Training With Jim Courier

Jim Courier the former World No 1, always tries to stay in shape.

He is on the court four days a week as well as hitting the weight room.

He even does some two-a-day sessions before competitions.

To get himself ready to play, Jim focuses on his feet.

This makes sense as he will always have his shotmaking but his footwork will definitely drop off over time (use it or lose it!!)

Here are two of the drills you can use to sharpen up.

VOLLEY STEPS

Stand at the midcourt point in your ready position, with or without a racquet.

Get a partner to stand near the net facing you.

As your partner points in one direction you should moves forward diagonally, bend low with your front leg, shadow a volley and return to the starting position.

Get your partner to point in another direction and follow that.

You can really focus on working your legs without hitting any balls.

Try Working for 30 seconds, then resting for 45 seconds; repeating six times.

Don't forget agility is a key fitness component in tennis, so forcing yourself to change direction quickly is a great way to improve it.

There’s nothing more basic in tennis than the shuffle-step.

Stand near the center of the service line in the ready position.

Push off your right leg and steps out with his left.

After three or four steps, reverse direction.

As an alternative have a partner at net pointing in different directions, which you must follow.

Again go for 30 seconds, rests for 45, and repeat six times.

Although this is a simple drill, it’s essential for any tennis player as shuffle steps are how you recover for virtually every shot at the baseline.