Sometimes it’s nice to just go out and play and have fun.
That’s the attitude Alex Charles carries with him on the tennis court. Playing with good people and having fun are his first priorities whenever he laces up his sneakers and steps onto the court. For someone who just recently won his division of the inaugural Max Power Challenge, winning is relatively low on the list of why he plays (after getting exercise and playing well).
Max Power sat down with him recently to talk tennis and fitness.
So how long have you been playing tennis?
I started when I was 8, playing with my four older brothers. We would just go out with a can of balls to these red clay courts a mile from our house in Trinidad. A can would last us maybe 4-5 weeks. That’s how I learned – just from playing with my brothers. Once a week we would go to a clinic with maybe 40 other kids to learn the basic strokes. But mainly I learned from hitting with my brothers. We just went to have fun.
How often do you play now?
Four to five times a week. Mostly doubles at this time of year. Sometimes I go to clinics to get advice and pick up tips, but mostly I just play.
What are your weapons on the court?
At the 4.5 level, a lot of guys are good defensively but maybe the offense isn’t quite as good. Most guys can move well, cover the court, and return the ball. For me, it’s about finding that balance between being aggressive and not going for too much. Controlled aggression – maybe 75% power on my shots and going for depth. Sometimes I have a bad point or a bad game, but I shrug it off and try to stay focused and stick to my strategy. You know, not go for a winner all the time but still maintain the advantage in the point.
What’s your philosophy on competition?
I’m not actually a big fan of competitive sports. I just like going out and having fun. But I liked playing your tournament, which is surprising for me. If all tournaments were like that, I might play more but sometimes people get a little too competitive, if you know what I mean.
How do you stay fit to play at your level?
When I’m on my schedule, I try to do 6 units of cardio a week. A unit is either 20 miles on a bike, a mile in the pool, or 5 miles on the road, depending on the weather or how the body feels. I also hit the weights 5 times a week. Cardio in the morning and weights in the evening and I take 2 days off.
Do you have any advice for younger players?
Technique. Focus on your technique. That’s for everyone, not just young kids but older players as well. A lot of times people just knock balls around and learn bad habits, but I’ve seen people improve their potential when they learn proper technique.
And remember to have fun! Be a good sportsman. To me, tennis is a sport with class – if you look at the history it was for gentlemen and ladies. So good sportsmanship is always important.
