In our ‘Coaching with the Execs’ sequence, Arina Rodionova shares her coaching routines and her favorite strategies of constructing endurance.
Australia, 26 April 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Arina Rodionova’s perseverance is paying off in 2024, with the Australian notching a number of spectacular milestones.
The 34-year-old grew to become the oldest lady to debut contained in the world’s high 100 in singles in February. Then in April, she scored her first victory representing Australia within the Billie Jean King Cup competitors.
The hard-working Rodionova offers an perception into her apply routines and gives useful recommendation in our Prepare with the Execs sequence.
Do you could have a favorite time of day to apply?
I’d say round 11am. It provides you adequate time to sleep in and have a soothing cup of espresso, then by the point you do your mobility and warm-up, it’s time to hit.
Do you could have a favorite a part of your recreation to work on?
I don’t love taking part in factors in apply, I lose focus fairly fast for some purpose. I like doing completely different drills and working side-to-side, which is mainly what I do on court docket. I take pleasure in doing two-on-ones or one-on-ones. It may be a bit robust, however you can also make it brief and sharp.
What’s the final favorite a part of your recreation to work on?
Most likely excessive balls, I don’t love engaged on these. They’re not my favorite shot and perhaps that’s why.
A number of top-ranked gamers say they like taking part in factors in apply, why is that not the case for you?
It’s probably not a contest while you’re taking part in factors in apply. I favor plenty of drills and repetition. Final yr I performed plenty of matches, so I didn’t have to play factors exterior of the tournaments. This yr is trying a little bit bit completely different, however I simply favor to do drills. I play tournaments nearly each week, so I don’t overlook methods to play factors.
Are you able to recall the primary alternative you needed to apply with knowledgeable participant?
My sister (Anastasia) was a professional participant, and she or he is seven years older than me, so it was in all probability her. I grew to become professional myself once I was 14, so it was a very long time in the past.
Having an older sister taking part in tennis will need to have been an enormous benefit and inspiration for you?
After all. It was good to have household on tour. It was undoubtedly useful.
Do any explicit apply periods all through your profession stand out as probably the most memorable?
I take pleasure in when my practices are enjoyable and there’s music taking part in. I like doing enjoyable drills, quite than doing the identical factor again and again and over. Practices throughout World TeamTennis over in America had been at all times a little bit of enjoyable. There’d be girls and boys on court docket, we’d being doing random stuff. It was at all times completely different and fascinating.
Who’re your favorite gamers on tour to apply with?
There are a couple of ladies I’ve been hitting with these days, significantly the Dutch ladies, Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove and Arianne Hartono, in addition to Aleksandra Krunic. I wish to apply with somebody who has a pleasant constant ball in an effort to get some rhythm. I don’t love taking part in with large hitters, as a result of they attempt to hit a winner off every thing and it’s not precisely very nice while you’re making an attempt to apply and discover rhythm. There are some ladies I’ll in all probability by no means apply with once more on tour. I shouldn’t say their names however if you happen to’re taking part in on tour, you’d know these folks.
Is there anybody from tennis historical past you’d most wish to have successful with?
I’d say Martina Hingis, however we did get to play World TeamTennis collectively and that was enjoyable. It was nice to speak to her about her experiences. She was a tremendous tennis participant, so there was so much to study from her.
You’re identified in your supreme health. Do you prioritise off-court coaching over on-court coaching?
It relies upon. If I’m taking part in plenty of matches, then I don’t truly spend plenty of time within the fitness center as a result of I need to get better and be contemporary for my subsequent match. If I do have a spare week, then I do like doing fitness center. I additionally like going for lengthy runs. So, if I really feel prefer it and my physique feels good, then I’ll go for a 10-kilometre run. I like doing sprints too, however the bike just isn’t my favorite. I truly actually don’t prefer it, however typically you’ve bought to do what you’ve bought to do. However working is one thing that undoubtedly helps me.
What recommendation would you share with an aspiring participant to maximise their coaching periods?
It is dependent upon your age, however for many younger gamers, it’s essential to get hours on court docket. While you’re younger, your depth just isn’t as excessive. Even if you happen to suppose you’re working laborious, you’re in all probability not. Placing within the hours and the laborious work at all times helps. It may not assist in the subsequent week, however within the month or yr after, it’s going to assist for positive.
Lastly, if you happen to had 5 minutes remaining in a apply session and will do something you would like, what would you select?
Most likely volleying, that’s at all times enjoyable. It’s not very laborious, however nonetheless improves your expertise and your reactions. You simply must attempt to not get killed on the web.
> READ MORE: From our “Prepare with the professionals” sequence
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