Ask me anything about being a professional tennis player

[sonicare]

hey filip,

First of all, thanks for doing this.

If the devil offered you a deal right now..

you only ever win Wimbledon once..and nothing else your entire career..

will you take it?

p.s is wimbledon your favourite tournament like it is for most pros to win?

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by klementine79

^oh yeah... the desserts alone kind of make me wish I too had married a Polish woman!

Do you or did you play another sports growing up? Hockey, Basketball, Fútbol, etc.. and had to make that tough decision?

or any other sport related hobbies you're into? Biking, climbing? I'm sure some of those activities helped in developing some tennis skills.

I came from lacrosse, so unless they remove the net one day and allow for full contact tennis... my background didn't help. Except for maybe footwork.

The desserts are amazing!

I played soccer (futbol) at a high level in Vancouver, and had to make the decision between tennis and soccer at the age of 14.

I like to be outdoors, so anything like hiking, mountain biking, swimming, I enjoy. Pretty much any other sports as well, such as basketball and hockey.

[klementine79]

^ Soccer, nice. Footwork and endurance sure do crossover into tennis. My Greek national team did alright in Poland this past summer.

Just don't tell me you're a Real Madrid fan!

[Cheetah]

Best thread ever. Thanks Filip.

Typically on your fh when you push off the right leg for an open stance fh are you lifting up using your quadriceps or your hamstrings? Are you putting your weight on your heel when you step down on the right foot or do you think your weight is on the ball of your foot?

Also, do you have any clothing contracts currently?

Thanks.

[Bjorn99]

Filip, if you want a big advantage over all the other players, email me at barrymore99@hotmail.com

Someone here, did bring up a good point about length of swing and potential for injury and all that, and it was very valid. But what if you didn't have to worry about injury like everyone else?

I am trying to reach out to you, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I am in midst of doing the same thing for the best young center in the NHL. Someone far more established at this point than you are, but at the same time, Canadian, young and very talented. Like yourself.

Having a proprietary advantage for a few years, for Canadians is something I am providing. And NO, its not steroids. Although, in their regard, I am an authority, and can assure you that many of the guys you will be going up against are cheating and will never be exposed. Something truly proprietary from their standpoint. And its why they are where they are, and why you are going to have to become great, fast, or never get invited into the "club". Nuff said.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by klementine79

^ Soccer, nice. Footwork and endurance sure do crossover into tennis. My Greek national team did alright in Poland this past summer.

Just don't tell me you're a Real Madrid fan!

Haha I used to be when the Brazilian Ronaldo and Figo played. Now I don't like them as much.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

Best thread ever. Thanks Filip.

Typically on your fh when you push off the right leg for an open stance fh are you lifting up using your quadriceps or your hamstrings? Are you putting your weight on your heel when you step down on the right foot or do you think your weight is on the ball of your foot?

Also, do you have any clothing contracts currently?

Thanks.

Thanks, I'm glad you like it!

Well, I use my quads more, as those are the muscles activated more in that position. I generally put weight onto my heel, and transfer it to the ball of my foot, and then push off forward into the ball.

I am going to sign with Lacoste, as soon as the contract arrives in the mail.

[Cheetah]

Originally Posted by fpeliwo

Thanks, I'm glad you like it!

Well, I use my quads more, as those are the muscles activated more in that position. I generally put weight onto my heel, and transfer it to the ball of my foot, and then push off forward into the ball.

I am going to sign with Lacoste, as soon as the contract arrives in the mail.

Great answer. We've been discussing this in another thread.

Thanks and good luck.

[LeeD]

Yup, heel.
Nobody can play any sport only on the balls of their feet. Not even hopscotch.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

Great answer. We've been discussing this in another thread.

Thanks and good luck.

Happy I could clear that up for you.

Thanks!

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Yup, heel.
Nobody can play any sport only on the balls of their feet. Not even hopscotch.

Haha it's not possible. It's basic body mechanics, you need to use your whole foot to move properly and stay balanced.

[LeeD]

I think Cheetah and I have argued with several other posters on this subject. He and I say we gotta use the heel, to push off to balls of feet, by the calf muscle. Our detractors say a good player stays on his toes...which we know mean balls of the feet. They cite a world class runner finishing his 5K or 10K using only the balls of his feet, in a semi sprint. I say, bad example.
Cheetah and I often argue about the most inane things.

[CCNM]

What are your thoughts on the NHL strike? I'm at the point where I just don't care anymore. I'd much rather go on Youtube and watch old games/documentaries from the 70's, 80's, and 90's; and read about the legends of the game.

[Gonzalito17]

That is a really cool story about Federer talking with you like a friend he's known for years at the Wimbledon dinner. Hard not to like Fed. Hope you get to hit with him soon.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by LeeD

I think Cheetah and I have argued with several other posters on this subject. He and I say we gotta use the heel, to push off to balls of feet, by the calf muscle. Our detractors say a good player stays on his toes...which we know mean balls of the feet. They cite a world class runner finishing his 5K or 10K using only the balls of his feet, in a semi sprint. I say, bad example.
Cheetah and I often argue about the most inane things.

Haha, yeah you need to be on the balls of your feet before you split step, to be ready, but just try to run without using your heel at all. You will look like a circus clown... After you split step you run as you normally would, by transferring your weight throughout your whole foot.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by CCNM

What are your thoughts on the NHL strike? I'm at the point where I just don't care anymore. I'd much rather go on Youtube and watch old games/documentaries from the 70's, 80's, and 90's; and read about the legends of the game.

Honestly, it doesn't bother me that much. I can't keep up with every game when I'm away, so I usually just watch the playoffs anyway. I can handle one year without hockey, haha. Sucks for all the juniors getting drafted this year though.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by Gonzalito17

That is a really cool story about Federer talking with you like a friend he's known for years at the Wimbledon dinner. Hard not to like Fed. Hope you get to hit with him soon.

Yeah he is a great person. I would definitely love to hit with him, and to have the chance to play him in a match, before he retires.

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by sonicare

hey filip,

First of all, thanks for doing this.

If the devil offered you a deal right now..

you only ever win Wimbledon once..and nothing else your entire career..

will you take it?

p.s is wimbledon your favourite tournament like it is for most pros to win?

I wouldn't take it. I do think I can do better than just one, but at the end of my career, if had just won one slam, and had given my absolute best, I guess that I can't have any regrets. One slam is much better than none!

If I had to choose one, it would be a tough decision. I think I would end up choosing Wimbledon, though

[Gonzalito17]

Originally Posted by fpeliwo

Yeah he is a great person. I would definitely love to hit with him, and to have the chance to play him in a match, before he retires.

Would you really really try to beat Fed? Or would you just try to play him tough to get respect but subconsciously defer to the legend? ) (seems some young players are kinda afraid to beat the legends)

[fpeliwo]

Originally Posted by Gonzalito17

Would you really really try to beat Fed? Or would you just try to play him tough to get respect but subconsciously defer to the legend? ) (seems some young players are kinda afraid to beat the legends)

I always try to win every match, and this would be no different. I would love to be able to say that I beat Federer. I have respect for him, but on the court is a different story. You have to show respect to the guy, but a way of doing that is also to give your absolute best and not only try to make it a close match. He is good enough to beat me on his own, so I wouldn't make it easier for him by not giving my 100% effort.