Interview with “The Big Bozz”, Amer Delic and Core Training

Last week I got to spend a couple days with “The Big Bozz” at beautiful Amelia National Country Club in Amelia Island, FL.  A couple days of training, golf, and family time, helped the big guy recharge the batteries and get the body to a higher tennis fitness level.

7  Questions with The Big Bozz

Hello and thanks for spending some time to answer a few questions for me!  Last week we were able to have some fun playing some golf and training on the court and in the gym.  This week you find yourself in Dallas to defend.

1.  How is the body and mind feeling?

Mind and body are both feeling fresh. It helps to have a week off once in a while in between tournaments to recharge the batteries.

2. Having gotten off to a good start this season, does it take any pressure off of you to do well?

I would like to say it does take some pressure off, but with the way tennis rankings work and new players always coming up, it’s really hard to say that. It’s such a long year and there is plenty of tennis left to be played.

3.  You’ve reached 3rd round in a grand slam for the first time.  What are your goals for this season?

Primarily, my goal is to stay healthy and fit to compete. If I am healthy, I can train hard, which leads to better results, and so on… Again, if I am healthy, I can enjoy the whole process and all the results will be there.

4.  Last year you had some shoulder issues that stopped you from finishing the year strong. This year you have spent considerable time in the gym.  Do you feel that the strength training and core work that you do, helps in keeping your 6 ft 6 body in shape and help in injury prevention?

As previously mentioned, main goal is to be healthy. Last few months I have been more deliberate with my training; mostly focusing on injured areas such as shoulder and knee.

This type of training has helped me regain my elasticity and strenght in my shoulder while I have regained full range of motion in my knee.

5. You are a Jacksonville Jags fan. Would you like to see Tim Tebow play for them and what do you think about him staying one extra year in college?

Definitely a big fan of the Jaguars and David Garrard. He is still our quarterback and a very good one at that.  Nothing against Tim Teabow, but what we need is lot more pieces to fit this puzzle and not just one player.

6.  You are from Jacksonville which is the home of the new WTA event that use to be on Amelia Island.  Can you list 3 of your favorite restaurants that tennis fans might like to go, and maybe even use your name? You know, “Hey Amer sent me!”

That’s an easy one…

1. Larry’s Giant Subs

2. Al’s Pizza

3. Chizu (sushi)

Obvioustly , Ruth’s Chris, Roy’s, Bonefish, etc. are just few chains that are good anywhere. Howeve, these are local flavors some of the players might enjoy.

7. If you could win one tournament, which one would it be?

Wimbledon… Even though I am not the biggest fast of playing on grass, I am a fan of tradition.

I chose the Swiss Ball Med Ball Crunch to show one of the exercises that we did to strengthen his upper core region. As you can see it is quite simple but requires proper form in order to hit the upper core region effectively.

Key Points to Look at:

1.  Back is flat on the ball.

2.  Hug the med ball comfortably near your chin to provide resistance.

3.  Squeeze or Brace your Core on he way up and on the way down.

4.  Work your way up the med ball weights slowly and progress smartly

Hope you liked this weeks blog!

Pauly P