Max Purcell, the newest member of the world’s top 100, shares advice in our ‘Training tips’ series.
Sydney, Australia, 17 March 2023 | tennis.com.au
Max Purcell has come a long way since first picking up a racquet at Tennis Cove in Sydney’s Eastern Valley Way.
Purcell and his twin brother, Harry, began tennis lessons aged three, following their older sister, Jordan, into the sport.
“As soon as we could hang onto a tennis racquet, Mum threw us into (lessons),” Purcell recalled.
His favourite early memories include exploring his local tennis club to find bugs and lizards.
“That was the main reason I wanted to go,” he laughed.
It did not take long for Purcell to fall in love with the sport – and he’s since scaled some impressive heights.
Purcell, who turns 25 next month, won the Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles title alongside fellow Aussie Matt Ebden last season and peaked at a career-high doubles ranking of world No.25.
He is also a two-time Australian Open doubles finalist and has represented Australia in Davis Cup and at the Olympic Games.
Purcell is now making singles his priority and has made an incredible start to the 2023 season.
He recently won three ATP Challenger singles titles, helping him climb from outside the world’s top 200 to a career-high world No.95.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give in singles,” Purcell explained of his decision to focus on singles this season.
Purcell shares an insight into his practice routines and important career lessons in our Training tips series …
Max, what is your ideal time to practice?
I think every tennis player likes an 11am start. You don’t have to wake up too early and you get to kind of cruise into the day. Realistically matches don’t start anywhere until 10am. So, any earlier than that is kind of a bit silly, because you’re getting used to the wrong times. For me, I like that middle of the day period as it gives me time after to recover.
Do you like to follow routine on the practice court?
Not really, I’m a pretty chilled guy. I’m not that physical with my warm-ups before matches, maybe as I get a bit older, I’ll need to do a little bit more. But I’m pretty cruisy.
Do you have a least favourite part of your game to practice?
I’m kind of easy all round. I’m not too bothered with what kind of training it is, I enjoy my job.
What about running? A lot of players say they don’t enjoy that aspect.
I actually did a bunch of…
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