The Importance Of Exercise In Tennis
by Juandell Brunner

I remember as a child my coach saying to me," Tennis is 80% mental and 20% physical". I never quite understood that until I was in my first three set match and had no energy left to play. Then it hit me, that 20% is really important! I then realized that I could not just rely on tennis talent alone, but train hard with several types of excercises.

And today as a coach, I see it in several junior players. You must realize that proper training with excercises are very important. You never would see a guy or girl with a big stomach, or eating McDonalds everyday and attempting to play on the ATP or WTA tour. That would be suicide!!! They would have nothing in their bodies to produce that muscle and stamina needed to go 3 to 5 sets. That´s why it is very important to take what the coaches say as a motivational tool to get your body into shape!

Running produces stamina for the long matches. Jumping rope to build muscle for the legs and learning to move in vertical and lateral ways all help. So never take the time you have for granted! Always work as hard as you can in your practices, and I promise you that things will slowly start to change for the good. You will notice your body becoming stronger, the six pack abs you always wanted showing, and just your general confidence on court being more positive! I have a saying that I have said to many of you juniors, "Strong mind and Strong heart!!". Remember that, and you will see that your tennis and mental game will both show improvement!

Juandell 2006