This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and Janko Tipsarevic, who is a former professional tennis player with a career-high singles ranking of world no. 8 and founder and CEO of Tipsarevic Tennis Academy in Belgrade, Serbia.

This conversation gives behind-the-scenes insights on what it takes to achieve excellence in professional sports, what mindset is needed to reach one’s true potential and a penetrating and inspirational window into the psychology of professional tennis that resonates with all of us.

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Giving Your All, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

• On Nietzsche and Tennis - The dangers of too much perspective


• Lost Opportunities - Reflections on vacuous press conferences


• Commitment - More than just the hours


• Breaking Through - Leaving nothing back


• Tennis as a Team Sport - Davis Cup and doubles


• Achieving Potential - Coaching and talent


• Winner Take All? - Spreading the wealth—or not?

About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series (100 books):

Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers, including 3 Nobel Laureates, but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research. Howard Burton holds a PhD in physics and an MA in philosophy, and was the Founding Director of Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.