 Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 13 Aug 2005 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 13 Aug 2005 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 13 Aug 2005 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 13 Aug 2005 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 13 Aug 2005 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 13 Aug 2005 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 13 Aug 2005 |
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| 13 Aug 2005 - Prostejov, Czech Republic - James Harrisson | |
| Prostejov Educational Forum Review |
Players at the 15th World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov last night laid down their rackets and attended an educational forum.
This is the first time such an event has taken place during team competition finals, following the overwhelming success of a similar project in London during Junior Wimbledon. Speakers, all experts in their fields, gave presentations aimed at preparing the young players for the tough journey towards life as a tennis professional.
Luca Santilli, the manager of junior tennis at the ITF began by giving a talk entitled ‘What is the ITF?’. Backed up by dvd footage and slide shows of ITF events, Mr Santilli explained to the players about the role of the ITF in the sport and talked about how the ITF and players can work together.
Frank van Fraayenhoven, from the Dutch Tennis Association, then gave a very informative presentation, ‘What does it take to become a Top Player?’. He gave information on how to cope with strains of extensive international travel and advised players to push themselves, physically and mentally, only to a certain point, as injuries or burnout can have devastating effects on the career of a player.
Dr Petr Havlicek then gave players some dietary advice. He informed them of the ways in which the eating patterns of sportsmen and women should differ from those of the average person.
Mertille Rambion, a French journalist, then spoke to the players about how best to deal with the press. She advised them that they should always be themselves and cited Roger Federer as a good example of a player who takes time to address the public through the media, and who is, therefore, well like and respected both by journalists and the public. Ms Rambion then staged an interview with WTA player Lenka Nemeckova, who demonstrated expertly the best ways of answering questions, both personal and professional.
Everyone involved with the event agreed that the whole evening was a success, and was a good way of working together with coaches to educate players and prepare them for their future. A similar forum will take place during the finals of the Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas and Junior Fed Cup competitions in Barcelona, Spain, in September.
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> World Junior Tennis Finals Day 1
> Educational Forum Preview
> World Junior Tennis Finals Preview
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