Ask me anything about being a professional tennis player

[InvisibleSoul]

Greetings from another Vancouverite!

I was having this discussion with a coworker a month or so ago.

We were wondering how your level as a top junior compares to some of the top long-time non-pros in town here, like Henry Choi and David Chu.

Have you played those guys before?

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by TheCanadian

Thank you for joining this forum. It's great to have the opportunity to chat to somebody who's actually living the life many of us wished we had.

My first questions: many top juniors did not make an equally successful transition into professional tennis. In fact, some had relatively mediocre pro careers. Why do you think this is so?

What are your short-term and long-term goals?

Do you think a below average height in professional tennis is a significant hurdle today?

At what age did you start playing tennis and what kind of regimen did you follow? For example, how much time a week did you spend on a court at the age of 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, etc. And now? How much time did you spend in the gym and on fitness? And now?

I assume many coaches at a hand in your development, would you like to mention some names?

How many hours should a kid spend in (private or otherwise) lessons in a typical week versus practicing? It seems to me that too many parents spend a fortune on lessons when a kid should be practicing and playing matches.

It's a tough question to answer, as the reasons for either success or failure are quite different for everyone. Some players didn't succeed were that they didn't train hard enough, others were set back because of injuries, and some others just never had what it takes to be a top pro from the start.

My short term goals are to be around the top 500 by the end of this year, while the ultimate goal is to be the #1 player in the world and winning Grand Slams.

I first tried playing tennis around the age of 5, but I didnt start playing on a regular basis until I was 7 or 8. Even then I only played a few times a week. I would say I got a lot more serious about my training when I was 10 or 11 years old. I don't really remember how much I played exactly back then, but it wasn't as much as I needed to, as I had trouble finding hitting partners.

At the moment, a typical training day would include around 4 hours of tennis and 2 hours of fitness, although this can vary greatly depending on what we are focusing on at any given time.

My dad definitely deserves most of the credit for developing me until I started working with Tennis Canada, midway through the year I turned 15. Afterwards, I started working with Guillaume Marx and Jocelyn Robichaud, who are still my coaches at the moment, as well as Kieran Foy as my fitness trainer.

That last question is also tough to answer, as it really depends on the player's needs at the time. I would say its good to do about 50% lessons and 50% matchplay and sparring with other players, typically.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by tistrapukcipeht

I personally think that Liam Broady is a beast left player, it probably is a nightmare to play that guy. What did you do to beat him strategically wise?

Basically I just try to do the same thing I would against anyone, which is to try to play my game rather than let him enforce his strengths. I don't want to give away too much about it as I will probably run into him on Tour (and I hope I will because we've had some epic battles haha).

[Doublebounce]

Here's a funny question. Do you regret dancing to Gangnam Style in Montreal? Do you find that harder to do than playing tennis in front of thousands of people?

For those who have not seen the video, do a quick YouTube search.

[Prisoner of Birth]

Originally Posted by fpeliwo

It's a tough question to answer, as the reasons for either success or failure are quite different for everyone. Some players didn't succeed were that they didn't train hard enough, others were set back because of injuries, and some others just never had what it takes to be a top pro from the start.

My short term goals are to be around the top 500 by the end of this year, while the ultimate goal is to be the #1 player in the world and winning Grand Slams.

I first tried playing tennis around the age of 5, but I didnt start playing on a regular basis until I was 7 or 8. Even then I only played a few times a week. I would say I got a lot more serious about my training when I was 10 or 11 years old. I don't really remember how much I played exactly back then, but it wasn't as much as I needed to, as I had trouble finding hitting partners.

At the moment, a typical training day would include around 4 hours of tennis and 2 hours of fitness, although this can vary greatly depending on what we are focusing on at any given time.

My dad definitely deserves most of the credit for developing me until I started working with Tennis Canada, midway through the year I turned 15. Afterwards, I started working with Guillaume Marx and Jocelyn Robichaud, who are still my coaches at the moment, as well as Kieran Foy as my fitness trainer.

That last question is also tough to answer, as it really depends on the player's needs at the time. I would say its good to do about 50% lessons and 50% matchplay and sparring with other players, typically.

It'll be great to see that happen. Keep at it, you're shooting for the moon!

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by dmcb101

As a teaching pro, I was wondering what type of drills you do for an average practice.Is there a specific drill that you do almost every practice? Thanks!

Most of the drills I do are focused on movement, speed, and consistency. We try to vary them when we can, but if I had to choose one, I would say its when my coach is at the net volleying, moving me all around the court, into the net and back to the baseline, side to side. I have to make 6 or 7 sets of 40 shots in a row generally, although that is open to change depending on what I need to work on.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by kishnabe

You look very relieved after the Wimbledon title, did it change how you treated the US Open?

Lastly, what do you think is the main improvement in the Canadian Tennis program?

Thanks for representing Canada and inspiring other juniors.

Before I forget, it was nice to see you do the traditional Can DC dance in Montreal.

Thanks! I'm not a very good dancer haha. Last week someone saw the video and told me "you dance well for a white guy."

I was very relieved after Wimbledon, mainly because I had lost the 1st two slam finals I was in, and I had finally reached my goal of winning a slam. That definitely took the pressure off of me when I played US open, although I did need to win that as well to guarantee myself the year end #1 ranking.

