Womens_HealthAustralia-February_2017

GAME ON

Best Body #iswis

3 6

1. What are the
   main ways tennis
   enhances your
   fitness?
   “Tennis requires
   using all parts of
   the body, so it’s
   a really good
   workout. It’s a
   skill-based sport,
   so the better you
   get, the longer your
   rallies will be –
   which means you’ll
   get more exercise.”


2. What would you
   say to a woman
   toying with the
   idea of starting
   tennis?
   “It’s such a fun
   social sport, and
   there are so many
   clubs to join where
   you can either go
   for the occasional
   hit, or get involved
   in competitions.
   I think the easiest
   way is to look for a
   coach in your area
   and take a few

private lessons first.

Getting some good

tips and constant

improvement will

keep you coming

back for more. Once

you get the hang

of it, it’ll become

addictive as you see

yourself hitting

shots you never

dreamt possible.”

3. What sorts of
   existing skills make
   someone naturally
   good at tennis?
   “Tennis requires
   a certain amount
   of coordination
   to be able to track
   the ball, move
   into position and
   then make
   contact. Having
   good hand-eye
   coordination helps
   a lot, as well as a
   good cardio base.”

WE CHAT TO...

DARIA GAVRILOVA

2 2, RANKED NUMBER TWO IN OZ

Ones to watch

Keep an eye on these key homegrown

players at the Australian Open

“Our highest ranked players, like Sam Stosur

and Daria Gavrilova, are expected to go deep

in the Australian Open, so it’s worth watching

them from the beginning,” says Pratt. “At the

same time, we also have a number of up-and-

coming players that will be in the qualifying

and main draw throughout the summer. It’s

an exciting return for Ash Barty who’s been

in the final of grand slam doubles, and we

have in-form players like Priscilla Hon (1),

Lizette Cabrera (2) and Destanee Aiava (3).”

Tennis glossary

Here’s the terminology that’ll help

you sound like a pro

ACE

A serve that

the receiving

player didn’t

hit. Winning.

ADVANTAGE

When a player

needs one

more point

to win the

game after

the score has

been deuce

(see definition

of deuce).

SET POINT

When the

player who’s

leading needs

just one more

point to win

their set.

VOLLEY

A shot hit, usually near

the net, by a player before

the ball bounces on their

own side of the court.

DEUCE

When the score in a game

is 40–40. A player must win

two consecutive points – one

straight after the other – from

a deuce to win the game.

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