London, June 19 (ANI): American trainer Mackie Shilstone has made a name for himself fine-tuning the performances of thousands of athletes, most notably boxers Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior and former baseball star Ozzie Smith. He has also worked on the fitness of the actor John Goodman. The latest on his list in Wimbledon title hopeful Serena Williams.
Williams has turned to Shilstone to fast track her return from a year long hiatus from the game, after being left incapacitated by a cut to her foot and then the discovery of a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, reports the Telegraph.
The 13-time grand slam winner will begin this year's Wimbledon championship, quite stunningly, as the favourite despite having played only two competitive matches since her win in the 2010 final over Vera Zvonareva.
She is the story of the tournament. If she can pull it off, it will be a comeback of almost unprecedented status across all sports.
She will owe thanks to Shilstone, who whipped her into condition with a 21-day training program in Florida before her arrival in London last week.
Shilstone put the 29-year-old through a rigorous series of daily exercises in an effort to re-establish rapidly the footwork and fitness that, along with her enormous power and shot-making ability, have made her the greatest champion of the women's game in this era.
"That would be enough to put any athlete over the deep end, but she is so mentally strong. I haven't run into a male athlete as mentally strong, maybe Bernard Hopkins is the closest," Shilstone said during his sessions with Williams this month.
He added: "It's her mental discipline and her fortitude that she pulls from that I just don't see out there. She would put football players to shame. Football players all think they are tough because they are in a collision sport, but I don't think they hold a candle to Serena Williams because they are too pampered. Serena Williams was never pampered." (ANI)
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