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A Focus on Fitness

06-07-2010

Fitness has many aspects, many flavors and many roads for the fitness seeker to take. It can not be a singular, predetermined journey. People come to fitness at different ages, and with varying levels of strength, health and athleticism. They come to it with a wide range of goals and aims.

The way we see it is as a subset of personal choices in life. We're not talking here about the Big Picture, about fundamental issues of identity and so on. Yet, what is interesting is that a human being can 1) develop a philosophy of fitness, and 2) discover that developing it well has benefits in other areas of life.

UptoFitness has taken a fairly structured approach to fitness, all within the context of the 'user's choice.' We think that makes sense. At the same time, we have learned quite a bit about the fitness game since starting the site - new approaches, new programs, new ideas.

It is our intent to bring some of these to you in the coming weeks and months. We hope this will be of benefit to our readers.

Pro Players Profiles

Profiles and descriptions of ATP and WTA pros, past and present, follow. As you peruse, keep in mind that each of these memorable pros follows or followed a fitness regimen. A concerted, focused workout plan was part of the daily routine. Most likely, workouts included resistance training. And each was grounded in tennis fundamentals; they may not be enough to catapult your game to the pro level but are a prerequisite. Put it all together and you may produce a tennis genius...you never know.

Agassi, Andre

We start with one of the greats of all times. Andre Agassi was the consummate baseliner, a tactical wizard who dedicated himself to the game after a turbulent ten first years on the pro tour. Agassi documented his own trials in his book "Open." His tennis game was a phenomenal thing - simple and spare and precise, built on his own strength and endurance under the tutelage of Gil Reyes. Andre 'punished' the opponent deliberately, prolonging rallies to tire him, while relying on his stamina and patience. A weak server in the first part of his career, Agassi developed a strong service to go along with an amazing service return game and his laser-guided groundstrokes. One of the few players to accomplish the 'Career Slam', Andre Agassi owns a leading place in tennis history.

On retiring, Andre returned to his home in Las Vegas with wife Stephanie Graf. You can grab a copy of Agassi's fascinating autobiography here:

Open: An Autobiography

Amritraj, Vijay

Amritraj was a slender, aggressive serve-and-volley specialist who was the standard-bearer of modern Indian tennis. A tall, athletic presence, Vijay played with verve and ease, and passed on his tennis genes to his son, Prakash.

Azarenka, Victoria

Victoria Azarenaka, a fast-climbing (in the rankings) Byelorussian-Arizonan has the physique, the technique, the competitiveness and the vocalization to take her to the top of the WTA. Having reached her first Major quarterfinal in Melbourne, 2010, where she fell to world #1 Serena Williams, Azarenka is a prototypical female pro of the modern era. With more experience and the addition of some subtlety to her game, 'Vicky' may chalk up some Major victories son.

Baghdatis, Marcos

Marcos Baghdatis is a special player, a talented and stocky Cypriot with powerful ground strokes and a passion for what he does. Having battled a fitness problem in the early part of his career, Marcos has proven susceptible to injury. When he is on, as he demonstrated in reaching the 2006 Melbourne final, Baghdatis reminds some observers of the talented and mercurial Chilean Marcelo Rios. Should he find a formula for health, which probably includes improved fitness, Marcos might yet achieve Major glory.

Becker, Boris

The great and enigmatic Becker loved to defy the probabilities. A Wimbledon champion at age 17, Boris invented the turf plunge when volleying, sometimes even for dramatic effect. An incredible natural serve-and-volley talent, with his articulated twisting serves hitting corners and spinning away devilishly from opponents, Becker preferred to go against the grain. Call him a natural aggressor and you provoked BB to attempt to perfect his ground game. He worked endlessly on his one-handed backhand, and would attempt to beat his rivals from the baseline. Boris defied conventionality, and left a legacy as much as showman as champion. His many moods may have eclipsed those of his rival Andre Agassi's.

Blake, James

James Blake should have been the Yin to Andy Roddick's Yang in the post-Sampras-Agassi-Courier-Chang era of American tennis. A good-natured, poetic guy with incredible court speed and an imposing forehand, Blake reached his apex with a five-set loss to Andre Agassi at the U.S. Open in 2005. Blake, whose emotions often ran high in those years, failed to turn the corner against the wounded but wily veteran, and has never threatened for Majors since.

