At age 31, Petra Rampre is playing some of the best tennis of her life. I had the chance to talk to Petra, a seasoned pro on the Ladies Tour, when she was in Kansas City for the Women’s Pro Tennis Classic.
How long have you been playing tennis?
Petra: I started playing tennis at 10 with my family and developed a love of the game. At 14, I moved to Germany by myself and then to the U.S. 13 years ago. I took every opportunity to play tennis and develop my game while spending 8 years in the Atlanta area and more recently in Florida.
What is your typical day like?
Petra: I have tennis practice twice a day at the Club Med Tennis Academy. I include weights as well as running and sprints for training. I follow Vipassana Meditation, where I focus on the connection between the mind and the body. It helps me both on and off the court. With any free time I have I like to go hiking (especially high altitude hikes), biking, basketball, swimming, and watching movies.
At tournaments my day is determined by when and how long my match is. I like to do fitness as well at tournaments. I hit balls for 2 to 3 hours then do 30 minutes of core and quick feet drills, and I jump rope. Then if I have a long match, I just cool down and do stretching. At 31 and playing consistently, I need to stretch often and get the occasional massage.
What is it like on the tour?
Petra: I like tournaments a lot. I am able to travel and have a chance to catch up with old friends (or rivals) and meet new ones. The hardest part is being alone. I don’t have a traveling coach with me. With no one for support and guidance it can be tough on and off the court. At some tournaments I am lucky enough to stay with a family; it is nice to live “a normal life” for a few days.
What is your proudest moment on tour?
Petra: Attending the Wimbledon awards ceremony in 1998. When I reached the junior doubles final, the Duke and Duchess of Kent were watching.
How have you kept going?
Petra: I am consistent with my practice and training routine. Tennis gives me freedom, the ability to travel to different places and it puts food on my table. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for tennis.
What would you say to our aspiring juniors?
Petra: Be patient and persevere. Work on fitness because that is a great base. On court be positive, play in the moment. If you hit a bad shot let it go and move on. Never be content what’s “good enough.”
Any retirement plans?
Petra: No, not yet. 2011 has been a very good year, probably one of the best in last 15 years. I have been able to almost halve my ranking from 380 to 206. Highlights have been 2 wins, and I’ve been a finalist and a semifinalist. This year I was lucky enough to play in the US Open qualifying matches. I won my first match but lost the second, I was happy considering the last time I was playing in the US Open was 11 years ago.
Our season is long with 20-25 tournaments. It keeps us busy. Next year I am planning on going to the Australian Open qualifying matches and playing in more WTA events.
Thank you, Petra!
