Is it bad to run more long distance (miles), than running short sprints, when training for tennis?
A. There are several things to consider when running to train for tennis. First, to train in the most effectively for tennis you first need to think about the physical and physiological demands of a match. This should guide your training. As you are likely aware, a typical tennis match requires numerous short bursts of energy and speed. The body taps into the anaerobic (without oxygen) energy system to supply the energy needed for this type of short duration, high-intensity movement. At the same time, a player must exhibit endurance and be able to make these short bursts over and over again. This requires a well-developed aerobic (with oxygen) energy system to replenish the energy that is used during each point. The second point to consider is the load placed on the legs. Because players’ legs take a pounding on the court it is often appropriate to cross train and have the players ride a bike or swim to develop their aerobic base. As a result, we recommend some endurance training (aero