Borg, Bjorn

Bjorn Borg. This name is synonymous with Sweden, supreme fitness and the John McEnroe era of the sport. Borg, a consummate athlete with an absurdly low resting pulse, is generally overlooked in discussions of the greatest players of all time. Yet the tireless baseliner had the aptitude and flexibility to learn to come forward on grass, and in the process combined multiple simultaneous French Open and Wimbledon victories, a truly amazing feat. Derailed in time by the isolating habits that helped him focus on his game, the mature Borg often graces the courtside boxes at Major finals. He will occasionally pop up at Senior events, elegant as ever.

Bhupathi, Mahesh

Mahesh Bhupathi, half of the former top doubles team from India, with the quickest player on tour, Leander Paes, is also basically half of modern Indian tennis. Bhupathi's curious service motion, which appears to threaten his physiology with every iteration, masks a powerful return of serve. Not familiar to most singles fans, Mahesh is noteworthy for his longevity, his public spats with the charismatic Leander, and his record of success.

Capriati, Jennifer

Jennifer Capriati was one of the early teenage phenoms, a US Open entrant at the age of 13, an astonishing talent whose career and life detoured several times. Much of this was attributable to the bubble-world of the virtuoso and the expectations of family and the tennis public. An impressionable young woman with amazing groundstrokes, Capriati left the tour after some legal troubles at age 16, and reemerged twice. Her final go-round was her best, as Capriati went deep into big events. Her power continued to impress even after the next generation of WTA players came into their own; Jennifer's exit due to injury was, like much of her career, a riddle with a bittersweet ending.

Chang, Michael

The great Michael Chang began his tennis life as the ultimate retriever, gained glory in that role, and went slowly and quietly out of the game when his great legs failed him. Chang was a Junior champion who parlayed superb focus and desire and his innate quickness into elite play. He would plant his legs like short oaks and drive his trademark backhand. His one Major came in Paris, where Michael became the first of the American Four - Sampras, Agassi, Courier being the others - to achieve that standard. By age 28-9, injury and loss of speed ended the substance of his time at the top.

Connors, Jimmy

Jimmy Connors. Say the name and most people conjure images of a yellow racquet and the 1991 US Open, when a 39 year old from Belleville, Illinois, ran rampant through the Men's draw. The intimidating comeback kid, Connors was known for his patient attacking game, his unique backhand in which his entire torso twisted, and his treatment of the volley as a dangerous but valuable asset. More than all of these, 'Jimbo' was noted for his incredible tenacity and the fighting spirit which showed itself for the last time in Queens. Connors was also a rough customer on court, staring down foes and umpires with dedicated intent. For a 5'9" player with a 95 mph serve, Jimmy Connors scaled the heights and stayed there. It took a kid from Palos Verdes to dethrone Connors as the holder of the longest consecutive time at #1 in the world rankings.

Corretja, Alex

Alex Corretja was a phenomenal clay court-hard court hybrid player who is best known for being on the other side of the net in a US Open QF match when Pete Sampras got sick. Corretja was a superbly fit player with one of the prettiest backhands of all times. Alex was also a bit of an enigma, measured against the standards of ruthless competitiveness that define pro tennis. Facing his best friend Albert Costa in a French Open final, Corretja played passively and was beaten decisively. A player who truly fits the label of 'best players never to have won a Major.

Costa, Albert

Albert Costa was a stylish and talented Spanish claycourter who eventually transcender his 'dirtballer' label to become a threat surfaces. The stocky Catalonian, winner of the French Open in a battle with friend Alex Corretja, went on to a long and distinguished career. Moving into coaching, Costa recently suffered a mild heart incident and was hospitalized in his native land.

Courier, Jim

Jim Courier was, along with Agassi, the primary evidence of the brilliance of the 'first strike forehand' philosophy of coaching legend Nick Bollitieri. Schooled at his Academy in Florida, Courier built on the first Bollitieri models like Aaron Krickstein. Combining court coverage with top-level fitness and the deadly forehand, Jim won four Majors titles. Like Michael Chang, he was eclipsed by the games and personas of Pete Sampras and 'AA', Andre Agassi. Yet Courier achieved what very few pro players have ever done. Perhaps one of the more unsung world #1s.

