How Tennis Players Should Train Over the Christmas Break

Christmas rolls around. The gym shuts. You’re at the beach. The schedule’s loose.
And suddenly, training feels optional.

But here’s the truth every serious tennis player knows: what you do over the holidays often sets up your entire season.

The good news? You don’t need a gym, heavy weights, or perfect conditions to keep improving. Some of the smartest training happens away from facilities - if you know what to focus on.

What Should Christmas Training Actually Look Like?

This isn’t the time for max lifts or brutal volume. The Christmas break is ideal for:

• Resetting your body

• Building athletic foundations

• Fixing weaknesses

• Staying consistent without burnout

Think movement quality, mobility, coordination, and light strength. Many elite players and coaches actually lean into this approach. You’ll often see pros like Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, and Iga Świątek sharing simple movement sessions, beach runs, resistance band work, and coordination drills during the off-season. Coaches like Patrick Mouratoglou, Brad Gilbert, and Ben Shelton’s team regularly post minimalist, tennis-specific routines that prioritise feel over force.

Train Anywhere: Beach, Backyard, Balcony

1️⃣ Beach Training = Natural Performance Boost

Sand is an underrated training surface. It’s softer on the joints and forces stabilising muscles to work harder.

Great beach options:

• Short acceleration sprints

• Lateral shuffles

• Bounding and skipping

• Core circuits

Even 20–30 minutes goes a long way.

2️⃣ Bodyweight Strength Still Builds Power

Push-ups, split squats, lunges, planks, and single-leg work don’t lose their value just because it’s December.

Focus on:

• Slow tempo

• Balance

• Control

• Range of motion

That’s how you come back sharper.

XPAND Tools That Travel With You 🎾

This is where portable equipment shines. XPAND products are built for exactly this scenario - training wherever you go.

🔹 XPAND Gravity Belt 

Perfect for adding resistance to:

• Dry wings

• Squats/Lunges

• Beach sprints

• Footwork patterns

It keeps your lower body engaged without heavy loading.

🔹 XPAND Reaction Ball

Ideal for:

• Reaction speed

• Hand-eye coordination

• Split step timing

Throw it against a wall, bounce it on the footpath, or use it with a partner - simple, fun, effective.

🔹 XPAND Mini Med Ball

Great for:

• Rotational strength

• Dry swing training

• Core activation

Use it for shadow swings, throws, or controlled movement patterns when courts aren’t available.

🔹 XPAND Stretch & Roll Bundle

The holidays often mean:

• Long car rides

• Different beds

• Inconsistent routines

Daily rolling and stretching keeps you loose, mobile, and ready to train again quickly.

Shop XPAND here 🎾 -> Get on top of your Christmas Training with XPAND

Don’t Copy Pro Volume - Copy Pro Intent

One mistake players make over the break is trying to “cram” training.
The pros don’t do that. They train with intent, keeping sessions short and sharp. They prioritise recovery, and stay consistent!

A focused 30-minute session beats a random 90-minute grind every time.

Christmas training isn’t about peaking. It’s about not losing momentum — physically or mentally.

If you move well, stay active, and keep your nervous system sharp, you’ll return to full training feeling ahead, not behind.

And when everyone else says, “I haven’t trained in weeks,” you’ll quietly know you’ve done the work.