Young tennis star Tudor Zecheru has already shared the court with some of the top stars in tennis
In the heart of the UAE, a young tennis star is rising, dedicated to the rigorous demands of both sport and study. He is regarded as the No. 1 tennis player at his age in his country right now and is striving for even more success.
His name? Tudor Zecheru. Remember it. You may hear it again one day.
Abu Dhabi resident Tudor, who has Romanian citizenship but who was born in the UAE to parents George and Corina, has had to battle his way through injuries to get back to the top. With the help of family, friends and his coaches, he is almost there.
With a schedule finely balanced between schoolwork and intensive training, this 15-year-old aspiring athlete embodies the determination and discipline necessary to excel in the competitive world of tennis.
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Every morning, his day begins with a focused hour of training. Evenings bring another session on the court or a combination of conditioning and on-court practice. Weekends are reserved for either competitions or lighter training to ensure recovery.
“A tip I have for managing time effectively is to create a plan with what has to be done during the day with timings, so that you make sure that you get it done,” says Tudor.
The facilities available in the UAE provide an ideal environment for development, boasting features such as state-if-the-art courts, outdoor pitches and grass hills for additional training. These resources are integral to the training regimen, enhancing physical conditioning and agility.
This young athlete has been fortunate to work with numerous coaches who have each contributed to the improvement of this game. However, it is under the guidance of the current coach, Erika, that the most significant progress has been made. Erika’s exceptional coaching skills have been pivotal in honing the player’s abilities, helping to elevate their performance to new heights.
To manage the demanding schedule, organisation is key. An effective strategy involves creating a detailed plan for the day, ensuring that all tasks are completed within designated time frames. This disciplined approach ensures that there is ample time for both academic responsibilities and extensive training sessions.
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So, who were his heroes growing up? The young tennis player draws immense inspiration from Rafael Nadal. Admiring Nadal’s determination, focus, and strategic play, the athlete aspires to emulate these qualities on the court.
“I look up to him because I admire his determination and focus on the court, as well as how he builds up points and uses his strong shots to his advantage,” adds Tudor.
Motivation is fueled by clear goals and a relentless drive to achieve them. Reflecting on training sessions and matches through reflection sheets and using imagery to visualise the game are techniques employed to maintain mental resilience and improve performance.
“I stay motivated because I always have my goals in mind and how I can achieve them. During tough matches or setbacks, I try to stay as mentally resilient as possible so that I can overcome the challenge.”
Short-term ambitions include participating in international tournaments such as ITF and UTR events, while long-term aspirations focus on competing on the ATP Tour and becoming the best player possible.
“My short-term goal is to play international tournaments such as ITF’s and UTR’s. My long-term goal is to play on the ATP Tour and become the best player I can possibly be.”
Central to this journey is a robust support team comprising key figures, as he outlines.
“The key figures in my support team are my dad, my coach (Erika), my fitness trainer (Charlotte), and my mental coach (Gareth). They have all helped me massively develop my game and fitness as much as possible, and I look forward to continuing working with them!”
Primarily training on hard courts, the athlete acknowledges the adaptability required when switching to clay courts. Adapting to different surfaces and climates is a challenge met with strategic preparation, ensuring hydration, and performing thorough warm-ups and cool-downs.
“When I do play on clay courts, it does take a couple of sessions to fully adapt to the surface, how the ball reacts, and how my movement has to modify to adjust to the courts.”
International tournaments present the unique challenge of acclimating to varying climates and court conditions, but this is a challenge embraced with enthusiasm.
“One of the main challenges of playing international tournaments is getting a feel for the climate and courts, as varying weather can affect the way the ball bounces and how the courts are. I enjoy playing tournaments in different locations as it is a fun challenge to adapt to the environment.”
With unwavering dedication and a supportive team, this young tennis star is poised to make a significant impact on the international stage, embodying the spirit and potential of a potential champion in the UAE and beyond.
An ACE for the future, perhaps.
Some Interesting Facts:
– Played his first U7 tennis tournament and reached the final at the age of three and a half
– Won his first tournament at the age of 5 while competing for U8
– In the summer of 2017 over 7 weeks, at the age of 8 he competed in 13 tournaments around Romania and won 11 of them
– He was the youngest player sponsored by Wilson at the age of 7 (sponsorship lasted for 1 year only)
– He met and play over the years some famous player Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Pat Cash, Stan Wawrinka, Bautista Agut, Casper Rudd, Denis Shapovalov, Carlos Alcatraz, Andrey Rublev.
– Tudor was no 1 ranked in UAE for the U14 and no 2 for U16 at the age of 12 and stayed in these positions until he had to undergo surgery.
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