flour power as japans date returns to tennis at 46
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

All that's missing is a cheesy Rocky-style backing track

Flour power as Japan's Date returns to tennis at 46

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Flour power as Japan's Date returns to tennis at 46

Kimiko Date may be 46 but the former world number four insists
Tokyo - Arab Today

As a grimacing Kimiko Date rips another forehand past a male hitting partner less than half her age, all that's missing is a cheesy Rocky-style backing track.

At the ripe of old age of 46, the former world number four and part-time baker insists she's not burnt-out yet as the Japanese star prepares for her latest comeback to professional tennis after a year of injury hell.

Date, who took a 12-year hiatus from the sport after quitting at the peak of her powers in 1996, has no plans to shuffle off into retirement just yet.

"Everyone just assumed I'd quietly retire when I got injured," the Kyoto native told AFP in an interview after a punishing three-hour workout.

"But I didn't want to just quit because I was out hurt. I used it as motivation," added Date, who has undergone two knee surgeries and opened a Tokyo bakery since last playing in the 2016 Australian Open qualifiers.

"Maybe you could call that gutsy. But I love a challenge -- and I viewed this as another challenge."

A wispy, wiry 5ft 4in (1.63 metres), Date's game is a throwback to a time when tennis was as much about lobs, dinks and clever use of spin as the wham-bam of today's master blasters.

And after an injury that almost dealt a knockout blow to her illustrious career, Date is once again looking to defy the odds.

"The nineties was my first career, then I came back and that was my second," said the eight-times WTA Tour singles champion, who returns to competitive tennis next month at a challenger event in Gifu, central Japan.

"This is like my third time around but I know it won't be easy after a blank year," she added, sweat dripping from her brow.

"But I'm not putting pressure on myself. I'm honestly not thinking about breaking records. I just want to fight my way back to playing tour level tennis again."

- TV Olympics -

Date, who at the 2009 Korea Open became the second-oldest player in the modern era to win a WTA singles title after Billie Jean King, refuses to say when she will call time on her career.

"I really haven't decided what age I want to continue playing until," said the former Wimbledon semi-finalist, eligible for a protected ranking of 193 on her return to tour.

"I'm sort of waiting for the moment when I feel content enough to walk away from the game," added Date, who last year divorced German racing driver Michael Krumm. "It hasn't arrived yet so I'll keep fighting."

Date's erstwhile idol Martina Navratilova retired a month short of her 50th birthday, but Date ruled out a fairytale appearance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"That's probably 100 percent a no," Date winced. "I'll be watching the Tokyo Olympics at home on TV."

Dwarfed by today's muscular power-hitters, she is brutally honest about the future.

"Every day I have aches and pains," said Date. "Some days are better than others but I have to be careful I don't push too much. I have to hold myself back a bit and keep in control of my emotions."

But Date, who delights customers by making regular appearances at her new bakery, still packs a mean punch and left her practice partner shaking his head as her shots fizzed past.

"The power and speed of tennis has evolved so much," she said.

"Players are physically much stronger but I still have one or two weapons of my own. I reckon I still have a little bit more left in me -- even at my age."

source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

flour power as japans date returns to tennis at 46 flour power as japans date returns to tennis at 46

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

flour power as japans date returns to tennis at 46 flour power as japans date returns to tennis at 46

 



GMT 20:28 2017 Tuesday ,07 November

Rahma create winter clothes in innovative way

GMT 21:53 2017 Monday ,04 September

Ajman Chamber, DED-Dubai ink MoU on Empay

GMT 20:24 2017 Monday ,24 April

Bahrain participates in Arab Media Forum

GMT 23:44 2017 Friday ,17 November

Senior Chinese envoy in N. Korea amid chill in ties

GMT 12:09 2012 Wednesday ,05 September

Emma Watson talks body image

GMT 03:32 2017 Thursday ,12 October

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes disasterhit Ecuador

GMT 06:57 2017 Friday ,13 October

Spain marks national day with show of unity

GMT 20:58 2017 Tuesday ,03 October

Injured Uchimura's reign ends at Gymnastics Worlds

GMT 08:45 2017 Saturday ,05 August

Mashael to end her new album for 2017

GMT 15:41 2017 Tuesday ,25 July

Coach withdrew his resignation after a call

GMT 08:53 2018 Saturday ,20 January

US to overtake Saudi as crude oil producer: IEA

GMT 00:53 2018 Saturday ,13 January

Chinese delegation calls on CM Shehbaz

GMT 08:07 2018 Friday ,12 January

Spain to oppose ex-Catalan leader being re-elected

GMT 01:00 2018 Friday ,12 January

Shop Bahrain Festival 2018 launched

GMT 10:00 2017 Thursday ,27 April

Lynch ends retirement for Raiders move

GMT 19:07 2017 Friday ,14 July

Thailand, Cambodia accept RI recommendation
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday