Brad Gilbert
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Country (sports) |
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Residence | San Rafael, California | ||||||||||||
Born |
Oakland, California | August 9, 1961||||||||||||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||
Turned pro | 1982 | ||||||||||||
Retired | 1995 | ||||||||||||
Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) | ||||||||||||
Prize money | US$5,509,060 | ||||||||||||
Singles | |||||||||||||
Career record | 519–288 | ||||||||||||
Career titles | 20 | ||||||||||||
Highest ranking | No. 4 (January 1, 1990) | ||||||||||||
Grand Slam Singles results | |||||||||||||
Australian Open | 4R (1984) | ||||||||||||
French Open | 3R (1993) | ||||||||||||
Wimbledon | QF (1990) | ||||||||||||
US Open | QF (1987) | ||||||||||||
Other tournaments | |||||||||||||
Tour Finals | SF (1987) | ||||||||||||
Grand Slam Cup | F (1990) | ||||||||||||
WCT Finals | F (1989) | ||||||||||||
Doubles | |||||||||||||
Career record | 101–127 | ||||||||||||
Career titles | 3 | ||||||||||||
Highest ranking | No. 18 (September 29, 1986) | ||||||||||||
Grand Slam Doubles results | |||||||||||||
Australian Open | 2R (1987) | ||||||||||||
French Open | 2R (1987) | ||||||||||||
Wimbledon | 2R (1986) | ||||||||||||
US Open | 2R (1988) | ||||||||||||
Medal record
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Brad Gilbert (born August 9, 1961) is an American tennis coach, a television tennis commentator, an author and former professional tennis player. He was born in Oakland, California and graduated from Piedmont High School (California).
Gilbert's career-high singles ranking was world no. 4, which he reached in January 1990. Since retiring from the tour, he has coached several top players, including Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, and Kei Nishikori.
Playing career
Gilbert played tennis for Foothill College, a junior college in Los Altos Hills, California, from 1980–82, where he was coached by Tom Chivington. During this time, he won the California Junior College Singles Championship and the U.S. Amateur Hardcourt Championship. In 1981, Gilbert became a member of the American Junior Davis Cup team. In 1982, he transferred to Pepperdine University, playing for Allen Fox, where he became an All-American and reached the finals of the 1982 NCAA Championship.
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.
Gilbert won a total of 20 top-level singles titles during his career, the biggest being the Cincinnati event in 1989. He was also runner-up in a further 20 singles events, including Cincinnati in 1990 (where he lost to future International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Stefan Edberg) and the Paris Indoors in 1987 and 1988.
Gilbert's most successful year on the tour was 1989, during which he won five singles titles, including Cincinnati, where he beat four future Hall of Famers to claim the title: Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Boris Becker, and Stefan Edberg, as well as Agustín Moreno and Jason Stoltenberg.
Gilbert's best performances at Grand Slam tournaments were at the 1987 US Open and 1990 Wimbledon, where he reached the quarterfinals. He was also runner-up at the inaugural Grand Slam Cup in 1990.
Gilbert was ranked among the top 10 players in the U.S. for 9 of his first 10 years on the professional tour. His career win-loss record in singles play was 519–288. His career prize-money totalled US$5,509,060.
Among his upsets of players ranked in the world's top 3 were his defeat of no. 2 Boris Becker, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, in Cincinnati in 1989, no. 2 Edberg, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4, in Los Angeles in 1991, no. 3 Sampras, 6–3, 6–4, in London in 1992, and no. 3 Jim Courier, 6–4, 6–4, at Memphis in 1994, Edberg, 6–4, 2–6, 7–6, in Cincinnati in 1989, and perhaps most significantly, no. 2 John McEnroe, 5–7, 6–4, 6–1, in the Masters in MSG New York in January 1986, which sent McEnroe into his first six-month break from tennis.
Style of play
Unlike many other professional players of his era, Gilbert did not have a major offensive weapon such as an overpowering serve or forehand. His best asset was his ability to keep the ball in play. He hit the ball most often at a slow but accurate pace and was sometimes called a pusher.[1] In his 2002 autobiography, John McEnroe called Gilbert a pusher and claimed that Gilbert had the ability to bring talented players down to his type of game. In addition, McEnroe stated that Gilbert was the most negative person he had ever played tennis against, and he was riled by Gilbert's alleged non-stop tirades against himself while playing.
Gilbert kept an open stance and did not make many turns when at the baseline. This enabled him to control the game through oversight and tempo, despite his defensive style. He built his game around destroying his opponent's rhythm. He forced his opponent into long rallies by hitting the ball high over the net and deep into his opponent's court. If an opponent employed a slow pace, Gilbert attacked decisively, often at the net. He was one of the sport's top strategists as a player. Although he was easy to get along with outside the court, Gilbert was a fierce competitor with a sometimes annoying style of play, focusing on his opponent's weaknesses. Both his style of play and his mental approach brought him wins over the world's top players and kept him near the top 10 for six years.
Davis Cup
Gilbert compiled a 10–5 record in Davis Cup play from 1986–93, with a 7–1 record on hard courts and carpet.[2]
Olympics
Gilbert won a bronze medal in men's singles at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.