Davenport, Lindsay

Lindsay Davenport, the child of an Olympic volleyballer and a sunned Southern Californian from the surfing zones, made real waves throughout her WTA career. Davenport was a teenage prodigy capable of beating proven WTA players at a precocious age. With her towering height and classic groundstrokes honed under the tutelage of coaching veteran Robert Landsdorp, Lindsay became a champion early. Battling motivational issues at times in her career, Davenport sometimes showed real irritation with herself and the process during play. A multi-Slam champion, she was one of the first WTA players to retire and unretire, and played big-league tennis as a mother before finally hanging up her racquets. Lindsay was known for simply overwhelming her opponents with a classic two-handed backhand and her dominant forehand drive.

Erlich, Yoni

Jonathan 'Yoni' Erlich is one of the modern set of great and mostly unknown doubles players. The big righthander out of Israel combines power and touch, and has achieved his greatest success, including an Aussie Open title, with his countryman, the exuberant Andy Ram. Coming back from injury, the talented Israeli partnered the man with the prescription sunglasses, durable Arnauld Clement, to a QF run in the 2010 Australian Open.

Evert, Chris

The great Chris Evert was as spunky, perfectionist and colorful as could be. One of the progenitors of the modern baseline game, along with peer and former fiance Jimmy Connors, Evert dominated on the WTA for years. Her run of triumphs at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows was a reflection of her amazing execution and focus and competitive spirit. Never fleet afoot, Chris almost never missed a ground stroke. Coached by her father from a precocious age, the Floridian scaled the tennis heights and remained atop the mountain.

Federer, Roger

There is so much to say about legend Roger Feder, the greatest player of all time. We would be remiss to omit the Swiss maestro's amazing accomplishments to this point, including 15 Majors and 23 consecutive Major semifinals. Federer combines natural talent, a perfect tennis physique, a superb work ethic and a generally elite match focus to vanquish foe after foe. The special dedication page to his game details how Fed does it.

Fernandez, Mary Joe

Mary Joe Fernandez was a classic thinker on the court, a great competitor who compensated for a relative lack of power with superb focus and sweet technical strokes. A multiple Majors doubles titles winner, Fernandez reached the finals of several Majors singles events. One of many victims of the phenomenal Steffi Graf, she has transitioned into broadcasting with ESPN.

Graf, Steffi

Steffi Graf is one of the legends of the game, rocketing onto the pro tennis scene in a manner similar to phenoms such as Andrea Jaeger, Tracy Austin and Jennifer Capriati. Graf, blessed with track-star speed and enormous focus and motivation, destroyed opponents with her forehand and speed and determination. Her rivalry with Monica Seles marked much of Steffi (Stephanie) Graf's career. At a time when the ebullient Seles was defeating Graf regularly, a deranged fan stabbed Monica, effectively damaging Seles' career for good. Steffi Graf, appalled as anyone by the event, was nonetheless affected by it as well. She went on to play for many years, racking up an amazing string of Major titles, and eventually marring Andre Agassi. Graf's forehand will be remembered as one of the pioneering shots of pro tennis, for both genders. She was a pioneer in fitness and movement as well, affecting the women's game nearly as much as taskmaster Ivan Lendl set a new course and level for the men's side.

Haarhuis, Paul

Bud Collins, legendary commentator and outlandish haberdasher, once referred to the lanky Dutch giant-killer as 'the best little Haarhuis in the desert' after Paul advanced to an Indian Wells final. Haarhuis was known as the man who suprised John McEnroe at the US Open, and as one of Connors' vanquished during the veteran's 1991 run in Queens. Haarhuis was proficient in singles and brilliant in doubles with his partner, Jacco Eltingh, a fellow Dutchman.

Henman, Tim

Tim Henman was perhaps the greatest modern player never to reach a Majors final. A serve-and-volleyer by training, the thin and long Henman often threatened but fell short at his home country's main event, Wimbledon. He was an accomplished all-court player who did very well on the hard courts, particularly in the U.S. A classic volleyer with a smooth serve and a fine backhand, Henman did not have the firepower for his era's best.

