WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 13, 2004 -- The USTA today announced that Mike Nishihara has been named Strength and Conditioning Coach for the USA Tennis High Performance program. Nishihara is based at the USA Tennis High Performance Training Center in Key Biscayne, Fla.
Nishihara is responsible for planning and implementing physical testing and training programs for players and to educate players and coaches on issues of strength training, conditioning, injury prevention and treatment. The USA Tennis High Performance program is charged with facilitating the development of world-class American tennis champions.
Nishihara brings more than 15 years of experience in fitness testing, sport science and strength and conditioning training. Most recently he was Director of Fitness and Sports Conditioning at the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla., where he oversaw operations, programs and services provided by the fitness center. He has worked with many professional tennis players over the years, including Pete Sampras, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Chanda Rubin, James Blake, Mardy Fish, Jelena Dokic and Elena Dementieva.
“Mike brings a wealth of knowledge in strength and conditioning and the sports sciences that will benefit our players and coaches training in Key Biscayne and throughout the country,” said Paul Lubbers, Director, Coaching Education, USA Tennis High Performance. “He has a proven track record with world-class athletes in tennis and other disciplines.”
Before working at Saddlebrook, Nishihara was Director of the Center for Athletic Development at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport in Indianapolis, where he developed athletic programs and directed Athletic Development Camps. He also has worked with NFL and NBA players, and worked with the Indiana Pacers strength and conditioning department.
Nishihara, 42, graduated from the University of Illinois in 1987 with a Master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics. He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
The United States Tennis Association is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States and is a not-for-profit organization with more than 675,000 members. It owns and operates the US Open and selects the teams that compete in Davis Cup, Fed Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It invests 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from the grass roots to the professional levels. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.