Athletes - Brad Gilbert

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	Athletes - Brad Gilbert

Brad Gilbert (born August 9, 1961 in Oakland, California) is a tennis coach, a television tennis commentator, and former professional tennis player.

Gilbert joined the professional tour in 1982 and won his first top-level singles title later that year in Taipei. His first doubles title came in 1985 in Tel Aviv. He won a total of 20 singles titles during his career, the biggest being the historic Cincinnati event in 1989. He also reached 20 singles finals, including Cincinnati (1990, where he lost to future Hall of Fame inductee Stefan Edberg) and the Paris Indoor in 1987 and 1988.

His most successful year on the tour was 1989, during which he won five singles titles, including Cincinnati. His best performance at a Grand Slam tournament was at the 1987 US Open, where he reached the quarterfinals. He was also runner-up at the inaugural Grand Slam Cup in 1990. His career-high singles ranking was World No. 4, which he reached in January 1990.

Gilbert did not have much talent for a professional tennis player. He did not have a powerful serve, a dangerous forehand or backhand, a flashy volley, or a lighting smash. His best asset was his ability to keep the ball in play. He hit the ball most often at a deliberately slow pace but with accuracy. He kept an open stance and did not make much turns when at the baseline. This enabled him to control the game through oversight and tempo despite his defensive style.

Gilbert built his game around destroying his opponent's rhythm. He would force the other player into long rallies by hitting the ball high over the net and deep into his opponent's court. If his opponent employed a slow pace, then Gilbert himself would attack decisively, often at the net. Although he was easy to get along with outside the court, Gilbert could be (deliberately or not) annoying during a match, often challenging calls or complaining about trivial things. Both his style of play and his mental approach were that of a snake; this may have been the only way for him to survive.

To Gilbert's credit, he was fast on his feet and had accurate passing shots.

Gilbert retired as player in 1994. Since then, he has been highly successful as a tennis coach.

Gilbert was coach to Andre Agassi for eight years from 1994 to 2002. During that period, Agassi won six Grand Slam singles titles, making it the joint-most successful coach-player partnership in the Open era (along side Tony Roche's period as coach of Ivan Lendl).

Gilbert went on to coach Andy Roddick, who won the 2003 US Open, but they have now parted ways. Gilbert now serves occasionally as an analyst for ESPN. He is also the author of the very popular book 'Winning Ugly', which gives tips on how an average player can defeat a more skilled opponent.

Gilbert resides with his wife and children in San Rafael, California.

Career highlights

Career Singles Titles (20):

1982--Taipei;
1984--Columbus, Taipei
1985--Cleveland, Livingston, Tel Aviv
1986--Livingston, Memphis, Tel Aviv, Vienna
1987--Scottsdale
1988--Tel Aviv
1989--Cincinnati, Livingston, Memphis, San Francisco, Stratton Mountain
1990--Brisbane, Orlando, Rotterdam

Career Singles Finals (20):

1984--San Francisco
1985--Johannesburg, Stuttgart Outdoor
1987--Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, Washington, Paris Indoor
1988--Paris Indoor
1989--Dallas WCT, Orlando, Washington
1990--Cincinnati, Grand Slam Cup
1991--Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney Indoor
1992--Scottsdale
1993--San Francisco, Tokyo Outdoor
1994--Memphis

Career Doubles Titles (3):

1992--Hong Kong
1986--Boca West
1985--Tel Aviv

Career Doubles Finals (3):

1987--Los Angeles
1986--Vienna
1985--San Francisco

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Brad Gilbert ]

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