Piperno's 'recipe' to make it to the top

Vijayawada, June 6 (UNI) Former Davis Cupper and coach Enrico Piperno says said only players with optimum fitness can make it to the top.

Piperno, who arrived here last evening to interact with young talents at Vijaya Madhavi Tennis Academy and assess the infrastructure facilities here.

Sharing his views with newspersons on tennis, he said the sport was getting more popular. A player has to have a strong upper body.

More and more middle class families were evincing interest in their children taking up tennis.

Piperno, who was also coach of India's Davis Cup team from 1991 to 2000 said Sania Mirza's achievement over the last one year was laudable. She has climbed up the ATP rankings. But now she has to maintain her fitness level and train to cover the court quicker.

The main reason why our players are unable to reach the top in international tennis is due to lack of physical strength and stamina.

Piperno pointed out that players from Europe, United States and Australia are ''big built'' and agile.

He tipped Spaniard Rafael Nadal to win the French Open, though theslightly faster centre court in Paris might also give Roger Federer an even chance.

He said 15 years of coaching had taught him many valuable lessons. He was confident of producing top class tennis players in the near future.

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