Sania bites bullet, to join top fitness clinic in Florida

KOLKATA, SEPTEMBER 24: One of the major fears surrounding Sania Mirza’s career is the possibility of burnout. And she’ll soon be taking steps to redress just that: she’s signed up for fitness guru Pat Etcheberry’s sports performance clinic at the end of this year.

Etcheberry, who represented the US in javelin at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, is a renowned fitness expert at the Saddlebrook Resort in Florida whose clientele is virtually a who’s who of pro tennis and golf: Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Gabriela Sabatini, Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles and golfers David Duval, Ernie Els and Nick Faldo in golf. His most recent success has been Henin-Hardenne, whom he helped to two Grand Slams in 2003.

He has two “patients” at the Sunfeast Open: finalist Karolina Sprem and Maria Vento-Kabchi. Sprem, who lost six kilos in the middle of the year to a stomach virus, and subsequently lost form, has seen an amazing turnaround in fortunes here, her first tournament since joining Etcheberry’s clinic.

Sania, who has been plagued by ankle injury and other fitness problems, would benefit massively from her stint there. In short, her devastating strokes would be complemented by her on-court movement.

Apart from increasing her stamina and performance, Etcheberry — whose training regimen apparently reduces players to tears — is also expected to focus on developing power, flexibility and fluid movement.