As I embark on this year-long tennis journey, I am beginning to feel a wave of emotions. While this has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little kid, I can’t help but feel apprehensive and anxious, but also extremely excited. I have an unequivocal sense that this is the right next step for me- there is no better time for me to purse my deepest passion than now. 

My first leg of the journey will take place in Florida for five weeks, where I will begin pre-season training in Miami and Jacksonville.   While boring to some, my day will consist of yoga, exercising at the gym, tennis, eating and sleeping- a true Groundhog Day schedule. I cannot wait to immerse myself fully in the pre-season grind. Due to a hip injury after the Maccabiah games, I was unable to play tennis or exercise. In order to stay in shape and be ready to compete at the next level, I started an intense modified paleo diet with the help of my sports nutritionist. Since I started the diet, I have lost close to 20 pounds, and am feeling better than ever. Even though I was unable to step on court for six weeks, I wanted to be “all-in” with everything else in my control.

Tennis is a heavily mental game, so I took this time to focus on meditation methods to help improve on the mental aspect of the sport.  Finally, with the help of a vision clinic, I have been working on my eyesight.  They have given me a series of exercises on better seeing / processing objects as they transition from far away to closer. I can already see the difference in how I track a tennis ball coming at me at 100+ MPH.

I am at last back on the court, and just arrived in Florida. I am really excited to share with all of you this next step in my life. I hope you follow along with me!