I think the main improvement Tennis Canada has made was to create a training center where there is a structured program, training and competition wise, and where all the best players in the country are playing together, rather than being spread out around the country. Obviously the funding we get makes a huge difference and gives us many opportunities we wouldn't have otherwise.

[gahaha]

How often do you restring, what kind of strings do you play with?

[Bjorn99]

Hey there. I have coached someone who was number five in the world, and have trained quite a few pro athletes and I find your game very interesting Filip. Very interesting indeed. Do you mind if I make some suggestions to you?

Beyond that, I will say that you bring some things to the table that I haven't seen in a long time. Incredible energy, bounce in your legs, intensity, hand to eye coordination etc... Much better than most ATP pros in fact. Which I am sure you are aware of.

Obviously you have a lot of people overseeing your game, and normally outside suggestions are taken with a grain of salt, but I have been credited with seeing some things that most coaches in the world for some reason overlook.

But first I need to know if you are open to it. Your game as you well know is very, very unique.

If you like some of my information, the best of it would be email only.

[TopFH]

Great to have you with us, Filip! Hopefully, you can keep updating us about our progress, although be sure that we will keep a very close eye on you. I wish you the best.

PS: Don't play Federer in the near future, though.

[TheCanadian]

Originally Posted by fpeliwo

I would say I'm away about 60% of the year. My parents never really accompany me on the trips, as its quite expensive.

I actually don't take care of the travel arrangements, as Tennis Canada does that for me. They pay for pretty much everything, including flights, hotels, training. Without them I would not be able to travel like I have been for the past few years.

My parents are far from wealthy, in fact they went into debt trying to support my tennis before Tennis Canada provided me with funding. All in all I am extremely fortunate to be able to play on the tour, and would not be able to if not for Tennis Canada's support, so I'd like to thank them.

This is astonishing since I read that you were a member of some very fancy and expensive club in Vancouver. Could you tell us where you played as a junior? What club was your base?

[TheCanadian]

I first tried playing tennis around the age of 5, but I didnt start playing on a regular basis until I was 7 or 8. Even then I only played a few times a week. I would say I got a lot more serious about my training when I was 10 or 11 years old. I don't really remember how much I played exactly back then, but it wasn't as much as I needed to, as I had trouble finding hitting partners.

I find this fascinating. Rafael Nadal was already playing 4 - 5 hours a day when he was a ten-year-old. I'm very impressed by your success considering that you didn't play all that much. How did you solve the problem of a lack of hitting partners? What type of drills did you do back then with your dad? What was his knowledge of the game of tennis? Was he a good player himself? It's interesting how many parents had a determinative impact on their children's development as tennis players. What do you make of that? Malcolm Gladwell in his bestseller Outliers cites scientific studies that purport to show that practice time is the biggest predictor of acquiring expertise in any field. Typically, 10 000 hours of practice time is required to be an expert in a field such as music or sports. In sum, it's not the nebulous quality called "talent" that makes one a champion but how much time one spends working/practicing. What's your take on this?

[15_ounce]

Hi Filip,

Have you ever had a really bad injury? What did you do for recovery?

Do you have some massages after a gruelling training?

I'm allergic to any artificial sweeteners which are found in sports drink, do you have any other recommendation? I replace it with pure fresh young coconut drink. When I train, I also bring plenty of medjool dates with me and water as well.

When I have any pain in my body I never take anti inflammatory pills, instead I drink Tian Qi ginseng, and eat plenty of healthy fresh food for recovery. I eat a lot of papaya, pineapple and other fresh fruit.

I don't like taking food supplement such as protein, whey powder., etc. I want to eat as natural as I can. I like fish and seafood a lot. What about you?

[hrstrat57]

Great thread, great idea.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by TheCanadian

This is astonishing since I read that you were a member of some very fancy and expensive club in Vancouver. Could you tell us where you played as a junior? What club was your base?

I was a member at the North Shore Winter Club, which at the time wasn't nearly as expensive as it is now. Definitely not more than paying for court time.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by gahaha

How often do you restring, what kind of strings do you play with?

I play with Luxilon Original. During tournaments I use a new string for every match, usually for every ball change. I generally play until it breaks in practice, or until it's too loose, which is every few days.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by Doublebounce

Here's a funny question. Do you regret dancing to Gangnam Style in Montreal? Do you find that harder to do than playing tennis in front of thousands of people?

For those who have not seen the video, do a quick YouTube search.

I definitely don't regret doing it, I just wish I had some time to practice it before having to go on court, haha.

[NadalDramaQueen]

I don't have any questions but I would like to say congratulations on making all four finals in one year. I find it really impressive that you were able to win your final two after your first two losses.

I wish you the best and I hope you make it to the top.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by InvisibleSoul

Greetings from another Vancouverite!

I was having this discussion with a coworker a month or so ago.

We were wondering how your level as a top junior compares to some of the top long-time non-pros in town here, like Henry Choi and David Chu.

Have you played those guys before?

I have played both of them before, once each. I beat Daniel Chu in the summer of 2011 6-1 6-4, and Henry last winter, 7-5 6-2.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by fpeliwo

I have played both of them before, once each. I beat Daniel Chu in the summer of 2011 6-1 6-4, and Henry last winter, 7-5 6-2.

Oh sorry didn't realize you said David Chu. Never played him before.