a tremendous stretching tip......
Stretching is so important, it can't be stressed enough. Many people hate it and due to the discomfort, don't really put any effort into it. Most people wait to stretch when they get to the court not long before a match. Here is something that a friend of mine who was a professional bodybuilder helped me with while I was on tour. It makes so much sense to do and it really, really works........
Before practice and matches, I began taking hot showers. I began stretching while in those hot showers and it was like night and day versus the stretching I had been taught by the "tennis gurus". The blood began circulating and it really loosened me up much better than on-court stretching. It was like pulling teeth for me to stretch before, but once I took the time to get ready to play earlier and I started stretching in the shower, I saw some major improvements in performance. So, for you folks that don't like stretching, give it a try. Especially you tournament players. The hot water will get you warm quicker and it really eases some of the pain of stretching. Hope that helps a little.