You already know "The Twelve Days of Christmas"—so we're doing something a little different this year. Throughout December, we'll highlight 12 things about the 2014 PowerShares Series, a competitive tennis circuit featuring legendary icons and world-renowned champions beginning on February 5.
Next up, two-time French Open champion and former world No. 1 Jim Courier.
1. How do you train to prepare for the PowerShares Series?
I am often asked to compare how I train today to how I trained in my 20s, and the answer is about 40 percent as much/hard. At 43, my body wouldn't be able to handle the way—and amount—I used to train. I always train to be fit enough for my worst case scenario on the court, which used to be five sets in my ATP days. In the PowerShares Series two sets is the maximum I have to play in any given one-night tournament, so that is what I train for on and off of the court.
Tennis-wise, I typically play five days a week in the month leading up to the tour, with a usual session consisting of two practice sets, which typically takes about 90 minutes. I'll also do some drills for specific shots if I feel a little off with anything, but generally these days it's all about playing points to keep sharp. I also hit the weight room twice a week to keep my muscles fit. I'll do upper and lower body weights to maintain strength as I'm not looking to add muscle at all. Daily core strength work—five times a week—is also key. To top it all off, I'll do some sprint work of various lengths on the track (20's, 50's, 100's).
Stretching is a must at any age, so I spend time stretching daily, especially my back, as I have been fighting a bulging disc in my lower back for about 10 years now.
2. Among PowerShares Series players, who was your toughest opponent during your career and why?
Pete Sampras has traditionally been the toughest opponent for me because, for starters, he's a pretty good player. His serve is so difficult to return—both first and second—and he knows how to apply pressure at the right time. I never feel like Pete's going to blow me off the court because I tend to be able to hold serve against him more often than not, but he has a tremendous knack for holding serve and then finding a way to break serve late in a set. And he's still younger than me, which irritates me as well.
