January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Between The Lines
Compete in your 60s and 70s
It is now widely accepted that physical conditioning is very important for success on the tennis court. Twenty years ago very few tennis players were trained as athletes. Today, as a result of tennis players being better athletes, they are able to extend their careers into their 60’s and even 70’s.
A player wouldn't have a chance of winning if they showed up out of shape for a club level tourney. As the physical demands of tennis have changed so too have the training methods.
As a player gets older the rewards are even greater for being fit. Along with a high fitness level comes more confidence and increased mental toughness. A strong body leads to a strong mind.
In order to best tackle the specific type of physical training unique to a tennis player you must be able to analyze your particular needs. Everyone has their own style of play. With every style there are specific needs that will enhance your type of game.
If improving is your goal then a programme should be adapted taking into account your strengths and weaknesses. Pat Rafter was a serve and volley player. When I used to practice with him he wasn’t interested in hitting tons of ground strokes. James Blake was the opposite. He wanted to hit a lot of balls. He likes to grind from the baseline and impose his huge forehand on his opponents. One’s strengths should be maintained but focus should always be more on one’s weaknesses.
My philosophy as a coach is to train tennis players as both athletes and unique individuals, and then customize their training programme to fit their age, skills, personality and motivation. Not everyone has the time to play as much as they would like to.
The key is to get the most out of the time you have. Training with a purpose also increases the enjoyability of the game.[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.