Junior tennis circuit taxing too

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Tennis has changed a lot over the years with the game becoming more and more physical.

Even the junior circuit is so taxing that young players are putting in extra hours in the gymnasium to keep pace with others, says fitness trainer N.K. Aridhas, who has played a key role in shaping young Tamil Nadu players Tanushree Palanivel, Viswajith Tirumurti and Bengaluru’s Ganesh Srinivas.

“These days players are a lot faster, stronger and more powerful. They are all aware that a tennis player has to be a complete athlete. Having good strokes is one thing but it is not enough anymore to compete at high levels,” he said.

Aridhas says it’s important to follow a strength and conditioning programme on a regular basis.

“Fitness training should represent 30% of the total practice time and it should include strength, agility, cardio and flexibility trainings,” he added.

As tennis matches can last more than five hours at top level, endurance holds a paramount importance.

“Cardio training such as running or cycling will improve endurance. It will also help them recover a lot faster between matches and tournaments,” said the 27-year-old Tamil Nadu Sports University graduate who is currently studying American Council for Exercise course.

As a former state level athlete who has excelled in various disciplines, Aridhas knows what it takes to make the fitness sessions interesting.

“It’s very important to mix the sessions with fun and entertainment such as recreational drills. Trainers should make sure that the kids are enjoying the routine,” he said.

Another important aspect is creating awareness about injuries. “Knee and shoulder pains are quite common for the tennis players. The key is how fast an athlete recuperates from an injury,” he added.