Hewitt, Lleyton

Lleyton Hewitt burst onto the ATP scene at age 15, winning his hometown tournament in Adelaide, Australia. By 17 he was a threat for every tournament he played in, with his laser focus, metronomic groundstrokes and surprising volleying skills. The hardworking Aussie knocked off legend Sampras for his first Major title in 2001 and later added Wimbledon to his trophy case. Familiar for his exuberant and off-putting 'Come On's' early in his career, the second iteration of the Yonex-wielding battler yielded a mellowed, still formidable top 20 player.

Higueras, Jose

Known more for his coaching acumen than for his solid, clay-court play, the Spaniard relocated to Palm Springs, CA, had a fine career on the ATP tour. As a coach, Higueras has worked with greats such as Chang, Courier, Moya, Sampras and Roger Federer. His emphases on fitness and movement helped drive the fitness levels of today's game, along with other fine coaches.

Hingis, Martina

Martina Hingis, the Swiss Miss, was for the first part of her career the near-equivalent of Roger Federer once the great Fed achieved tennis maturity. Hingis, a Hungarian-Slovak-Swiss combo with an innate feel for the game, glided around the court with ease. Her style, which featured the classic Czech still-upper-body techniques learned by her mother, a former Czechoslovak Junior, was unerring. Hingis became #1 in the WTA rankings at the age of 16, winning her first Grand Slam title at the same age, and eventually chalked up a gaudy eight Majors in her resume. Martina retired from the game young, feeling burned out and wary of the new power surge in women's tennis. In late 2006 she returned to the game and notched some impressive results before a positive test for cocaine drew a suspension from tennis authorities. Retiring for the 'last time', Hingis remains a part of the tennis scene - and one of the foremost prodigies in the game's long history.

Kafelnikov, Yevgeny

The tall, rangy Russian was one of the game's elite in the late 90s, a brilliant ball-striker who won the French Open and added the Australian to his mantle of titles. Reminiscent of Ivan Lendl in the methodical excellence of his groundstrokes, Kafelnikov was also a natural volleyer who was sometimes criticized for not exploiting his all-court talents more frequently. Yevgeny reached #1 in the world but did not stay there long. Enigmatic and supremely talented, Kafelnikov seemed to disappear from tennis after his retirement.

King, Billie Jean

The weight of Billie Jean King's life and work transcends the game of tennis. Billie Jean, a compact serve-and-volleyer out of Long Beach, California, is one of the leading pioneers of women's sports, professional and amateur. Her tennis talents and accomplishments, which include an astounding run of Majors, should not be eclipsed by her activism. Yet some things just are. King was not just one of the top draws of the nascent women's pro tour in the 1960s and 70s; she was also one of its faces to the sports world, petitioning and requesting a fair place for women in the lucrative world of pro sports. While many people associate her with a circus match against the scrambling and hustling Bobby Riggs, it's a little-known fact that younger brother Randy Moffitt was a key relief pitcher for San Francisco's Giants in the 1970s. Today, King has a National Tennis Center named for her, and a life rich in accomplishments.

Kuerten, Guga

Few players in the history of the game have been as beloved as the soft-spoken Brazilian. A generous soul with an exceptionally stylish game and a claycourt genius, the tall Kuerten won three consecutive French Opens in the 1990s. He loved his work, his fans and Paris. In the end, the brutal torque of his powerful forehand crippled Guga's hip, and successive operations put an end to his career. One of a kind, a genuine tennis icon.

Rodney 'Rod' Laver

Decades after his retirement, Rod 'Rocket' Laver still stands as one of the all-time greats of the game. In the eyes of many, he remains the greatest of all time for his amazing feat of TWO calendar year Grand Slams. In both 1962 and 1969, the smallish lefty with the incredible work ethic and the weakness-free all-court game won each and every Major tournament. What makes this feat more amazing is that in the six intervening years, Laver was barred from playing in the Majors because of his pro status. Rod Laver was a near-perfect player with an effective serve, superb ground strokes and an impeccable volleying game. His topspin one-handed backhand was one of the greatest shots in the game's history, and his movement and fitness also shone. Thanks to the ferocious competition in his native Australia and to the friendly combat with friends and rivals such as Cliff Drysdale, Fred Stolle, Roy Emerson and Ken Rosewall, the Rocket stayed ever-sharp. A gentleman with a gentle soul, Laver still graces pro events from time to time with his presence.