Career finals
Singles 40 (20–20)
Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | 1. | 1982 | Taipei, Taiwan | Carpet | ![]() |
6–1, 6–4 |
Winner | 2. | 1984 | Columbus, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–3, 3–6, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 1. | 1984 | San Francisco, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
4–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 3. | 1984 | Taipei, Taiwan | Carpet | ![]() |
6–3, 6–3 |
Winner | 4. | 1985 | Livingston, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
7–6, 6–4 |
Winner | 5. | 1985 | Cleveland, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 2. | 1985 | Stuttgart Outdoor, Germany | Clay | ![]() |
4–6, 0–6 |
Runner-up | 3. | 1985 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
4–6, 6–3, 3–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 6. | 1985 | Tel Aviv, Israel | Hard | ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Winner | 7. | 1986 | Memphis, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
7–5, 7–6(7–3) |
Winner | 8. | 1986 | Livingston, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–2, 6–2 |
Winner | 9. | 1986 | Tel Aviv, Israel | Hard | ![]() |
7–5, 6–2 |
Winner | 10. | 1986 | Vienna, Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
3–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–0 |
Runner-up | 4. | 1987 | Washington, D.C., U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
1–6, 0–6 |
Winner | 11. | 1987 | Scottsdale, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–2, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 5. | 1987 | Tel Aviv, Israel | Hard | ![]() |
6–3, 3–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 6. | 1987 | Paris Indoor, France | Carpet | ![]() |
6–2, 3–6, 5–7, 7–6(7–5), 3–6 |
Runner-up | 7. | 1987 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard (i) | ![]() |
6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–2, 0–6, 1–6 |
Winner | 12. | 1988 | Tel Aviv, Israel | Hard | ![]() |
4–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–2 |
Runner-up | 8. | 1988 | Paris Indoor, France | Carpet | ![]() |
3–6, 2–6, 3–6 |
Winner | 13. | 1989 | Memphis, U.S. | Hard (i) | ![]() |
6–2, 6–2, ret. |
Runner-up | 9. | 1989 | Dallas WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
3–6, 3–6, 6–7(3–7) |
Runner-up | 10. | 1989 | Washington, D.C., U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–3, 4–6, 5–7 |
Winner | 14. | 1989 | Stratton Mountain, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
7–5, 6–0 |
Winner | 15. | 1989 | Livingston, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–4, 6–4 |
Winner | 16. | 1989 | Cincinnati, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–4, 2–6, 7–6(7–5) |
Winner | 17. | 1989 | San Francisco, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
7–5, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 11. | 1989 | Orlando, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
2–6, 1–6 |
Winner | 18. | 1990 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Carpet | ![]() |
6–1, 6–3 |
Winner | 19. | 1990 | Orlando, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
6–2, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 12. | 1990 | Cincinnati, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
1–6, 1–6 |
Winner | 20. | 1990 | Brisbane, Australia | Hard | ![]() |
6–3, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 13. | 1990 | Grand Slam Cup, Munich | Carpet | ![]() |
3–6, 4–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 14. | 1991 | San Francisco, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
2–6, 6–3, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 15. | 1991 | Los Angeles, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
2–6, 7–6(7–5), 3–6 |
Runner-up | 16. | 1991 | Sydney Indoor, Australia | Hard (i) | ![]() |
2–6, 2–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 17. | 1992 | Scottsdale, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
0–6, 6–1, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 18. | 1993 | San Francisco, U.S. | Hard (i) | ![]() |
2–6, 7–6(7–4), 2–6 |
Runner-up | 19. | 1993 | Tokyo Outdoor, Japan | Hard | ![]() |
2–6, 2–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 20. | 1994 | Memphis, U.S. | Hard (i) | ![]() |
4–6, 5–7 |
Singles performance timeline
Tournament | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | SR | W–L | Win % | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Slam tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||
Australian Open | A | A | 1R | 4R | 3R | NH | 3R | A | A | A | 3R | 1R | A | A | 1R | 0 / 7 | 6–7 | 46.2% | |
French Open | A | A | 1R | 2R | 1R | A | 2R | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R | A | 0 / 8 | 5–8 | 38.5% | |
Wimbledon | A | A | 3R | 3R | 1R | 4R | 3R | A | 1R | QF | 3R | 3R | 2R | 2R | A | 0 / 11 | 19–11 | 63.3% | |
US Open | A | 2R | 1R | 2R | 3R | 4R | QF | 2R | 1R | 3R | 1R | 4R | 4R | A | A | 0 / 12 | 20–12 | 62.5% | |
Win–Loss | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 6–4 | 3–4 | 6–2 | 8–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 6–2 | 4–4 | 5–4 | 6–3 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 0 / 38 | 50–38 | 56.8% | |
Year End Rankings | 282 | 54 | 50 | 23 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 21 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 26 | 35 | 76 | 680 |
Halls of Fame
Gilbert is a member of the USTA Northern California Hall of Fame.[3]
Gilbert is also a 1999 inductee into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame.[4]
Gilbert was inducted in 2001 into the ITA Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.[5]
Gilbert was a 2001 inductee into the Marblehead Boosters Hall of Fame.[6]
Coaching career
Gilbert retired as a player in 1995. Since 1994, he has been successful as a tennis coach. This success has often been associated with the extraordinary tactical abilities exhibited during his own matches.
