| p>fter trashing Guillermo Canas 6-0, 6-3 in the MUTUA | | | | the greater care you have to take with it. In some |
| MADRILENA MASTERS MADRID 2007, Federer | | | | ways an athlete's body is like the strings on a violin. As |
| made the following comment; "I was especially | | | | you fine tune it, the sound produced can be sublime, |
| disappointed with the Miami loss, so to beat him later in | | | | but, with the increase in sound quality, the risk of |
| the year after two tough losses is nice." | | | | breaking the strings is much higher as well. |
| To me that answer did not make one bit of horse | | | | Of course there is a lot more to it then what meets |
| sense! Why would Federer be upset to have lost in | | | | the eye in tournament play. Knowledge of the |
| Key Biscayne, Florida (U.S.A.)? when the altitude is | | | | conditions and quick adaptation to the environment you |
| about only 3 Meters (9 Feet) above sea level, the | | | | are going to play in; court surface, court size, |
| courts are relatively slow, the balls do not move at all, | | | | back-drops, colours, wind patterns, tennis balls, lighting, |
| the humidity and heat are unbearable, breathing is a | | | | sun position, shoes, racket string tension, clothing, |
| torture, the wind blows from every direction, all in all | | | | sleeping plus drinking water, nutrition, mental preparation, |
| conditions that highly favored a marathon type player | | | | regeneration and more...are all fundamental. |
| from torrid and humid South America like Cañas, | | | | An early arrival of 2 to 3 days before the tournament |
| with an extremely low unforced error percentage (the | | | | begins allied to proper nutrition, physical and tennis |
| so called "paparra"*). | | | | training, can definitely make a huge difference in the |
| Roger's more honest answer would have been "Yep, | | | | outcome of your performance in a tennis tournament. |
| Miami hurt but Indian Wells hurt even more because I | | | | The no respect of this rule at ATP/WTA professional |
| was playing under conditions that favored me, with an | | | | level, many times leads to injuries and often to the |
| altitude of about 500 FT (167 M) and weather identical | | | | surprise early exit of seeded players, who were late |
| to my city of birth, Basel 853 FT (260 M), on pretty | | | | arrivals due to overloaded schedules, final play in a |
| quick courts, with fast high bouncing topspin shots, | | | | previous tournament and a myriad of other reasons. |
| rather low skidding balls on my slices and volleys, but in | | | | In the tennis high altitude tournament play the scenario |
| the end Canas still nailed me!" | | | | is no different, even though some believe if you can't |
| In conclusion to the question, Roger Federer could | | | | train at altitude for at least two or preferably four to |
| have said; "Even though those two defeats hurt me, in | | | | five weeks, prior to the tournament, your next best |
| Madrid at an altitude of about 1,969 FT (656 M) with all | | | | choice appears to be to compete immediately. But, |
| other conditions in my favour, fast moving balls high | | | | since most athletes compete at their worst 24 to 48 |
| boucing on quick tennis courts, very low skidding balls | | | | hours after arriving at altitude, in my opinion you should |
| on my slices on my attacks and volleys, plus the key | | | | keep in mind that everyone is in the same boat |
| factor of playing on an indoor tennis court which | | | | (exception, the ones born and who lived many years in |
| virtually and effectively reduces Canas defense | | | | high altitude) therefore an early arrival of at least 3 |
| capabilities by about 50% when the defense is indeed | | | | days before the tournament should be enforced and |
| the core of his game, I knew that no matter how bad I | | | | give you a small edge by passing the 48hr threshold. |
| played, chances were 95% in my favor that I would | | | | As far as Federers comment, of course he knows |
| win." (Note- The 5% left in Canas favor would be in | | | | what's going on, but he has to say something to the |
| case of a Federer injury!) | | | | hungry press and certainly it will not be the real truth |
| This would have made plenty more sense to me, | | | | that he keeps for himself in the only place he can |
| what about you? | | | | have true privacy for his pains and tribulations on the |
| In reference to "high altitude play" 1,800 FT (600 | | | | tour, his heart! |
| metres) is not a real challenge even though it does | | | | *In South America a tennis "paparra" is "el que passa |
| affect play, but anything at the 3,000 FT (1,000 M) and | | | | mil y una pelotas (bolas)" the one that gets a thousand |
| above sea level should be approached with much | | | | and one balls over the net without making a mistake. In |
| respect and longer then a 3 day preparation should be | | | | short, "the tennis players nightmare"! |
| planned. As a tennis player here are some places to | | | | ** For example, living at high altitude 6,000 FT (2,000 M) |
| watch for; Mexico City, Mexico 7,349 FT (2,240 M), | | | | or above and training at lower altitude between 3000 |
| Quito, Equador, 9,200 FT (2,800 M), Johannesburg | | | | FT (1,000 M) and 4,200 feet (1,400 M), with proper |
| 5,751.3 FT (1,753 metres), Lima depending on location | | | | medical supervision (iron intake, VO2 max, lactates and |
| up to 5,079 FT (1,548 M), Gstaad 3'150 F (1,050 M) and | | | | other important controls), should bring the best results. |
| a few others. | | | | - NOTE WELL, this is NOT a training plan, nor advise |
| Altitude play can be a real curse or a blessing | | | | for unsupervised athletes or anyone else. An individual |
| depending on how well you adapt and the type of | | | | professional training plan, professional advise and |
| game you play. Altitude training (sometimes simulated | | | | medical supervision before, during and after training is a |
| altitude in pressurized systems) is a blessing because, | | | | must! DO NOT and I repeat, DO NOT try high altitude |
| done the right way** and at the right times in the year, | | | | training alone, trying it alone can put YOUR LIFE AT |
| can lead to the natural gain of red blood cells which | | | | RISK, so DO NOT DO IT without a highly qualified |
| are so much in need for top performance. | | | | professional training team and medical support! |
| The more an athletes body is at the top of its fitness, | | | | |