Lendl, Ivan

Few have given so much to the modern game of pro tennis and been credited so little. A patriotic immigrant to the United States, the booming baseliner from Ostrava, Czechoslovakai became simultaneously the architect of the modern ground stroke and the nemesis of fading US legends such as Connors and JP McEnroe. Ivan Lendl was also the first pro to apply a rigorous fitness regimen to his schedule, and in the process reached 8 consecutive US Open finals, winning three of these. Lendl was a ferocious competitor, and went on to raise several daughters, at least two of whom may break the pro golf barrier.

McEnroe, John

John McEnroe has left and is still leaving his imprint on professional tennis in a variety of ways. The colorful New Yorker with the sharp tongue may have had the best touch in the history of the game. McEnroe's soft hands helped catapult him to the top of the tennis rankings at a youthful age. There was little more sublime than watching John dissect the court with his collection of slices, pinpoint groundstrokes and his array of volleys - from sharp angles to incredibly soft drop volleys. While promoting an image as a lackadaisacal workouter, McEnroe always kept fit on the way to seven Majors. He also bedeviled foes and officials alike with his tirades and delays, partly because they seemed intended to disrupt the opponent's rhythm and confidence. Once defaulted from the Australian Open, the brash court genius today entertains and informs tennis audiences with his pinpoint analysis of Major events action.

Murray, Andy

Who is Andy Murray? The answer to this question is a bit complicated. Murray is certainly Scotland's greatest tennis player, and the brother of an elite ATP doubles player, Jamie. As with many younger brothers in tennis families, Andy followed his sibling to training in Spain. While Jamie returned home, Andy stayed to learn baseline tennis from the coaches of 'The Spanish Armada.' Murray is Britain's next and best hope to capture a Wimbledon title after the mesmerizing and oh-so-close misses of countryman Tim Henman. A marvelously talented player with all the shots, height, reach, fluidity - and great anticipation and movement - Murray is prone to playing defensive, cat-and-mouse tennis. This reflects in part his confidence in playing various styles, but it has hampered the road to the seemingly inevitabe first Major in his trophy case. Andy is already a two-time Majors finalist, though, most recently falling to the GOAT, Roger Federer, in Australia, 2010. His time will yet come, and all of Scotland will rejoice.

Paes, Leander

The great Leander Paes is almost assuredly the greatest professional India has ever produced. The dimunitive, supremely fit Leander is one of the game's great exponents of the art of doubles. Despite a brief stint in singles early in his career, Paes has racked up numerous Major titles in both doubles and mixed doubles. He is almost certainly the quickest player at net in the game, with phenomenal hands. Despite his dimunitive stature, Leander Paes is the best volleyer around. It would take doubles players of the stature of Mark Woodforde or John McEnroe to match Paes' gifts at the net. An ebullient and energetic guy, Paes has entertained many a pro tennis fan on his way to title after title.

Rafter, Patrick

Patrick Rafter was a fascinating player to watch, innovative and persistent on court, with the best low volley ever. Rafter, who came out of Queensland, Australia and bounced around the Challengers circuit for several years, broke through in a big way in the mid 90s, capturing two US Open titles consecutively. Known for his sportsmanship and massive doses of sunblock, Pat had a remarkably consistent serve that found the corners with spin and accuracy. His baseline game was underrated, featuring a strong forehand and a backhand slice that kept him in rallies and launched him to the net for one of his superb volleying displays. Patrick just fell short at Wimbledon, losing to the charismatic Croat, Goran Ivanesevic in the finals, and never got over the hump at his home Open in Melbourne. His record was remarkable, and he leaves a legacy as one of the last serve-and-volleyers to reach the elite ATP level. Rafter, ever engaging and deceptively competitive, was truly one of a kind.

Rios, Marcelo

Marcelo Rios was one of the greatest natural talents the game has ever known. The moody Chilean lefthander with the heavy Yonex RD-10 racquet could do it all. He had near-Agassi baseline skills, an underrated serve, a great court sense, supreme confidence and touch with his shots that rivaled the gifted McEnroe. He was also undisciplined and arrogant in his approach, disrespecting some of his opponents and firing his coach, Stefanki, after the sunburnt Californian guided Marcelo to the world's top spot. Deprived of a Major win by the Czech Korda, later suspended for PEDs use, Rios remains one of the object lessons of the sport. For, despite all of his astounding gifts, he never really approached his potential in the sport.

