Paul Annacone - Coaching for Life: A Guide to Playing, Thinking and Being the Best You Can Be

To Mom & Dad

You opened the door of opportunity in my life. Thanks to you its been a wonderful journey and your selfless sacrifices have allowed so many of my dreams to become reality, with love.

Table of Contents

Foreword

I n 1995, Paul Annacone quietly became my coach and the key-sounding partner in a team that would span seven years and nine Grand Slam titles. It was clear to me that Paul knew what I was all about. Like me, he embraces the quiet way. We really click in that way. Paul came to know me better than anyone else in the game. Paul is not a big rah-rah guy. He does not throw a lot of senseless verbiage at youso take what he says to heart, as I did. It helped me win a lot of majors and a lot of tournaments.

Paul knows how to bring out excellence in you and your game, by keeping things simple rather than ramping up an occasion. His strategies worked time and time again. And when I was down in 2002, it was Pauls post-Wimbledon conversation with me that rallied me back to win my final title that same year. If you buy into Pauls mantra of believing in the process and trust that it will lead you to the result, then this book is a great book for you, because everyone can use these themes to excel.

Not just an observer from the side of the court, Paul also played, and is always quick to remind me that he beat me the only time we ever faced each other. Paul quietly pushed me to play a certain way; he pushed me to attack, chip and charge, and impose my will on my opponents. He wasnt looking for the limelight, he wasnt looking for the attention or the credit. But deep down in me, I know what he meant for my career. Paul has given me a lifetime of memories and lessons, all of which I will carry with me every day. He never got the credit he deserves. I hope this book will help do that. Thanks, Paul.

- Pete Sampras

Introduction

T ennis players, coaches and parents believe that my life has been devoted to building champions. Actually, that is only partially true. I believe that a more meaningful part of my career has been in the development of championship peoplepeople who went on to contribute to humanity; people who understood that it was within their power to improve the lives of others.

Paul Annacone is one of those individuals of whom I am most proud. His book is a must-read because its real. It exposes the real challenges that a youngster faces as he develops into a responsible adult. But, make no mistake, this development comes with indecision, fear, failure, disappointment, and ultimately an awakening the realization that, through all of these difficulties, you can succeed.

Paul began playing tennis as a young boy living in Long Island, New York. Each day that he practiced, he went home to a loving family and familiar surroundings. His life was very average until he made the monumental decision to move to Florida to focus on his tennis game. My good friend Mike DePalmer Sr. and I welcomed him to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. We mentored him and adopted him as one of the family. Its important to understand that this was a new idea. It was the first live-in tennis academy in the world. I was routinely criticized as a stern taskmaster who managed a prison camp for aspiring young tennis players.

Paul went on to receive a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee, again under the tutelage of Tennessee coach Mike DePalmer. He went onto the ATP Tour where, in 1985, he achieved a career-high ranking of No. 12 in the world. He retired in 1995 to begin what became a stellar coaching career. Paul has coached Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Tim Henman, and most recently Sloane Stephens. He was coach for the Lawn Tennis Association, coach of Great Britains Davis Cup Team, and managing director of the USTAs Player Development Program.

When you read this book you will see how focus and determination along with a good team can overcome the odds. Paul and his team have always had a we can do it attitude, and this book is not merely a tutorial on tennis but rather through will and sheer determination a tutorial on life itself!

- Nick BolletTieri

Notes

Notes of a Coach: Paul Annacone

I n the summer of 1995, just prior to the U.S. Open, I had a conversation with Pete Sampras in one of the many hotel rooms we occupied during our seven-and-a-half years working together. His thoughts, always clear and deep, resonate in my mind today.

There were two key topics: one was Andre Agassis terrific run that summer where he did not lose a match leading into the U.S. Open. The other was the tragic situation of Petes former coach, Tim Gullikson, who was battling brain cancer.