The last CTC’s colloquium featured José Higueras, who discussed how tennis has evolved over the past 30 years. The conversation covered four key areas — technology, conditioning, diet and strategy — and concluded with an interactive Q&A session on analytics, mental preparation and the challenges of coaching young players.
Higueras emphasised the significant impact of modern strings and rackets on the game, making it faster and more accessible, and noted a recent shift towards more diverse playing styles. He also emphasised the benefits of analytics in coaching and player development, as they make it easier for coaches to understand and improve player performance.
He described how conditioning programmes have evolved from generic to individualised approaches, with each player receiving a personalised programme. Players now spend more time in the gym and follow advanced nutrition and recovery protocols, enabling them to enjoy longer careers. He cited Novak Djokovic as an example of extreme attention to diet and body care.
He attributed the increase in injuries to two main reasons: a more physical style of play and a change in the ranking system from average-based to cumulative points, which pushes players to compete more often. Higueras emphasised the importance of mental preparation these days, citing Rafa Nadal as a unique example of mental strength in the history of the sport.
Modern tennis is more aggressive and physical, with an emphasis on the serve and first-ball dominance. However, José noted a revival of variety, with drop shots, slices and defensive tactics once again becoming part of the game.
José believes that players’ support teams are much larger these days, which is why many of their decisions are influenced by the people around them. He argues that tennis players should take breaks in order to improve, because improvement leads to more wins. Roger, Rafa and Novak kept improving, enabling them to continue playing well into their later years.
