After backpacking through Spain sharing a room with 7 people, I was glad to check in to the Nick Bollettieri tennis academy in Bradenton Florida. The tennis academy has produced many top players including Agassi, Sharapova, Jankovic, and Seles. Originally just a tennis academy for nationally ranked tennis players, the academy now has a 9 month junior program and a year round adult program. The 350 acre campus now offers golf, baseball, football, soccer, and tennis.
Day one was a bit shaky after not having played much tennis on the trip. It did not help that due to the rain Sharapova and Jelena Janjovic were training on 2 of the 4 courts next to me as I am warming up. They were both training for the US open which starts next week. Bollettieri is very proud of both of the women for reaching the top ranks and watches them from the side. He looks over at my court and sees one of the players in my group having issues and walks over to correct her stroke. He then takes the time to watch all over us hit. After watching me hit my forehand cross court, he extends his hand and congratulates me. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. After day one I am exhausted, my feet are blistered and my quads are incredibly sore.
Six hours of tennis a day playing on green clay took all the energy out of me. The food on campus is delicious and servings are massive. I find myself eating 2-3 full plates of food with at least 2 types of protein at each meal. My clothes are drenched after each session and I limp back to my room and fall asleep by 10pm every night.
I had a private lesson with the coach of Marcelo Rios every morning where we work on my groundstrokes, volley, and serve. His main observation is that I play very tight at the beginning of warm up and in my matches. The rest of the coaches also comment on how I just need to let things go and accept making mistakes on the court and not be afraid of errors. During mental conditioning sessions, the coach shows me video and I realise that I am a good player. Prior to watching the video I was disappointed about all the errors that morning. It’s interesting how our perception of ourselves can be way off from reality.
Today is my final day in the US and it is bittersweet. I enjoyed having the delicious large meals and intense training, but I am glad to be back in Canada tonight with friends in Montreal. I’m almost in Vancouver and I can’t wait to unpack the backpack which is getting very full and heavy.
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