[Roddick, Andy]

Safin, Marat

Marat Safin enjoyed the dual distinction of being one of the game's great talents and great characters simultaneously. A towering Muscovite with a disarming way of poking fun at himself and others, Marat Safin burst on the scene in 2000 when he destroyed Pete Samras to win the first of two Majors titles, the second coming in Australia in 2005. Safin had a powerful serve, but was probably best known on court for his awesome down-the-line backhand, a stroke he sometimes executed while airborne. The charismatic Safin never realized his full potential, due to lapses in focus and serious knee injuries. He continued to provoke excited reactions from fans throughout his erratic career; in his last years on tour Marat also supplied timely advice to his younger sister, the former #1 Dinara Safina.

Sampras, Peter

Pete Sampras dazzled tennis fans worldwide with his complete game, his stunning athleticism and his serve. Tutored by an iconoclastic coach, Sampras 'remade' his game at age 15, transforming himself from a dimunitive two-handed backhanded baseliner to a tall, lightning-quick all-courter with an unreadable, high-RPM serve. Taught to hit flat, topspin and slice serves from the same ball toss location, Sampras developed the game's best serve. His volleying was also spectacular, his running forehand was a classic of all time, and his backhand, often maligned by tennis fans, served him well in his extended prime. Pete became the standard for pro tennis players, and remained the court nemesis for the talented enignma from the desert, Andre Agassi. A man of some temper on court, Sampras idolized the classic and classy Australian old-schoolers, distancing himself from his American predecessors Connors and JP McEnroe.

[Seles, Monica]

Sharapova, Maria

The lofty, leggy Russian-Floridian Maria Sharapova is another prototype of the modern pro game. While her early life bears some resemblance to that of Anna Kournikova, including years at the Bollitieri Academy in Florida, Sharapova has achieved far more success on tour than former phenom Kournikova. Maria is a rarity - a prodigy who fulfilled at least some of her potential. Like Lindsay Davenport in her day, Sharapova can dissect opponents with her mighty groundstrokes. Raised on the baseline bashing style that has consumed serve-and-volleyers everywhere, Sharapova has battled shoulder - and serve - problems for several years. She has not yet regained the form that guided her to three Grand Slam singles titles, including at Wimbledon. Maria's tennis future is open and uncertain as of this writing.

Srichaphan, Paradorn

Paradorn is Thailand's important contribution to the ATP tour. Srichaphan, coached by his father, rose slowly in the rankings until achieving a real breakthrough in the early 00's. A big, strong, exuberant player with a flashy one-handed backhand, Paradorn was an exponent of purposeful baseline bashing. Despite his Thai upbringing, the influences of the Bollieterri Style are evident in his game. The aggressive ground game that began with Aaron Krickstein, Jim Courier and Andre Agassi eventually became the dominant strategic pattern of the modern pro game. In 2006 he was a semifinalist at Indian Wells and at one point was ranked ninth in the world. Paradorn is beloved in Thailand and Asia, and while injuries have curtailed his career, his example has inspired young Asians to aspire to tennis greatness.

[Williams, Serena]

Williams, Venus

Venus Williams helped redefine the term 'prodigy' in women's tennis. The second-youngest daughter in a family of girls, Venus was on the court early under the tutelage of her controversial father, Richard Williams. She first played in a WTA event in Oakland, California at the age of 14 or 15. Within a few years, she was a Major champion in New York, and has gone on to chalk up a number of Grand Slam Titles. Without question, Venus is the Queen of Wimbledon, a superior attacking player with a beautiful and powerful slice first serve, a very reliable backhand, a killer forehand when 'on', and excellent volleys to go with an intimidating overhead. With her considerable wing span and athleticism, Venus Williams has been #1 in the world and certainly the second-best player of her era next to younger sister Serena. Yet, injuries and specific vulnerabilities (second serve and forehand inconsistency) have kept the elder 'Sister' from dominating the WTA circuit. Nonetheless, Venus' durability and ability to win major events as age and injury have 'checked in' are very impressive indeed.