In the Ice Pool

14 April, 2008 | 20:04

Back end of last week we caught up with Jamie down at Roehampton, as he hit on clay prior to his next tournament.

Hitting partner for the day was a doubles specialist of considerable repute: Kevin Ullyett

 

 

Timely hit for the two, seeing as they're playing Estoril together this week.

First proper chance to see Jamie busting out the Jonny Mac headband. It'll be a permanent fixture around Wimbledon time apparently...

  

 

The guys were hitting with Jamie Delgado and James Auckland, and whilst they're not regular partners, the tactical discussions were regular...

 

 

 As they were at the other end with Aucks and Delgy....

 

 

 They hit for a good couple of hours, then the attention switched back indoors, and the hydrotherapy pool.

Yep, this isn't James Auckland learning how to swim (I hope), it's him doing some specific recovery work on his shoulder.

 

 

 

The hydrotherapy pool is in the basement at the NTC, and allows the players to do a variety of work in a very low impact environment. That's water to you and me...

Here's James Auckland doing some running on the spot whilst Jamie stands in the ice pool to help speed ease the fatigue in his legs....

 

 

 

The ice pool looks pretty nasty....

You stand in it for a few minutes at a time before getting back into the relative warmth of the main pool.

It's supposed to speed recovery in athletes, but despite the smiles, it's not the most popular element of their training....

 

  

 

 And that was that really: all of them flew off to tournaments the next day...