Tennis Book for PDF - Gloucester Academy
Tennis Book for PDF - Gloucester Academy Tennis Book for PDF - Gloucester Academy
UNIT 9 Current Issues A. DRUG ABUSE IN TENNIS To date there has not been a positive drug test recorded against a tennis player in competition. This does not mean that tennis is free from drug abuse. As in any other sport there are bound to be abusers. Drug abuse in sport is defined as: ... the misuse of drugs to enhance performance ... Tennis complies with Rule 29 of the 1987 Olympic Charter, and in addition has imposed its own legislation in Rule 30. Both these rules unequivocally ban the use of drugs to improve sport performance. Reasons for drug abuse in Tennis Tennis is very big business, the successful player is capable of earning large amounts of money both from playing and marketing. Improved = Competitive = Financial = TEMPTATION Performance Success Gain How can drugs enhance performance in tennis? Unlike the weight lifter who looks for absolute strength and the sprinter who wants absolute power, any games player always needs to combine pure physical qualities with judgement, skill and emotional control. However, a tennis player could benefit from drug use in the following ways: • Drugs decrease recovery time meaning a player can train and play harder and longer with minimum time “lost” in having to rest. • Decrease reaction time, a critical factor in decision making in fast ball games. • Calm anxiety, relieve stress, relax tension. • Block pain and therefore allows the player to play through injury. All of the above factors would help a tennis player to maintain and improve performance. The table below gives some examples of drugs which might benefit a tennis player, plus some limitations their use might impose. Drug Type Stimulants Narcotics Anabolic Steroids Example Caffeine Amphetamine Codeine Stanazolol Testosterone Benefit Increased alertness Reduced fatigue Powerful pain killer Stimulates muscle growth Increases competitiveness. Deficit Increased heart rate Raised blood pressure Increased irritability Reduces the warning effect of pain and can lead to permanent injury if player continuously overrides pain signals. Liver damage. Over aggressive behaviour. Long term effects on sexual function. The question of drugs in sport is contentious, and is one which has received much media, medical and political coverage. A list of useful references are to be found at the end of this module. 28
B. TENNIS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Increasing numbers of people with physical and learning disabilities are participating in sport. This is as a result of a change in society’s attitude towards disabled people, and as a consequence the presentation of increased opportunities. The message is that sport is truly for all, and that those with disabilities do not just spectate – they participate. The British Tennis Foundation has taken a very positive approach in providing support for such participants including a competitive structure. This is based on three categories: * Players who are ambulant – e.g. deaf * Players using a wheelchair * Players with learning disabilities In addition to competition, coaching is available and LTA coaches have attended a Disabled Awareness Course for tennis coaches who wish to coach people with disabilities. There are also competitive schemes for each category. For example, The British Deaf Sport Council (BDSC) and Friends of the Young Deaf (FYD) both organise tournaments and events up to international level, and in 1991 the Dresse and Maere Cups (Davis and Federation Cups for Deaf) was held in England. Wheelchair tennis is booming and the British Open has taken place in Nottingham. Tennis is also now included in the Special Olympics. This is an aspect of the LTA Trust’s work which is expanding through recreational play, integration and to competitive international level. For further information please contact: The Disabilities Co-ordinator The British Tennis Foundation The Queen’s Club West Kensington London W14 9EG C. THE MEDIA AND TENNIS The Importance of the Media in Tennis If there was no sport, sportswriters and broadcasters would not exist. And were it not for public interest, professional sport would disappear. More people are involved in sport through the press and broadcasting than in any other way. It follows therefore that the media – press, T.V. and radio are vital to the well-being and promotion of any sport, and tennis is no exception. For two weeks every year in late June and early July media sport is dominated by the Wimbledon Championships. Live television and radio coverage of tennis abounds and the newspapers are filled with reports, results, pictures and stories of the world’s top tournament. Consequently, the