Rick Macci and Dr. Nivedita Jerath Go Inside the Champion’s Mind With New Tennis Book

Rick Macci has spent decades studying what makes tennis champions tick. Now the Boca Raton-based coaching legend is taking a closer look at the brain behind the brilliance.

Macci has teamed up with Harvard-trained neurologist Dr. Nivedita U. Jerath for a new book, No Weak Layer: The Neuroscience of Champions and the Nine Layers of Lasting Success, just released today.

The seven-time USPTA (now RSPA) Coach of the Year has helped develop five players who reached world No. 1: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova and Jennifer Capriati. His latest project explores how the mental skills behind that success can be developed and strengthened.

Above: Rick Macci and Dr. Nivedita Jerath. Photo credit: Kenneth Appelbaum Photography, courtesy of Dr. Nivedita Jerath.

Jerath brings an interesting perspective to the partnership. Before becoming a neurologist, she was a competitive junior tennis player who trained at Macci's Florida-based academy. She has credited his coaching and mentorship with influencing her approach to both medicine and life.

The two previously collaborated on Billion Dollar Mind and have appeared together at events at Macci's academy in Boca Raton.

Their new book introduces nine interconnected foundations of lasting success, including natural ability, passion, mindset, technical mastery, coaching, teamwork, disciplined practice, consistency and character.

Above: The new book by Rick Macci and Dr. Nivedita Jerath. Image courtesy of Dr. Nivedita Jerath.

Another central theme is what the authors call the Intelligent Edge: the ability to anticipate, adapt and make smart decisions under pressure.

It's a subject Macci knows intimately. A big serve or explosive forehand can take a player a long way. Knowing what to do when those weapons aren't working can make all the difference.

With lessons drawn from elite tennis and the study of the nervous system, Macci and Jerath explore how champions learn, handle setbacks and develop the mental tools to compete at their best.

No Weak Layer is being released through Amazon in print, eBook and audiobook formats. 

Sources: Official book announcement | Dr. Jerath's book page | Florida Tennis archive. Photo credit (top): Eric Mclean via Pexels.

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