High intensity and fast legs at the intensive tennis camp at the Ljubicic Tennis Academy on Lošinj - Day 2 of the Camp Diary

Day two of the  intensive camp at the Ljubicic Tennis Academy in Veli Lošinj. The training plan was the same as the first day. So after a hearty breakfast at 8 a.m. we went to the gym of the Ljubicic Tennis Academy in the Punta Vitality Hotel for a one-hour warm-up with fitness coach Oskar Amančić. All the kids were fully motivated at the start and it stayed that way throughout the day. The second day of training ended at 5:30 p.m. And despite the initial tiredness, Tom is on fire! exactly what happened and what I learned in a detailed conversation with head coach Luka Cvjetković , Jannik Sinner's long-time tour coach, in my second camp diary entry. Have lots of fun with it!

High intensity and focus on and off the pitch

Yesterday before dinner we were informed of the training plan via the WhatsApp training groups. Same training times, that means getting up early. But first we enjoyed the delicious dinner in the hotel and completed our obligatory Uno session. This morning we woke up to overcast skies. But there was no wind at all on the first day.

After the first gym session, coach Mario and training partner Aston from Australia went onto the pitch. Rhythm exercises, long balls at targets, high hitting intensity and full concentration. That was the first hour of the program. Then play serves and points. It is striking that serving and playing for points are on the agenda in every session.  

During the lunch break we drove to Mali Lošinj to refill our drinks supplies and have a snack. Afterwards there was a bit of a break before the 30-minute warm-up continued at 2.30 p.m. on the Track & Field track directly on the tennis court. Coordination ladders and coordination exercises with the ball prepared the kids perfectly for the second tennis session. This time Darko was the coach who challenged Tom and training partner Melos. High intensity and fast legs - this is what is required again and again. After the basic strokes and volleys had been played, it was time to play points. Each point was fought for 1.5 sets - always under the eyes and advice of Darko. And of course one or two cool sayings couldn't be missing. Yes, it is very targeted and demanding, but always with a smile and a good word!

Finally, there's another hour in the gym for a strength-endurance circuit : rowing machine, spinning bike, weights, resistant bands and "cart pushing" got everyone sweating profusely again. End of work at 5:30 p.m. - tired but very satisfied!

Tom's highlights of the day

• ON COURT: 1.5 sets with Melos in the afternoon with oncourt coaching from Darko - valuable tips!!
• IN GYM : the rowing machine in the strength endurance circuit

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In conversation with head coach Luka Cvjetković

After training I had the opportunity to have a long chat with the academy's head coach Luka Cvjetković . Luka worked for the Piatti Tennis Academy for many years and was on tour with Jannik Sinner for several years. When his friend Ivan Ljubicic asked Luka if he wanted to become head coach of the new Ljubicic Tennis Academy, he didn't hesitate for a moment and took the job in Lošinj. Here he works on the goal of leading one or more young talents from all over the world to the top. It is very clear to him that this is only possible with hard work. He demonstrates this to his protégés every day in training sessions. It's nice to see that there is a familiar and very open relationship between the coaches, but especially between Luka and the players.

Straight away, these are Luka's statements regarding the path to becoming a professional tennis player. He is particularly critical of the relationship with many "tennis parents", who are often difficult and have completely wrong expectations of their own child and also of an academy. However, he has complete support from Ivan Ljubicic that only children whose attitude and values ​​​​match train at the academy. And that also applies to those of the parents.

A young person aged 15-16 should play 60 tournament matches per year in order to understand the “game of tennis”. Tournaments should be chosen in which the player can reach 2-3 rounds. Consistent victories show (with the exception of extreme talent) that the wrong tournaments are being played. In the Academy, there is usually no tournament support. This is primarily taken on by the parents. Every now and then a group of people of the same age flies to tournament locations where tournaments are played two to three weeks in a row.

Luka leads me across the facility to the four hard court courts covered with “bubbles”. These can be completely opened on the sides, so that you can train here even in summer if you want to train on the surface. Everything at its best!

The head coach Luka left a very confident and very good impression on me. The focus here is on the kids and their personal development. He may seem a bit too “straight” to some people, but I think he has good views and good values. And he doesn't mince his words when it comes to formulating what is necessary to become successful as a professional. And with his decades of experience with top players, he knows that only too well!

Well, do you feel like it?

If you would like to take a look at the Academy's various camp offerings in advance, you can find out more about them in our camp listing. Because here at the Academy, tennis courses are offered for all age groups and levels:

to the tennis courses at the Ljubicic Tennis Academy