Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

'I don't remember when I was last in the UK for weeks outside Wimbledon'

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Thursday, 23 April 2020 01:46

Backyard fitness sessions, hit-ups on a basketball court and Fortnite battles.

Welcome to the lockdown training schedule of tennis player Jay Clarke, as mapped out by his live-in coach.

But that, of course, only happens once the British number five has done the washing up.

The 21-year-old is isolating at home with his family in Derby, including older brother and coach, Curtis.

At a time when most athletes and coaches around the world are barred from interacting in person because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the brothers have a welcome advantage.

In fact, Clarke finds himself with a few coaches on hand to offer words of encouragement.

"For me it's totally different because I'm here with my brother and I've always had a member of the family coach me, my sister and before that my dad," he told BBC East Midlands Today.

"I know they always want to give me the best advice they can."

So how does a professional tennis player - someone who faced Roger Federer in the second round of Wimbledon just nine months ago - progress his career from his family home in the East Midlands?

Well, it starts with chores.

"We don't have a set time to start training each day because I still have to help out around the house - I'm pulling my weight," he said.

"They keep me grounded through washing pots."

Housework slots easily in around sessions on the exercise bike, basic fitness and bodyweight workouts under a marquee at the back of the house and even time 'on court' with racquet in hand.

However, that court is a multi-sport asphalt cage where Clarke has to rely on "muscle memory" and imagination to get the ball over the non-existent net.

There the entire time is older brother Curtis, just as he would be almost every week on tour.

The only difference is that they are also sharing days with with mum and dad, rather than with tennis' elite on grass, clay and hard courts in far-flung places.

"We have spent practically every day together since Jay was born," said Curtis.

"We go play tennis at the park, come back and play Fortnite together. We enjoy each other's company much more than people realise."

In the days before being forced into lockdown, Clarke was on court with double Wimbledon and Olympic champion Andy Murray at the National Tennis Centre in London.

A training block with the three-time Grand Slam-winner and former world number one came just as Clarke was completing his return from a two-month injury lay-off and just days before tennis and almost all sports had their schedules suspended.

"It's always special training with Andy," said Clarke. "He is such a nice guy and gives me so much advice when I step on court with him. Obviously there is no better person to be aware of your level against than a guy who was number one in the world, who has won slams and Olympic gold."

While tennis is on hold and Wimbledon in 2020 has been lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Clarke says he is "trying to enjoy" the rare extended stay at home.

"Being a Brit, it is the only time that all my family can come and watch so it is a big hit for us, but I think it is the best for everyone that it doesn't go ahead," he said.

"I don't remember the time that I was in the UK, besides Wimbledon, for four or five weeks straight.

"It's given me time to spend with my family and my dogs, which I hardly ever see because I travel so much."

Read 1478 times

Soccer

De Zerbi to leave Brighton at the end of the season

De Zerbi to leave Brighton at the end of the season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBrighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club after thei...

Mbappé not in PSG squad for last Ligue 1 match

Mbappé not in PSG squad for last Ligue 1 match

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKylian Mbappé has been left out of the Paris Saint-Germain squad th...

Messi returns as Miami strikes late to beat D.C.

Messi returns as Miami strikes late to beat D.C.

Lionel Messi returned to the starting lineup as Inter Miami struck late to beat D.C. United 1-0 than...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Murray 'feels great', 'hungry' for big Game 7

Murray 'feels great', 'hungry' for big Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray is "feeling great" and we...

Sources: Anunoby, Hart pushing to make Game 7

Sources: Anunoby, Hart pushing to make Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNew York Knicks forward OG Anunoby, out since Game 2 of the Eastern...

Baseball

Mets' Diaz open to change in role amid struggles

Mets' Diaz open to change in role amid struggles

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Edwin Diaz is open to a change to help ignite the slumping...

Gil sets Yanks' rookie record; Soto mashes 2 HRs

Gil sets Yanks' rookie record; Soto mashes 2 HRs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The Yankees waxed the White Sox 6-1 on Saturday to earn...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated