Miami training block

13 December, 2009 | 04:12

No sooner has one season ended and there's another one starting: the '09/'10 training block is now underway in Miami.

It seems only yesterday that Andy was playing at the 02, but now he's back training hard in preparation for next year.

Like last year, this training block is in the warm sunshine of Miami, a city loved by everyone on the team. And just as well, because its tennis courts and gyms will be their home for the next few weeks as the necessary hard work gets done.

Andy's managed to squeeze in some much needed rest since the 02. Most of the players would like more no doubt, but they do what they can before getting back to it.

In Andy's case, he tried his hand at wakeboarding, took in a Miami Heat game, and chilled out.

He went into the training block looking to build on the solid physical base left from last year. Luckily for him, he's in better shape than some of the other guys. Fitness trainer Jez Green has needed some harsh interventions from physio Andy Ireland already....

Rotator cuff issues apparently. Claims his weight lifting days are over.

After a double session on Friday (upper body weights followed by Bikram yoga), they hit the track on Saturday morning. The first track session of the training block is always interesting as they try and feel their way in after a few weeks of doing very little.

The University of Miami track has a football pitch smack in the middle of it, which made for some impromptu goal celebrations in their warm-up.

Shame you can't suspend reality much longer because when the heart rate monitor comes out, you know a whole world of hurt is around the corner.

It was a new, pyramid session today. Multiples of 200, 400, and 800 metres several times over. Factor in the heat and humidity and you understand why it was all they could do not to vomit at the end of it.

 They needed a lot of air con and sushi after the morning...

Rested after lunch they hit Crandon Park to brush the dust of their tennis. It's been a while since Andy picked up a racquet, and given he's playing Andy Roddick at his charity event in Boca Raton it made sense to hit a few balls.

Crandon Park is Orange Bowl territory this time of year, and Andy's already been here to watch some of the British juniors. in fact, he hit on the same court that Jack Carpenter had won on a few days earlier.

A jet lagged Alex Corretja, straight from the airport, kept an eye on things....

They head to Boca on Sunday morning for A-Rod's Exo....