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TRAIN LIKE A PRO, PLAY LIKE A PRO….. It’s our slogan at tennis fitness. But what does training for tennis like a pro really mean?

We have copped some criticism (just a little) for our brand tag, some people have said it conveys the message that all players of all ages should do the same tennis exercises and loads as pros. Well, that’s not what we encourage and not what our brand tag represents.

Pros train hard, recover well, prepare for tennis with purpose, are consistent and are committed. We have not met one yet, that hasn’t followed those principles.

Some obviously at different levels to others, but they all possess the ability to be able to get done what needs to get done and they do it with consistency.

Training for tennis like a pro takes years to master. These players condition their bodies to the workload that is required to thrive. They learn how to recover effectively and work out what specific tennis programs suit them and how they can get them...

When we talk about tennis training milestones, tennis fitness testing helps in finding out what physical milestones are important for each tennis player and what milestones are going to motivate them the most. Everyone has different goals, strengths and weaknesses. Working towards something that you would consider a milestone is what it is all about, that’s how you keep yourself moving forward and motivated. Things like finishing off a three-set match feeling strong, getting to balls you never dreamt of, hitting the ball with more power and control, remaining injury free for the calendar year, playing 10 tournaments in a row etc. the list could go on and on. Set some targets and put a plan in place to achieve them.

Here are some tennis exercises to help you improve your physical condition and get you one step closer to reaching your milestones. They will get you stronger, quicker and more powerful, most importantly you can do them, again and again, to see how much you have...

On tour the majority of players have a team around them (coach, tennis trainer, partner, friends) then they have a close group of players they rely on for support, encouragement, a laugh and above all tennis results. 

It's extremely important for them to have this "team" dynamic. They not only rely on others for feedback, motivation and support, but it's equally important for them to be able to help and support others themselves. This brings them satisfaction and a feeling that they are in touch with their loved ones and friends.

Have you ever asked yourself " who's in my team" and "Whose team am I in" it's important to know because they are the people you need to spend time with, listen to, communicate with and respect. As they believe in you, you too should believe in them, it is a two-way street.

To have a successful team respect for each other is paramount, it is what underlies all your decisions and beliefs in each other. Young players need respect for their parents first...

1. Bad Punctuality

Being consistently late for tennis training has a lot of negative ramifications for your game. First of all , your coach or tennis trainer will get frustrated and can lose motivation to help you, hit your potential. You will be embarrassed and may go into to a shell and lose confidence. The most important point is that you may lose precious time that you could have used to improve. If you consistently show up 5min late for 1 year, that adds up to a lot of missed lessons, costing you money and the chance to become a better player. The thing with punctuality is that its about attitude and you can control when and where you are going, so control what time you get yourself to tennis training and be ready.

2. Listening To The Wrong People

Getting advice from the right people is crucial for long-term success in tennis. Too many people listen to, other parents, friends etc. that really don't know what they are talking about. Getting advice from people who have...

The right attitude can make all the difference if you’re struggling for self belief.

Motivation can wane when a player is struggling to see consistent improvements, in their tennis training both on and off court.

A plateauing game – or even worse, an tennis injury – are often turning points that lead a player to question their processes.

When this happens, we like to remind the player of one of our favourite quotes: “Champions do not become champions on the court. They are merely recognised on the court. They become champions in their daily routine. Players do not really decide their future. They decide their habit, then their habits decide their future.”

The quote is a powerful reminder of the importance of being proactive with good tennis fitness habits to become a...

There is one thing that has been on my mind for a while. I have been looking over all the content and information the ATP and WTA put out, along with looking through various tennis websites. I have been looking to see what direction everyone is taking, especially regarding social media and getting more interaction and education from the BEST (players, coaches and organisations)

I have a feeling tennis may be getting left behind in this area, a lot of other sports are really utilising their athletes and the sports they play to promote their game......

I hear stories from coaches in Australia all the time, they are concerned by the numbers who are playing tennis compared to 10 years ago.... I cannot comment on that. I know Tennis Australia have put a lot of time and energy into tennis junior development over the last 5 years, we will see the fruits of their efforts within the next 5 years. On a larger scale I would love to see tennis evolve as a power house social media driver, it...

Have you ever wondered what your junior tennis player is thinking? Have you really put yourself on their level and realised they are looking at things from a different perspective? It is an effective tool to help create change.

Junior tennis players are told what to do all the time and don’t get me wrong, direct instructions (technical, motivational, physical) are important and have a massive role in a child’s development and learning capacity. However I find it extremely important for educators (tennis coaches, parents, tennis trainers, mentors) to get on their level (put yourself in their shoes), then encourage them to think for themselves (preparation, recovery, time management, respect for others etc) these are the things we need kids to be aware of for themselves and not be told all the time, understanding how they think and operate will help make this happen. Learn to do it!

My tips on getting a junior tennis player to think more;

1. Listen better =...

How Lleyton Hewitt's unprecedented 20th straight Australian Open tilt this month will be the culmination of a brutal summer regime involving some 800km of high-intensity hitting, running, swimming, boxing and strength tennis training.

Long revered as one of Australia's most supreme athletes, Hewitt has worked ferociously on his game and fitness for almost six hours a day, six days a week - virtually non-stop - since early November in preparation for his Open swan song.

Attacking every session as if it were his last, the indefatigable former world No.1 has worn out a queue of hitting partners since commencing his exhausting eight-week block and left his decade-long conditioner in awe.

"In terms of endurance and durability playing professional sport at the highest level for 20 years, there wouldn't be many athletes who could match it with Lleyton for intensity on a day-to-day basis," fitness trainer Nathan Martin told AAP.

"He never gets sore. He turns up every day with the same...

What can you learn from Lleyton Hewitt, who will play a record-breaking 20th and final Australian Open this summer?

Lleyton Hewitt is the ultimate professional when it comes to tennis training. A professional athlete needs the following categories to be considered the "whole package” – great physical attributes, punctuality, strong organisational skills, focus, intensity and commitment.

Having worked with Lleyton for the past 10 years, he scores close to 10 out of 10 for all of them. He is never late, always has everything he needs, knows what he is doing and is determined to get it done. He always has an extremely high level of intensity and can back it up day after day.

Lleyton attacks his pre-season with the enthusiasm of a 20-year-old year after year. As a tennis fitness trainer, you can’t ask for more. A typical pre-season tennis training block for Lleyton runs for 10 to 12 weeks, training between three and five hours a day. During the initial transition...

If you were old enough to have seen tennis being played over the last 20 years, you would have noticed the rapid rate of development that has occurred. Even in the last 5 years, there has been a big jump in the physicality of the game.

The factors that have created these changes are; Technology advancement (tennis training equipment, rackets, strings, clothing, court surface) Sports science (supplementation, tennis fitness programs) Tennis Nutrition and Hydration (Sports drinks, sports specific eating plans, better knowledge, and understanding) I have found there are few things that stand out for the players that have endured and acclimatised the best to the current game.

Holistic Health

Players are looking at tennis a lot more holistically. There is a strong sense of balance and getting what I call the Work: Rest ratio right. It is not just about hitting loads and loads of balls anymore. Having quality across the board has more emphasis placed on it. This involves having a...