DAVID SAMMEL
Battling boredom and rediscovering con idence are just two o the tasks players have to con ront during lengthy spells out o the game
Recovering from long-term injury is both amental and a physical challenge F or world-class players like Rafael Nadal, JuanMartin del Potro and Andy Murray, their body is their most important asset. Health and physical robustness are paramount. They knowhow to play tennis: it is their ability to reach balls and sustain their athletic ability over several hours that determine whether or not they can compete at the highest levels. in 2014, Samwas strugglingwith awrist problem. Shewent toMinnesota to see the same surgeonwho operated onDel Potro. Unlike the 2009 US Open champion she did not need further surgery, but almost a year out of the game led to other issues.
As a coach in these circumstances you have tomove on for the sake of your own career, while remaining supportive of the player’s efforts to return to fitness. Even if the player is in a financial position to continue to pay the coach, it is unrealistic to expect the coach to sit on the sidelines for years on end. Most coaches will stay through one injury that keeps a player out for several months andwill helpwith the transition back. However, if injuries keep occurring it becomes unsustainable, because the coach is not involvedwith the day-to-daymedical rehabilitation. Themental support can be given fromanywhere in the world. When Samreturned to full-time play in 2019, I had already been coaching LiamBroady and Marcus Daniell formore than five years. Sheworked with IanMacDonald and I became a person she could bounce ideas off rather than her coach.
This is why they spend somuch time looking after their bodies and preparing physically for the tour. As players get older, they can spendmore timewith physios and on injury prevention than on hitting tennis balls. They structure their day tomake sure that they are able to hit tennis balls in theway that theywant.Their training is aimed at protecting the body rather than trying to get quicker or stronger. Sadly, some careers are blighted by injury. I have had personal experience of this in coaching Britain’s SamanthaMurray. In 2012 and 2013 Sam’s career was beginning to take off. Indeed, shewas neck-and-neck with Jo Konta in terms of her development. However, by the time she playedMaria Sharapova atWimbledon
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