Lleytons
first Coach
Peter
Smith Interview
Peter
Smith Head Coach at the Next Generation Complex in
During a recent trip to south
Australia I was lucky enough to talk with Peter Smith the coach that was for the
most part, responsible for Lleyton Hewitt’s game.
Peter gave me not only a detailed analysis of Lleytons game but he also
gave some interesting insights into his tennis coaching style and beliefs.
I left my Dictaphone at home so all questions and answers are
paraphrased.
TTC. Do you look for specific body types when
scouting players?
PS.
No not really. It is
reasonable to assume height matters but Lleyton didn’t fit into that class, he
is far from 6’2. I realize players of a particular build are more likely to
stand up to the rigors of full time professional play but it’s not a
prerequisite as such.
TTC. This week we have had the chance to see
Australia’s best Juniors and there seem to be a lot of similarities.
PS.
Obviously players’ games only reflect what they have been taught (or
what they’ve copied). One way or
another there does seem to be a general lack of variety, most of the players
using the same rather one dimensional baseline game.
TTC. But
Lleyton plays predominantly from the base line doesn’t he?
PS.
Yes he does but he chooses to do that, its not like his net game is
lacking, after all he has won a US Open doubles title.
TTC. Was
it your goal to make Lleyton into a complete player?
PS.
Yes. In the same way that all players we work with are encouraged to
learn all facets of the game while at the same time developing their own
personal style.
TTC. There
are a lot of kids out there who have been sold the dream aren’t there?
PS.
Yes and the realities of that can cause a lot of dramas in a kids life.
What should be explained to them is that they have probably already “made
it” or “achieved it” at a very high standard and they should not place
unrealistic expectations on them selves or have these unrealistic expectations
placed on them by others, typically parents & or coaches.