Tennis Poetry

About the Book

Although TENNIS POETRY is essentially great `FUN`, it is also instructional and informative, and when you look beneath the humour you will find much to learn about the history of the game, invented by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield in the 1870`s, and the fundamentals of how it was traditionally played and taught. The poems outline how tennis has sprung from very old roots, yet the game of today is not much more than a hundred years old! In a short space of time it has grown to become one of the most enjoyable and competitive games in the world! The six sections of Tennis Poetry look at History, Fundamentals, Technique, Equipment, Philosophical Themes and some miscellaneous poems on interesting subjects like Umpiring and Andy Murray! Readers will also find many of the poems in Tennis Poetry have been wonderfully illustrated by Vix. Paul Douglas ends with a selection of non-tennis poems and his Lyric to the anthem like music of Highland Cathedral, which he hopes may soon be recorded and sung worldwide.

About the Author

Paul Douglas has coached and trained players and coaches at all levels of the game. He played for the British Professional team in the 1960`s and is a former Chairman of both The Professional Tennis Coaches` Association of Great Britain and The Surrey Tennis Coaches` Association. He holds an Umpires certificate and a diploma in Sports Psychology. Many pupils have become Tournament Winners, County Champions and World Ranked players. His most successful pupil was Jeremy Bates the former British No.1, who won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Title in 1987 with Jo Durie. Paul is the author of `The Handbook of Tennis`, `101 Essential Tips` and other instructional books. He compiled all Examination Papers for the L.T.A. Coaching Scheme in the 1970`s and wrote many articles for Tennis magazines. Paul`s two sons, Alan and Craig are excellent players, with Alan competing in two Wimbledon Qualifying Tournaments and becoming a world ranked player in the 1980`s. Paul was made an Honorary Member of The British Tennis Coaches` Association in 2006 and is a Life Patron of the Surrey L.T.A. He continues to write from his new home in Clackmannan, where he lives with his wife Priscilla.