Serving Up Tennis Tips: The Washington Kastles

WHAT'S THAT RACQUET going on downtown? Why, it's the Washington Kastles, the newest members of the World TeamTennis league, storming the old Convention Center site. This month, our city's squad will play seven home games in the makeshift stadium, giving folks a chance to see the likes of Serena Williams (a Kastle!), Anna Kournikova and John McEnroe. Washingtonians will also be represented by Justin Gimelstob, who some called the most quotable guy on the ATP tour. Lately, he's made headlines for calling female Wimbledon players "sexpots" and verbally attacking Kournikova. Feel free to cheer or jeer at the home opener tonight and, in the meantime, find out how he's preparing for his summer showdowns.

» EXPRESS: Why do you say tennis is the most demanding sport?
» GIMELSTOB: Name another sport that challenges athletes this aerobically and mentally. When I was on the tour, I was exercising four to five hours a day.

» EXPRESS: What are your workouts like?
» GIMELSTOB: I have a bad back injury. So, I have to keep it healthy. I've been doing Pilates and yoga as cross -training to protect my back. I really enjoy Pilates, and I wish there had been that focus on core training earlier. I do machines and mat classes, so I can take it on the road.

» EXPRESS: What sort of moves do you do?
» GIMELSTOB: I have a routine I go through of stabilization exercises — stuff like lifting opposite arm and leg, and downward dog. That works the core. I do normal stretches for the shoulders, groin.

» EXPRESS: Any tips for recreational tennis players out there?
» GIMELSTOB: In this weather, make sure you hydrate. I'm a significant sweater, so I dilute Gatorade slightly and add salt to it. Be sure to warm up and cool down. Use that good old-fashioned ice afterward. And listen to your body, whether it's eating or training. The problem with when I played was I had to keep pushing and pushing. Parts of playing tennis are healthy, but we push it to a level that's not.

» EXPRESS: What is your diet like?
» GIMELSTOB: I was always a kid who ate my vegetables, and I never ate fast food. But as I've retired, I've seen my metabolism slow down, so I've had to recalibrate.

» EXPRESS: Is there a pre-game meal you always eat?
» GIMELSTOB: I'd say 95 percent of tennis players eat pasta with chicken and tomato sauce before they play. I think it's so terrible. I can't tell you the last time I just ordered pasta off a menu. But you need to make sure that energy is ready to go.

» EXPRESS: Why should people come to your games this summer?
» GIMELSTOB: It's intimate — there isn't a bad seat in the house — and we can be interactive with the fans. You can see Serena Williams at such close proximity. And John McEnroe, too, and this is probably his last year playing.

» EXPRESS: So, you're planning on beating him?
» GIMELSTOB: I wouldn't bet on it.

Photo courtesy Kevin Koski Photography