U.K’s 34,000 tennis courts become fully utilised, potential new sponsors show an avid interest in the sport and all types of commercial enterprises associated with tennis report a boom in business. Yet less than a week after the event interest begins to fade and once again tennis has to compete with the other major sports, football, cricket, rugby and horse racing, for the nation’s attention. This attention is vital for four particular interest groups. (1) The Players – The players livelihood depends on public interest generated by the media. Without spectators or sponsors tournaments cannot run. (2) The Sponsor – The Sponsor supports an event largely because of the exposure the company receives through the media, with television being the most sought after and powerful medium. 29
- Page 1 and 2: Tennis THE ROYAL MARINES
- Page 3 and 4: Message from British Schools Tennis
- Page 5 and 6: Figure 1.1 X X X X X X X X X X X X
- Page 7 and 8: Forehand Drive (Semi-Western grip)
- Page 9 and 10: Exercise 10: Basic Service Action P
- Page 11 and 12: UNIT 2 Developing the Game Once pla
- Page 13 and 14: Figure 2.2a The Effect of Spin on g
- Page 15 and 16: Assessment of students is never eas
- Page 17 and 18: THE GAME Tennis can be played as an
- Page 19 and 20: Fitness Components For The Complete
- Page 21 and 22: UNIT 5 Mental Preparation Playing g
- Page 23 and 24: UNIT 6 Injuries in Tennis PREVENTIO
- Page 25 and 26: Figure 8.1 The Global Political Str
- Page 27: Figure 8.6 The Junior Tournament Py
- Page 31 and 32: SPONSORSHIP IN TENNIS Figure 9.2: S
- Page 33 and 34: Figure 10.1 shows the overall struc
- Page 35 and 36: TYPE OF SPIN Top Spin Slice Side Sp
- Page 37 and 38: Examples of Changes GROUNDSTROKES -
- Page 39: LTA Publications and Resource Mater
UNIT 9<br />
Current Issues<br />
A. DRUG ABUSE IN TENNIS<br />
To date there has not been a positive drug test recorded against a tennis<br />
player in competition. This does not mean that tennis is free from drug<br />
abuse. As in any other sport there are bound to be abusers.<br />
Drug abuse in sport is defined as:<br />
... the misuse of drugs to enhance per<strong>for</strong>mance ...<br />
<strong>Tennis</strong> complies with Rule 29 of the 1987 Olympic Charter, and in<br />
addition has imposed its own legislation in Rule 30. Both these rules<br />
unequivocally ban the use of drugs to improve sport per<strong>for</strong>mance.<br />
Reasons <strong>for</strong> drug abuse in <strong>Tennis</strong><br />
<strong>Tennis</strong> is very big business, the successful player is capable of earning<br />
large amounts of money both from playing and marketing.<br />
Improved = Competitive = Financial = TEMPTATION<br />
Per<strong>for</strong>mance Success Gain<br />
How can drugs enhance per<strong>for</strong>mance in tennis?<br />
Unlike the weight lifter who looks <strong>for</strong> absolute strength and the sprinter<br />
who wants absolute power, any games player always needs to combine<br />
pure physical qualities with judgement, skill and emotional control.<br />
However, a tennis player could benefit from drug use in the following<br />
ways:<br />
• Drugs decrease recovery time meaning a player can train and play<br />
harder and longer with minimum time “lost” in having to rest.<br />
• Decrease reaction time, a critical factor in decision making in fast ball<br />
games.<br />
• Calm anxiety, relieve stress, relax tension.<br />
• Block pain and there<strong>for</strong>e allows the player to play through injury.<br />
All of the above factors would help a tennis player to maintain and<br />
improve per<strong>for</strong>mance.<br />
The table below gives some examples of drugs which might benefit a<br />
tennis player, plus some limitations their use might impose.<br />
Drug Type<br />
Stimulants<br />
Narcotics<br />
Anabolic<br />
Steroids<br />
Example<br />
Caffeine<br />
Amphetamine<br />
Codeine<br />
Stanazolol<br />
Testosterone<br />
Benefit<br />
Increased<br />
alertness<br />
Reduced fatigue<br />
Powerful pain<br />
killer<br />
Stimulates<br />
muscle growth<br />
Increases<br />
competitiveness.<br />
Deficit<br />
Increased heart rate<br />
Raised blood pressure<br />
Increased irritability<br />
Reduces the warning<br />
effect of pain and can<br />
lead to permanent<br />
injury if player continuously<br />
overrides<br />
pain signals.<br />
Liver damage. Over<br />
aggressive behaviour.<br />
Long term effects on<br />
sexual function.<br />
The question of drugs in sport is contentious, and is one which has<br />
received much media, medical and political coverage. A list of useful<br />
references are to be found at the end of this module.<br />
28
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