yourself be transported to countless tennis courts and into countless conversations. Immersing yourself completely – it works wonderfully! A huge thank you to Patrik and Felix for that! Not many self-help authors manage to be so approachable. And that creates a great deal of enjoyment and is a real benefit for every reader! A book that every tennis fan should read and an ideal gift.
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