He misses soft drinks the most, the four cans he consumed daily.
Scott Lieberman has been focused since the 2004 tennis season ended, working regularly with performance trainer Mindee Epstein of Northbrook-based TipTop Fitness. She stresses agility, core exercises and a strict diet.
That means no fast-food restaurants on a regular basis. No soft drinks. Lots of salads. Breakfast daily. Eight glasses of water per day. More protein, less carbohydrates in his diet. He also has cut weightlifting out of his routine.
“I’ve noticed a big difference. Heck, I could feel a difference after a month, when I lost about 10 pounds,” said Lieberman, 17, a Deerfield junior who finished a surprising fourth in singles at last year’s state tournament. “I’m lighter, quicker, faster to the ball. I have better explosiveness and a better ability to run down balls.”
Clearly, he is not content being among the best in the state. He wants that top spot–and is doing everything possible to claim the singles crown that Lake Forest’s Drew Eberly won last spring. Lieberman is the highest returning singles player this year, though New Trier’s P.J. Rose–fifth last year–has been the early-season favorite to win state at the end of May.
“I’ve seen a change in his body: He’s definitely leaner, which will help his performance,” Epstein said. “He works at it 110 percent. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as him.”
Lieberman is ranked No. 83 nationally by the USTA in the 18-and-under division. He is an aggressive player with a steady baseline style. He has a serve that, at times, is pinpoint and lethal.
“To get to that next level, I wanted to do whatever I could, whatever I had to,” he said. “Initially, I just looked at [Epstein’s plan] as a challenge, sort of a game for myself. And sure, it’s been tough to maintain it at times. But I can definitely tell a difference in my play.
“This whole season is going to be a challenge, playing No. 1 singles against the top players from around the state. But that’s exciting. I know there won’t be any easy matches this year. Last year, I wasn’t really supposed to finish fourth. I guess that was a surprise to some. But that gives me added pressure for this year. Even from my friends, all of whom expect me to win state.”
The individual title is just one possibility, said this piano- and guitar-playing junior.
“I think this is one of the best chances we have to win a state championship as a team,” Lieberman said. “We’re very deep, and I think we have a real good chance to win it all.”
A singles title for Lieberman would be a remarkable feat, considering he switched from doubles to singles last year right before the sectionals.
“He’s amazingly strong and aggressive, and he never quits,” Lake Forest coach Corky Leighton said. “To come out of nowhere last year, with so little singles experience, and finish fourth was amazing. There probably are five or six who are right there this year–and Scott Lieberman absolutely is in that category.”
