Player to Player: Increase Your Endurance

From Mona, Great Falls, Va.:

I'm no expert on breathing techniques, but I do know you should never, ever be "holding your breath" in tennis or any other aerobic sport. The key is to breath as regularly as you can, but definitely try to time the exhale with your swing. I try and breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, as well. I think steadier breathing will help you. I'm probably not nearly as fit as you are and rarely have a problem with being winded while playing active singles unless I've been off a long time or sick.

From Coach Poppie, Palm Bay, Fla.:

Breath holding will do more to wear you out than running laps around the courts. The good thing is you figured it out on your own.

You say you are holding your breath during the serve. I would venture to say you are also repeating this most of the time when you attempt to strike the ball. Common, very common. The good news is that it is easy to cure. Use words, like "Yesssssss," "Hitssssssss," "Sendssssssss"? -- any word that has a smooth, long exhale. We teach players to focus on the ball by saying "Bounce" as the ball bounces and "Hit" as you contact the bounce. Adding the "sssss" at the end lengthens the exhale, which relaxes your muscles resulting in a smooth swing.

Breathe in as the ball approaches so you can exhale on contact. Learn to recover between points with diaphragmatic breaths. Take three deep breaths and expand your stomach at the same time. This will allow more air to fill deep into the lungs, resulting in a quicker recovery and lowering your heart rate.

Watch the pros. After a long point, they seem to take a little walk toward the back court. This is when they are doing their recovery routine.

You can also practice by counting balls at contact while rallying with a partner, but this will produce a shorter exhale.

Breathe, Tyler, breathe, and you will remember more of the fun of playing tennis.

From Brad, Columbia, Md.:

I had the same problem, plus I would get dizzy on the court. See a pulmonary specialist and ask for diagnostic tests for "exercise-induced asthma." Two puffs of an inhaler before tennis solved the problem for me. I am also now taking the supplement lycopene, an anti-inflammatory found in tomatoes.

From Laura, Newport Beach, Calif.:

Try taking a yoga/meditation class that concentrates on breathing. I went to the Art of Living, a non-profit organization, www.artofliving.org. My game improved drastically (after a plateau at 2 1/2 years). Not only does it increase your stamina, it can steady your nerves in matches like nothing else. Really did the trick for me. Good luck!

From Coach Kenny, Chicago:

One thing interesting about tennis fitness is the intensity for 30 seconds, then point over. It's so nice that tennis is the fastest-growing sport in America. It is finally getting the true respect it deserves. You hear grunting and breathing out a lot when you watch tennis. I do it, and lots do -- some too loud. It's good, though. It is a focusing method and also part of the stroke. Practice breathing out when you hit all shots. This is what the best coaches told me, and it helps. Mr. Federer was doing some sweet breathing as he took down Nadal! Focus, and breath in and out as you hit, and keep your eye on the ball. On changeovers and between points, meditate, focus, relax and get ready for the next part of the battle!