TENNIS BB&T ATLANTA OPEN – With the average age of the ATP player being twenty seven and having greater longevity to their careers it was of interest to watch former US Open Semi Finalist and world number 15 Robby Ginepri beat Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-0 in a first round match at the BB&T Atlanta Open. By Jonny Fraser (Science in Tennis, iTPA Master Tennis Performance Specialist) and Mike James (GTPCA International Coach)
With the average age of the ATP player being twenty seven and having greater longevity to their careers it was of interest to watch former US Open Semi Finalist and world number 15 Robby Ginepri beat Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-0 in today’s first round match at the BB&T Atlanta Open. Building up to the event it was of intrigue listening to Ginepri during the previous weekend at the Internal Tennis Performance Association conference discussing the physical changes and how over the past decade players have a greater appreciation of both sport sciences and medicine. Indeed Ginepri made reference to this, at his academy where players from a younger age are being exposed to the sport science disciplines including strength and conditioning training, sport psychology and performance nutrition.
Ginepri’ exuberance and appreciation of the physicality of the game to chase every ball down was there to see with his Atlanta based academy players cheering on the home favourite. Without question his dogged approach and ability to cope with the humidity was the decisive factor in the outcome of the match. Despite this the momentum on a number of occasions was in Stakhovsky’s favour. During the first set when serving at 5-4 a struggling Ginepri was let off the hook when a sloppy drop volley at 15-0 went wide. From here Ginepri went onto win the next two games without losing a point and it was clear the Georgia player had gained control of the first set. There was no surprise when he took a routine first set tie break 7-3. Following a comfortable second set the game appeared to be going back in control to the Ukrainian, Stakhovsky favour. However Ginepri again showed a greater desire physically and mentally in the final set. With a one sided third set, the American taking it 6-0 it is likely both the physical and mental sides of tennis are two sport science disciplines Ginepri has appreciated with his longevity on the tour. From Ginepri’s performance and listening to him speak it is clear these are essential disciplines and he looks to install these at his academy in Atlanta.