Andre Agassi
Gilbert was the coach of Andre Agassi for eight years, from March 1994 until January 2002. Agassi won six of his eight majors when Gilbert was his coach. Agassi described Gilbert as "the greatest coach of all time".[7]
Andy Roddick
On June 3, 2003, Gilbert became the coach of Andy Roddick, who won the 2003 US Open under Gilbert's guidance, as well as clinching the year-end world no. 1 for 2003 and reaching the 2004 Wimbledon final. They parted ways on December 12, 2004.
Andy Murray
![](../I/m/Andy_Murray_1.jpg)
On July 26, 2006, Gilbert was announced as taking over the coaching duties of Scottish player Andy Murray. As well as coaching Murray, Gilbert took part, pursuant to a 3-year deal, in other British Lawn Tennis Association programmes, including tennis camps at under-12 and under-14 levels.[8] He also worked with the LTA's network of coaches and its high-performance clubs and academies. On November 14, 2007, after 16 months working together, Gilbert and Murray parted company. By then, Murray had reached a then career-high ranking of no. 8.[9]
Alex Bogdanović
In November 2007 it was announced that Gilbert would work for 20 weeks in 2008 for Britain's Lawn Tennis Association, concentrating mostly on coaching Britain's no. 2, Alex Bogdanović, and others in his age group. Bogdanović said he was "unbelievably excited" at the chance of spending time with Gilbert.[10] Roger Draper, the LTA's chief executive, said: "We have set Brad a new challenge of getting Alex into the top 100 and also 'upskilling' our coaches and inspiring the next generation to follow in Andy's footsteps."[11]
Kei Nishikori
While still being committed to his TV items,[12] in December 2010 it was announced that Gilbert would return to coaching, and partner with Kei Nishikori of Japan for 15 tournaments in the 2011 season. Gilbert's partnership with Nishikori concluded at the end of the 2011 season.[13]
Sam Querrey
In February 2012, it was announced that Gilbert would work with American Sam Querrey on a trial basis in 2012.[14]
Commentator and Author
Gilbert now serves as a tennis analyst for ESPN. He is also the author of the book Winning Ugly,[15] which gives tips on how an average player can defeat a more skilled opponent and better the average player's mental game. His second book, co-authored by James Kaplan and entitled I've Got Your Back,[16] was published in 2005.
Personal life
Gilbert is Jewish[17] and resides with his wife Kim and three children Zach, Julian and Zoe in San Rafael, California.
While commentating Andy Murray's third-round match in the 2011 Australian Open for ESPN2, Gilbert mentioned that he lives near the Olympian runner Michael Johnson and that when he was Murray's coach he introduced Johnson and Murray, who did a series of sprints together on a nearby track.
See also
References
References
- ↑ Benoit Denizet-Lewis (June 27, 2004). "Brad Gilbert Talks a Great Game". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- ↑ Brad Gilbert at the Davis Cup
- ↑ USTA Northern California Hall of Fame Archived July 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine..
- ↑ CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports
- ↑ ITA Men's Hall of Fame. Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
- ↑ Marblehead Marblehead Boosters Club Hall of Fame Archived October 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine..
- ↑ "Tennis players – Brad Gilbert". Tennis – ATP World Tour official site.
- ↑ Halley, Jim (August 3, 2006). "Gilbert coaching teen Murray, over firing by Roddick". USA Today. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ↑ "Murray splits with coach Gilbert". BBC News. November 14, 2007.
- ↑ Harman, Neil (November 20, 2007). "Brad Gilbert gives Alex Bogdanovic rallying call to reach potential". The Times. London. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ↑ Newman, Paul (November 19, 2007). "After Murray, Gilbert moves on to coach Bogdanovic, the world No 161". The Independent. London. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/12/Other/Gilbert-To-Help-Nishikori.aspx
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
- ↑ "Brad Gilbert to work with Sam Querrey on trial basis". TennisNow. February 20, 2012.
- ↑ Jamison, Steve; Brad Gilbert (1994). Winning Ugly : Mental Warfare in Tennis—Lessons from a Master. New York: Fireside. ISBN 0-671-88400-X.
- ↑ Andre Agassi; Brad Gilbert; Kaplan, James (2005). I've Got Your Back : Coaching Top Performers from Center Court to the Corner Office. Portfolio Trade. ISBN 1-59184-095-3.
- ↑ http://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/how-jewish-is/how-jewish-brad-gilbert
Bibliography
- Gilbert, Brad (1994). Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis—Lessons from a Master. Fireside. ISBN 0-671-88400-X.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brad Gilbert. |
- The Official Brad Gilbert Site
- Brad Gilbert at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- Brad Gilbert at the International Tennis Federation
- Brad Gilbert at the Davis Cup
- Brad Gilbert ESPn Bio