Words by Eloise Mayer
We sat down with tennis player Paul Jubb to talk about his training, big wins, and obstacles, all whilst avoiding Zoom glitches like rogue balls on the court.
When did you know that tennis was for you?
I think like when I was probably 14, that’s when I made the conscious decision to be like, “This is what I’m doing, this is what I want to do for my career and for my life”.
Was there anything that specifically prompted that?
Yeah at that stage I was watching other people and was inspired I guess by other players and stories and it was kind of to the point where I was like “I believe I can do this”.
What are the qualities that make someone a good tennis player?
Strong-willed, and I guess smart in the way you have to be able to manage different situations, and navigate your way through the match when you’re out on the court. I also guess recognising different situations and what you need to apply in those situations.
Adapting to how others are playing?
Yeah, and also belief. I guess also all the natural things for sport – a certain level of athleticism, confidence, and belief. For individual sports I think confidence and belief are a big part of it.
What would you say the highlight of your tennis career has been, so far?
Probably winning my first challenger tournament I’d say.
And what were your emotions going into that and coming out the other side of it?
Going into it I actually was – [GLITCH] – I was in a situation where I wasn’t that confident so wasn’t expecting the outcome I had. As the weeks went on my confidence and belief grew and that’s what happens sometimes you know it’s – [GLITCH] – and yeah, I felt a lot of happiness and maybe a bit of relief from when you do something good, you know? When hard work pays off it’s nice to physically see a result, but yeah it was definitely a good feeling.
What’s the most recent obstacle you had to overcome?
[Laughs]. I guess this year has been one big obstacle for me really. I had a big ankle injury at the beginning of the year and have only just recently come back from that. Then, in my first couple tournaments back, I had another little injury which, you know, I’m trying to recover from now. So, I think this whole year has kind of been one big obstacle with injuries and a couple other things as well off the court. Another one is working on my mental side of things in terms of patience, trusting the process, and having to work day by day, work in the present, trying not to look too far forward. Sitting on the sidelines is never easy as a competitor and anyone who’s striving for some kind of goal. Working towards something, when you have to kind of feel like you’re in a stagnant position: it’s never easy, especially for a long period of time.
What does the average day look like for you?
Wake up at 7am, get ready, breakfast and then in the building by 8:30am or 9am, and probably around 6pm depending on the day – couple tennis sessions, gym, or one long session and gym in the afternoon, and also rehab or treatment. How the whole week is scheduled is normally around a 8:30/9am to 6pm day.
And is that the same with tennis training going into the winter period?
I guess any training week is still that sort of time frame, unless it’s like today which is a half day. But when you’re playing in tournaments you have to adapt – you’re not having such long days if you’re in a tournament or about to go into a tournament. You have to not burn yourself out and just stay fresh and sharp. But in training weeks like this days tend to be longer”
What are you looking forward to? In the next couple years let’s say.
“Winning my first match at Wimbledon and getting into the top 100 are probably the two things I’m pushing for. They’re the kind of thing that excites me, or winning my first Grand Slam match, but Wimbledon is obviously, being a British player, a personal goal.”
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