Does Tennis need many like Vic Braden?

By Fernando Segal (6/6)

Genius, innovator, a revolution in Tennis!

1929 born in Monroe, Michigan, Vic Braden was more than a tennis coach. He was a brilliant mind who merged science with joy, biomechanics with wonderful thoughts, and deep expertise with humanity. Vic made tennis fun creating growth for everyone.

He was a coach, psychologist, author, photographer, videographer, and pioneer who believed tennis was much more than a sport: it was a way to connect, grow, and live. He was a connector.

Vic’s journey began studying educational psychology by night, he already saw what tennis teaching need: empathy, clarity, content, and fun. His very famous mantra which is in his works: “Laugh and learn,” was a crucial concept on his method.

He brought humor into learning and made science accessible through studies, research, and futuristic vision. He was like Einstein explaining the relativity theory having fun or Newton’s laws using donuts!

In the 1960s, alongside Jack Kramer, Vic launched the Jack Kramer Club, a joy and innovation tennis factory. Where a future champion like Tracy Austin were nurtured with heart and precision. Later, he founded Vic Braden’s Tennis College in Coto de Caza- Cal. where he revolutionized teaching with high-speed cameras, hitting lanes, and research labs, decades ahead of his time. I was there in 1981 studying tennis biomechanics applied with his system.

For Vic tennis is more than mechanics, is a mirror to life. It taught resilience, reflection, creativity, and connection. His ultimate message was this: teaching isn’t about transferring knowledge; it’s about awakening curiosity. Coaching isn’t about perfection; it’s about making progress feel possible.

He proved that good teaching is more than technique. It’s about understanding the player, emotionally and scientifically. He dismantled myths (roll over the ball) and rebuilt others with facts and smiles. His books and TV specials reached millions at his time, his clinics empowered coaches, and his philosophy changed tennis forever.

Today, his leadership echoes in every coach and tennis program in the way we should behave using his example.

We miss him deeply, his laugh, creativity, boundless energy, and unwavering passion. His legacy lives on in every swing that’s better understood, every player who laughs through learning, and everyone who teaches with both science and soul.

He said “If you understand it, you’ll love it. If you love it, you’ll work at it. And if you work at it, you’ll get better.”

Let’s honor Vic remembering him, by learning, teaching, coaching, and loving our sport the way he did. Like his legacy, so curious, kind, and fearless. A true Tennis Ambassador!

Tennis means a global culture, a movement, a force for growth. We need a revolution of values, structure, and purpose in each next visionary, builder, and true leaders of tennis world like him. Many thanks Vic, you nail it!

We can make it!