The aim of this case study was to investigate the effects of a shock
microcycle of repeated-sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) on physical
fitness and tennis performance. One rookie professional tennis player
performed repeated-sprint ability (RSA) and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery
level 2 (YYIR2) tests before and after (+3 days and +21 days) six
sessions of RSH (4 sets of 5x approximate to 6s repeated-shuttle sprint
interspersed by approximate to 24s of passive recovery) practiced during
a 14-day in-season period. Tennis performance was subjectively measured
from match results and Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) points
obtained during four professional tournaments played before and after
intervention. While no changes were found at +3 days post-RSH,
improvements in physical fitness (single sprint time (-4.5%), RSA total
time (-3.1%) and sprint decrement (-16.7%), as well as YYIR2 total
distance covered (+21.4%)) were observable at +21 days post-RSH. Tennis
performance obtained during the tournaments was better after
intervention. From pre to post-RSH, the decreases in opponents' ATP
ranking during matches won (1109 +/- 334 points vs. 818 +/- 212 points)
and lost (499 +/- 68 points vs. 256 +/- 58 points) revealed a stronger
opposition. Consequently, a three-fold increase (from 4 to 12 ATP points
gained from pre to post-RSH) in participant's ATP ranking was recorded.
In summary, a 14-day in-season shock microcycle including six sessions
of repeated-sprint training in hypoxia revealed interesting effects in
specific fitness and tennis performance in a rookie professional tennis
player.