Cliff Richey - Acing Depression. A Tennis Champions Toughest Match

N ot so long ago I received a call from my friend Cliff Richey. Over the years, we have stayed in touch, so I thought it was one of those catch up calls. You know the ones: Hows the family? Playing any golf? Everything OK? But this one was different. It wasnt the same old Cliffthis one was more serious. Out came the question. Jimmy, I have just written a book with my daughter and would like for you to write the foreword. WellI must say, I was flattered. Sure, I said, What is the gist of the book? When he told me it was about his battling depression, I suddenly remembered some of our past conversations from years ago and his admitting to me that he was having a tough time. He was depressed constantly and it was affecting his life and the lives of those around him.

Let me be clear, I am no doctor and dont pretend to be. But I know Cliff Richey. Our paths first crossed almost 40 years ago. I was a young upstart on the professional tennis circuit, and Cliffwell, he was the one to beat. He was what I wanted to watch and try to learn from. He had that never-say-die attitude and the will to win at all costs. Grind it out till the end and after the match was over, he would be satisfied that he had no regrets.

I learned a lot about Cliff just by watching him practice. He would put every ounce of energy he had into every shot. He had his own style and his own attitude and he really wasnt looking to please anyone but himself. He played boldly and was willing to take the good with the bad. He never made any excuses.

What made Cliff Richey what he was on the tennis court has certainly carried over into this book. His story has taken a subject, depressionwhich has affected him personallyand put it out there for everyone to see. Depression has been a subject that no one really talks about. Few people even admit to having such a condition. But Cliff is not afraid to be bold and reveal what he has gone through and what it takes to get a handle on this disease. He has the ability (as a well-known sports personality) to use his celebrity to bring attention to a condition that affects millions of people around the world. His courage to step forward and admit his problem is one thing, but to have a book written about itwell, I told you I admired his guts. This is just one more accomplishment for Cliff to add to his legacy. He goes beyond the idea that you have to be a man and just deal with it. He opens up with vulnerability about a cause he now stands for.

As you read this book, understand that depression is starting to receive more attention every day. And Cliff Richey is part of that process. He has laid it all on the line and while he is winning his battle with depression, it is an everyday fight. Just as Cliff played tennis, he is studying how depression works; what its weaknesses are; and what strategies you can use against it. His hope is that people who read his story can learnlearn about the disease and learn that people who suffer can have a better quality of life. Things can get better. There is hope.

Cliff is my friend and his crusade to draw more attention to depression will not be easy. But he has never been afraid of a fight. With his energy and focus, it is a challenge that can be met.

Keep fighting, Cliff. Fighting for something worthwhile is never easy. But then again, hard work is something you have never been afraid of. You have a tough opponent but I know you will not let depression get the better of you. Stay with it.

Jimmy Connors

Five-time U.S. Open Champion