--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A big upper body is not a great thing for…" description: "\"A big upper body is not a great thing for tennis, and for me, flexibility is important.\" — John Isner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/john-isner-4856_big_a-big-upper-body-is-not-a-great-thing-fo_1992356.jpg" --- # A big upper body is not a great thing for tennis, and for… ![“A big upper body is not a great thing for tennis, and for me, flexibility is important.” quote by John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/john-isner-4856_big_a-big-upper-body-is-not-a-great-thing-fo_1992356.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/john-isner-4856_big_a-big-upper-body-is-not-a-great-thing-fo_1992356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/john-isner-4856_big_a-big-upper-body-is-not-a-great-thing-fo_1992356.jpg) > “A big upper body is not a great thing for tennis, and for me, flexibility is important.” [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical attributes alone don’t guarantee success; mobility and flexibility are crucial for performance in tennis. **In simple terms:** Being flexible matters more than size in tennis. Key Takeaway Prioritize flexibility training. Themes tennis fitness performance Mood determined pragmatic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - training drills - rehab routines - pre‑match warm‑ups - coaching advice Key Concepts Biomechanics agility injury prevention Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate flexibility work into a busy training schedule? - What specific flexibility exercises benefit tennis players? A Different Perspective Flexibility alone cannot compensate for lack of technique or endurance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Flexibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flexibility/) [Flexibility Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flexibility-important-3411993/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) [Tennis Flexibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis-flexibility-3461331/) [Thing Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-tennis-1097394/) [Upper Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upper-body-270794/) ## Related quotes > [“Cognitive flexibility is an important executive function that reflects our ability to shift thinking and to produce a steady flow of creative thoughts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-ratey/cognitive-flexibility-is-an-important-executive-function-that/) [John J. Ratey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-ratey/) > [Everybody has different strengths. That's the fun thing about tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/everybody-has-different-strengths-that-s-the-fun-thing-about-tennis/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [Just try to take it one match at a time. It's a really cliche thing that tennis players say, but I don't know how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-eubanks/just-try-to-take-it-one-match-at-a-time-it-s-a-really-cliche-thing/) [Christopher Eubanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-eubanks/) > [For me the most important thing has always been tennis, and that's what I want to get across the image I want to portray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/for-me-the-most-important-thing-has-always-been-tennis-and-that-s/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [The thing about tennis life is that it's the same thing every day. You train. You come back to the hotel. You get treatment.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kyrgios/the-thing-about-tennis-life-is-that-it-s-the-same-thing-every-day-you/) [Nick Kyrgios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kyrgios/) > [Height is a funny thing in tennis because it definitely helps the serve, but it can hinder agility and movement. I think I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-anderson/height-is-a-funny-thing-in-tennis-because-it-definitely-helps-the/) [Kevin Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-anderson/) > [The thing about tennis is if you stay off for two weeks, or just for three days, you can lose your rhythm quickly. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/the-thing-about-tennis-is-if-you-stay-off-for-two-weeks-or-just-for/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [I try to find positive things, and the best positive thing about tennis, and this could be very well used in life, is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniil-medvedev/i-try-to-find-positive-things-and-the-best-positive-thing-about/) [Daniil Medvedev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniil-medvedev/) > [The funny thing about tennis is that you're not always going to play your best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-eubanks/the-funny-thing-about-tennis-is-that-you-re-not-always-going-to-play/) [Christopher Eubanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-eubanks/) > [The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I'll never be as good as a wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/the-depressing-thing-about-tennis-is-that-no-matter-how-good-i-get-i/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [After an injury left me unable to perform my usual routine, I focused on the best upper body workouts to keep myself fit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-kapler/after-an-injury-left-me-unable-to-perform-my-usual-routine-i-focused/) [Gabe Kapler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-kapler/) > [I'm a little top heavy, so I have to pay attention to that area. I think it was from my years of swimming in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-romijn/i-m-a-little-top-heavy-so-i-have-to-pay-attention-to-that-area-i/) [Rebecca Romijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-romijn/) > [We mix it up quite a bit - upper body, lower body, leg workouts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-gurley/we-mix-it-up-quite-a-bit-upper-body-lower-body-leg-workouts/) [Todd Gurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-gurley/) > [I could never focus on my upper body as a skater, so I'm enjoying having symmetrical upper and lower body muscle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/i-could-never-focus-on-my-upper-body-as-a-skater-so-i-m-enjoying/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I was never an upper body wrestler. I am a shooter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chandler/i-was-never-an-upper-body-wrestler-i-am-a-shooter/) [Michael Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chandler/) ## More by John Isner > [You know, Slams are tough. It's the most physical, in my opinion. You're playing three out of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/you-know-slams-are-tough-it-s-the-most-physical-in-my-opinion-you-re/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [There are a lot of things that go on between the lines of a tennis court, mentally, physically and whatnot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/there-are-a-lot-of-things-that-go-on-between-the-lines-of-a-tennis/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [For many years, tennis was the most important thing in my life. That was great. Nothing wrong with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/for-many-years-tennis-was-the-most-important-thing-in-my-life-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [The best thing about being 6'9'' is that it helps with my tennis game, especially with my serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/the-best-thing-about-being-6-9-is-that-it-helps-with-my-tennis-game/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [My favorite tournament is the U.S. Open because the atmosphere is great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/my-favorite-tournament-is-the-u-s-open-because-the-atmosphere-is-great/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [Any time you get to come to New York and be near New York City, that is a very cool opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/any-time-you-get-to-come-to-new-york-and-be-near-new-york-city-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I know where I'm ranked, but I don't look at it that much, I don't study it that much. 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Airlines are pretty accommodating and most of the time I'll get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-always-ask-for-the-exit-row-when-flying-airlines-are-pretty/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [You're going to lose points and gain points throughout the year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/you-re-going-to-lose-points-and-gain-points-throughout-the-year/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [People seem to think when you lose a match it's because you are not working hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/people-seem-to-think-when-you-lose-a-match-it-s-because-you-are-not/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [A lot of times when I'm confident and relaxed on the court, I'm going to be a pretty tough out. But when I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/a-lot-of-times-when-i-m-confident-and-relaxed-on-the-court-i-m-going/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [When I fly overseas, I usually fly business class. If not, my knees are going to be at my chin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/when-i-fly-overseas-i-usually-fly-business-class-if-not-my-knees-are/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I was always a late bloomer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-was-always-a-late-bloomer/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I can't beat guys consistently playing like I'm 5-foot-10.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-can-t-beat-guys-consistently-playing-like-i-m-5-foot-10/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [The good wins are still great, and you are on cloud nine when that happens, but the losses sting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/the-good-wins-are-still-great-and-you-are-on-cloud-nine-when-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) [Explore all 105 John Isner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) ## More Big quotes > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. 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But that's also a big part of why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/my-parents-are-divorced-and-seeing-that-was-really-painful-for-me/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I always want to do a big finale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/i-always-want-to-do-a-big-finale/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. 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