Renowned tennis instructor Vic Braden, whose “Laugh and Win” teaching style brought many people to play tennis, died Monday from a heart attack. He was 85.
“His great big heart just finally gave out,” said his wife, Melody Braden.
Braden was beset in recent years by various health problems, but continued to teach tennis through lessons, instructional videos and books. Melody Braden said he was in the midst of writing three more books.
“I can’t even tell you the number of projects he was working on,” she said. “That was him, though. He even wanted to start a new research project and I sat him down and asked him ‘Vic, don’t you think you have researched every possible thing in tennis?’ He said no.”
After a brief professional career that last three years, Braden devoted his life to teaching forehands and backhands, but with a style that made learning fun. His approach included video analysis of a player’s strokes with a scientific twist.
“While people are being introduced to a new sport, they should be laughing their guts out while learning. Those that learn this way are usually in sports for a lifetime,” he wrote on his website.
Braden’s interest in studying all aspects of tennis led him to create a tennis college and research center in Coto De Caza in 1980, where he taught tennis to the young and old. His goal was to maximize performance while enjoying tennis.
He also had tennis colleges in St. George, Utah and Kissimmee, Fla.
“He did so many great things for people,” Melody Braden said. “A lot of the kids he taught are now in their 60s.
“Vic would be so happy when a person could get a forehand or backhand. He would tell them that you’ll be so much happier when you win.”
He still taught and as recently as last March, conducting his tennis college at the Coto Valley Country Club in Trabuco Canyon.
“Vic Braden was a dear friend who helped make a difference in my life. He had a kind and generous heart,” tennis legend Billie Jean King wrote on Twitter. “Tennis has lost a treasure … he was always on the cutting edge of science in tennis & is an all-time great in our industry.”
Tracy Austin also took to Twitter to express her condolences, writing, “So sad to hear of the passing of tennis coach Vic Braden, a pioneer, innovator, & true legend in our sport! Condolences to Melody.”
Braden founded the Junior Tennis Ambassador program, which taught elementary and junior high students how to coach. He believed that young students possessed the ability to coach, when properly trained.
He also was involved with the Arthritis National Research Foundation and wrote seven books.
Braden is survived by his wife Melody, children Kory Braden-Hittelman, Kristen Paul, Troy Davis and Shawn Davis, and four grandchildren.
Braden was predeceased by his daughter, Kelly, who passed away 12 years ago from complications from lupus.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Contact the writer: jcarr@ocregister.com
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