Heath Davidson is preparing to contest the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Masters for the first time in three years.
Melbourne, VIC, 26 October 2022 | Matt Trollope
An improved career approach, more belief in his game and a happy personal life – all are factors contributing to one of Heath Davidson’s most consistent seasons.
It will culminate with his first appearance at the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Masters since 2019, after Davidson won eight of his 12 singles matches since Roland Garros.
The world No.5’s most recent competitive appearance was at the US Open in September, where he pushed reigning Australian Open champion Sam Schroder to the brink in their quarterfinal clash.
He also fell to Schroder at Melbourne Park, and Schroder’s fellow Dutchman Niels Vink at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. But while those losses all came in straight sets, the US Open result represented more progress in this satisfying season.
“I feel like I put up a great performance. I had chances, proved to myself that those Dutch boys are beatable. Which is good moving forward, I don’t fear them anymore,” Davidson told tennis.com.au after the 3-6 7-6(3) 6-3 defeat.
“(I’m) definitely improving, and just hopefully can beat them once in the next few months.”
Finding his stride
Even if a win against either does not come at the Masters – which begin 30 October in Oss, Netherlands – Davidson is giving himself the best opportunity for success.
The 35-year-old Victorian feels he has “found his stride” in 2022, working hard with coaches Francois Vogelsberger and Marco Persi and refining a game style he enjoys playing.
Now more than ever, he prioritises consistent training, including off-court efforts like adequate rest and the right recovery.
“(I’m) looking after my body, because I’m getting old, and it’s just not recovering like it used to,” he smiled.
He is also working with a sports psychologist and has learned to reframe the way he approaches his competitive career.
“(I’m) just sort of trusting my tennis really, and doing what I do, and enjoying it. I love playing tennis, and I guess I’ve started to enjoy the experiences of being at the US Open, Wimbledon, stuff like that,” he revealed.
“It’s not that I wasn’t enjoying it (before); I just put so much pressure on myself because it was like a job. And as much as it still is a job, it’s a job that I love to do.
“There are not many other jobs that you get to…
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