This hardcover edition does not have a dustjacket. Instead, the cover image is printed directly on the book itself. The interior of the book matches the paperback edition. The timeless guide to achieving the state of “relaxed concentration” that’s not only the key to peak performance in tennis but the secret to success in life itself—part of the bestselling Inner Game series, with more than one million copies sold! “Groundbreaking . . . the best guide to getting out of your own way . . . Its profound advice applies to many other parts of life.”—Bill Gates, GatesNotes (“Five of My All-Time Favorite Books”)   This phenomenally successful guide to mastering the game from the inside out has become a touchstone for hundreds of thousands of people. Billie Jean King has called the book her tennis bible; Al Gore has used it to focus his campaign staff; and Itzhak Perlman has recommended it to young violinists. Based on W. Timothy Gallwey’s profound realization that the key to success doesn’t lie in holding the racket just right, or positioning the feet perfectly, but rather in keeping the mind uncluttered, this transformative book gives you the tools to unlock the potential that you’ve possessed all along.   “The Inner Game” is the one played within the mind of the player, against the hurdles of self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses in concentration. Gallwey shows us how to overcome these obstacles by trusting the intuitive wisdom of our bodies and achieving a state of “relaxed concentration.” With chapters devoted to trusting the self and changing habits, it is no surprise then, that Gallwey’s method has had an impact far beyond the confines of the tennis court.   Whether you want to play music, write a novel, get ahead at work, or simply unwind after a stressful day, Gallwey shows you how to tap into your utmost potential. No matter your goals, The Inner Game of Tennis gives you the definitive framework for long-term success. “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”) “A Zen classic for all of us. The Inner Game gave me faith. It convinced me that I only needed to get out of my own way.” — The Washington Post “W. Timothy Gallwey’s handbook has been holy writ for generations of hackers and better players as well. Now it’s been reissued in a special 50th-anniversary edition as sleek as a Roger Federer backhand up the line.” — The Wall Street Journal “In the history of coaching, this is a revolutionary moment. W. Timothy Gallwey discovers that performance is all about focus. The Inner Game of Tennis is not just a tennis book . . . because inner voices torture all of us—not just country-club tennis players.” —Michael Lewis, author of The Big Short W. Timothy Gallwey ’s international bestseller The Inner Game of Tennis , first published in 1974, put forth principles and methods for learning and coaching that have since been applied to the achievement of excellence in the worlds of business, health, and education. Widely acknowledged as the godfather of the current coaching movement, he has spent five decades inspiring successful organizations globally including clients like Apple, AT&T, The Coca-Cola Company, and Rolls Royce. His books have led many to realize that the Inner Game holds the key to the outer game of their lives. Chapter One Reflections on the  Mental Side of Tennis The problems which most perplex tennis players are not those dealing with the proper way to swing a racket. Books and professionals giving this information abound. Nor do most players complain excessively about physical limitations. The most common complaint of sportsmen ringing down the corridors of the ages is, “It’s not that I don’t know what to do, it’s that I don’t do what I know!” Other common complaints that come constantly to the attention of the tennis pro: I play better in practice than during the match. I know exactly what I’m doing wrong on my forehand, I just can’t seem to break the habit. When I’m really trying hard to do the stroke the way it says to in the book, I flub the shot every time. When I concentrate on one thing I’m supposed to be doing, I forget something else. Every time I get near match point against a good player, I get so nervous I lose my concentration. I’m my own worst enemy; I usually beat myself. Most players of any sport run into these or similar difficulties frequently, but it is not so easy to gain practical insight into how to deal with them. The player is often left with such warmed-over aphorisms as “Well, tennis is a very psychological game, and you have to develop the proper mental attitudes” or “You have to be confident and possess the will to win or else you’ll always be a loser.” But how can one “be confident” or develop the “proper