Fitness Regiment of Pro Players

[JPW]

I love tennis, but I'm only a recreational player. I watch quite a bit of Tennis Channel and can't help but notice the incredible fitness of these pro players. These guys are ripped.

So is it the fact that they play so much tennis that is allowing them to reach this level of fitness or is it the fitness regiment and diet they have outside of playing tennis that is allowing them to reach this level of fitness? I'm curious to hear if others might know something first-hand from pro players.

[LeeD]

A top level pro in ANY real sport needs both tons of time doing what they do, and also time working out to get in the best of shape.
Your body can only handle so much, so recovery time, aka PED's, might also become part of your routine....or not.
Don't you know any high school athletes? College? Well, the pros work out more.

[Funbun]

Heck no, playing tennis straight up is not so much exercise. Pros train to play tennis athletically, not the other way around. The game is very technical. However, playing it is a different story at the higher level, where usually your level of fitness can determine the outcome of some points, and your longevity into the match.

Remember that points are typically short, and there is quite some time to rest in between points.

[bjk]

I saw Troicki and Djoker practicing. Nole was insanely ripped, Victor was packing a paunch. Fitness levels differ.

[kimbahpnam]

Originally Posted by LeeD

A top level pro in ANY real sport needs both tons of time doing what they do, and also time working out to get in the best of shape.
Your body can only handle so much, so recovery time, aka PED's, might also become part of your routine....or not.
Don't you know any high school athletes? College? Well, the pros work out more.

since when did recovery time and PEDs become the same thing?

[Zildite]

Originally Posted by kimbahpnam

since when did recovery time and PEDs become the same thing?

Many of PEDs going around involve improving recovery time from fatigue or injury.

[michael valek]

can you imagine or have you tried playing a 3 or 5 set match on clay? .fitness needs to be massive. hard courts, less so.

[jdubbs]

Originally Posted by Funbun

Heck no, playing tennis straight up is not so much exercise. Pros train to play tennis athletically, not the other way around. The game is very technical. However, playing it is a different story at the higher level, where usually your level of fitness can determine the outcome of some points, and your longevity into the match.

Remember that points are typically short, and there is quite some time to rest in between points.

What level do you play? At the 4.5 level, singles tennis is a heck of a lot of exercise. In fact the year i came back to tennis after a decade off, i lost 15 pounds.

[brettsticker86]

The higher the level of tennis, the more time is needed to dedicate not only to practice, but to fitness. Tennis fitness is highly sport specific. I had the privilege of playing in college and playing a few professional tournaments. The time put in, if done properly, is going to be at least 5-6 hrs a day, minimum I'd say. This includes practice and conditioning. Again,this is for PROPER training. Some guys do more, some do less, but this I would say is the average. Again, depending on what level you play at, the more time is required the higher you get. Remember at any level, hard work pays off!

[Magnetite]

It's everything. The amount of tennis, the off-court work, the diet, the recovery program e.t.c ..

It's like this in any sport at any level. Whoever has the best regiment wins (if talent is reasonably equal).

[Marius_Hancu]

See my collection at:

Great Fitness Sites
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=15571

[LeeD]

You need only skill to beat someone 2 levels below you.
You need some fitness to beat your peers.
You need total fitness to lose decently to a superior player.

[stringertom]

At pro tourneys I've worked at, I get tired WATCHING what these guys go through in just their prematch workouts. One finalist was working out (running, stretching) three hours prior to his match.

[boramiNYC]

These guys are super fit. However, the average fitness level in our 'cultured' society is not that impressive at all. Imagine hunting and gathering time of the history. I'm sure every one of the viable men was in really good shape. Like animals in the wilds.

It's not only how fit they 'appear'. If you work out like hell and produce similar muscle sizes and cardio level, you'd still not be playing any tennis that's even close to their level. Coordination, balance, agility, etc usually are not from simply working out. The incredible drive to focus so much physical force into hitting each shot while they practice and play is the main driving force to develop the kind of body they have.

You have to work on refining the technique based on biomechanics which allows you to focus large force in a coordinated manner. And strong drive to do it better and better whatever it takes until you are happy with the level. Their fitness regimen is more like a support system or maintenance plan then driving force.

[Funbun]

Originally Posted by jdubbs

What level do you play? At the 4.5 level, singles tennis is a heck of a lot of exercise. In fact the year i came back to tennis after a decade off, i lost 15 pounds.

I play first singles tennis in high school. Now that I read back, my statement was too subjective. My apologies.

What I meant was that tennis features brief periods of high intensity, and comparatively, there are certainly many other sports that require a much greater deal of endurance, strength, and stamina.

Certainly, you can get quite fit from tennis, but to transcend your body's conditioning beyond hopping around, hitting strokes, running a bit, you're likely going to need to train yourself to specifically increase your endurance and stamina.

I just don't think playing merely matches and tennis drills will get you necessarily fitter.

In relativity, I'd say that tennis alone will not do much to get you faster, have a better lung capacity, etc. You'll likely need to mix in some cardio, interval training...

[JPW]

Great responses, but I should have probably worded this differently. I guess I was more curious around what people thought was the greatest contributing factor to these guys looking like they do. Does it primarily have to do with playing tennis or something else? From the responses so far it sounds like tennis actually has very little to do with it and more to do with what they are doing off the court. I also can't help but wonder what these guys diets are. Do they eat whatever they want or are they practicing good diet behavior?

Originally Posted by michael valek

can you imagine or have you tried playing a 3 or 5 set match on clay? .fitness needs to be massive. hard courts, less so.

guess you missed the 2012 au open. might want to check the semis and final out.

Originally Posted by JPW

Great responses, but I should have probably worded this differently. I guess I was more curious around what people thought was the greatest contributing factor to these guys looking like they do. Does it primarily have to do with playing tennis or something else? From the responses so far it sounds like tennis actually has very little to do with it and more to do with what they are doing off the court. I also can't help but wonder what these guys diets are. Do they eat whatever they want or are they practicing good diet behavior?

as you can guess from results, it varies. there are some that are extremely disciplined with diet and exercise. others may spend the night before a big match at a nightclub drinking vodka and soda. it varies.

[swordtennis]

Originally Posted by JPW

Great responses, but I should have probably worded this differently. I guess I was more curious around what people thought was the greatest contributing factor to these guys looking like they do. Does it primarily have to do with playing tennis or something else? From the responses so far it sounds like tennis actually has very little to do with it and more to do with what they are doing off the court. I also can't help but wonder what these guys diets are. Do they eat whatever they want or are they practicing good diet behavior?

This is the big time massive $Bling.
Google the best and innovative and get an idea.
They got the best of everything and discipline.
Physio-Training, diet, science, sleep, sex.
Physio training is not weight training it could include it or not.
As and example Nadal does not lift weights and dislikes it.

[michael valek]

that was my point. imagine going 5 sets with nadal, or borg. of course for djoko and nadal its a whole different level