Candy Reid's Tennis Mailbag
 Robby Ginepri
| E-mail us: Put your questions to Czech star Nicole Vaidisova in Candy Reid's next Tennis Mailbag. Send your queries to candy@cnn.com | |
(CNN) -- World Sport's Candy Reid recently caught up with U.S. tennis star Robby Ginepri and asked him to respond to some of your e-mails. Q: Dear Robby, The pro tour seems like it could be a hard life, with so much travel. And tennis is an isolating sport -- being, for the most part, playing one-on-one. Is there much socializing among opponents? Or is it necessary to keep your distance from the others in order to be "up" to defeat them? What are the toughest elements of the tour for you?
Rama; Freiburg, Germany A: The pro tennis tour can be a very isolated world -- you see the same people week in and week out so you have to learn to balance your friendships with other players along with your competitive nature. I do have some very good friends on Tour, mostly Americans I have grown up playing with, but playing on the Tour certainly provides an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I think as you go further into a tournament, you have a tendency to isolate yourself more from other players in social settings, especially those you might have to play late in the event. However, the current group of American players do play cards almost every day and everyone is always ready for a good game of billiards in the player lounge. Q: Dear Robby, After such an amazing comeback last year, what are you working on with your game to improve even more and make it into the top 10 this year?
Stef; Missouri A: My biggest focus is to continue to work on my fitness as I did last summer. While I train very hard in off weeks, I have learned how important it is for me to continue that conditioning during tournament weeks. It's not at the same intensity level, but keeping up a certain level of fitness prevents (hopefully) your body from breaking down when you play on such a regular basis. Q: Dear Robby, I was wondering how much time you get to spend at home throughout the whole year and what is your favorite thing to do while you're at home.
David A: I spend about 10-15 weeks at home in a normal year. If I am at home during the season, I still need to continue to train and practice so that I am ready for the next time I hit the road. During the weeks immediately following the end of the season, I try not to pick up a racquet for at least a couple weeks. It is important to take a break to let your mind and body heal and get recharged so that you are always eager to return to practice, especially since we need to be ready for the trip down to Australia every January. I think my favorite thing to do while I am at home is to just hang out with my friends and family, watching sports events and working on my house. 
CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.
|
 |
CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.
|
| 
External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pay service with live and archived video. 
