Some professionals on the tennis tour seem to know no age limit. Venus Williams tries again at the age of 43 at the US Open in New York, Stan Wawrinka at 38. But how can that even be achieved in this challenging sport?
On her own she wouldn’t even qualify for that US Open allowed to play. As the current number 407 in the WTA world rankings, Venus Williams is on a so-called wildcard instructed, which the organizers can award to particularly deserving players or great talents as a simple ticket to the main draw.
The now 43-year-old, who won the US Open in 2000 and 2001, is in new York So there – it’s her 24th participation in the main draw.
But: Is that possibly more tennis romance of the organizers, who with the big names maybe also one or the other spectator more on the grounds in Flushing Meadows want to lure? Or does Williams still have a realistic chance of winning one of the most important and biggest tournaments of the year, despite her advanced age?
Especially since the outside conditions are anything but ideal at this time of year due to the heat and high humidity big apple are.
Professional work
Williams was last seen with her success against top 20 player Veronika Kudermetova masters in cincinnati sit up and take notice and show what she’s still capable of.
“Despite their advanced age, a lot is still possible. Many players quit because they are mentally tired from traveling and the short breaks. Very few, such as Roger Federer, quit because of physical problems.”says Ralph Grambow, sports scientist and tennis lecturer at the German Sports University in Cologne.
And many tennis pros can’t seem to get enough of the big dose of adrenaline they get on the big courts feel the world. Such as Stan Wawrinka (38 years old), Gael Monfils (36) or Andy Murray (36), all of whom are once again with the US Open will be there and have qualified directly for the 1st round. Not to mention Novak Djokovic (36), currently the second best player in the world rankings and top favorite to win the tournament.
“These players manage to buy themselves time through incredibly professional work, great discipline and good nutrition. And they all have an incredible desire to play tournaments.”says Grambow.
Rally usually ended after four shots
The demands that the professionals have on themselves are also high. “If I have one goal left, it’s to win one more title before I retire”says Stan “the Man” Wawrinka before the start and his 16th participation in new York. However, it is unlikely that he will win the title again after 2016. It’s all about being able to keep up with the “youngsters” and annoying them as much as possible.
Eliminated in the first round at the Australian Open: Stan Wawrinka.
“Tennis is very strenuous and physically demanding, but 70 percent of rallies are over after four strokes.”, says Grambow. That’s why the psychological component plays a major role in the frequent breaks between rallies. In this question, experience and thus age have an extremely positive effect.
adaptation and routine
“The older players have seen everything. They know how they want to score points and are no longer nervous. And they have changed and developed the way they play.”says tennis lecturer Grambow, who points to the flexibility and willingness to change of the players. “Andy Murray, for example, no longer plays as strenuously as he used to in his early years. Other players such as Wawrinka or Monfils try to make rallies shorter in strenuous situations and use a winners to hit.”
The physical deficits that older top athletes suffer from over the course of their lives, also due to the large, permanent physical strain, can therefore often be compensated for by their mental strength and their tactical experience. It’s about doing the right thing in the decisive moments.
Grambow is skeptical as to whether Venus Williams or Wawrinka can actually pull off the big coup and one or both can win the tournament. Nevertheless: You can still tickle and annoy your opponents. And that should matter to them too.