Late matches, high pressure and tough conditions at the US Open show how important focus and recovery are. Here is how you can use the strategies of the tennis elite for your game.
Every year, the US Open in New York offers world-class tennis under extreme conditions. Whether it is oppressive heat in the afternoon or nerve-wracking matches that drag on deep into the night: the pros have to push themselves to their limits, not only in terms of play, but above all mentally and physically. As reports from Tennis Majors and tennisnet.com show, it is often not the better shots that decide victory or defeat, but the ability to deal with unforeseen situations and to give the body the necessary recovery.
An extreme example of the physical and mental strain in modern tennis was the quarter-final between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz, which, according to Tennis365, did not end until 3:30 in the morning. Such a late match completely disrupts your biorhythm. Anyone who wants to survive here must adapt extremely quickly. Alexander Zverev also had to change his routine at short notice: after five consecutive night sessions, his semi-final against Karen Khachanov was surprisingly moved to the afternoon day session. Although Zverev was not particularly pleased about this, it is precisely this flexibility that distinguishes top athletes.
In addition to the unusual times, mental strength on the court plays a decisive role. Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka demonstrated in the semi-finals how to deal with an opposing crowd. Both had to play against US crowd favourites (Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula) and kept their nerves despite the loud support for their opponents. Rybakina turned the match around after being a set down, while Sabalenka used the extra motivation to play her way into the final.
The parallel to professional life also illustrates how important recovery is in sport. According to an article by Tennis Majors, continuous recovery is indispensable for long-term performance. Anyone who trains without breaks risks injury and a drop in performance. After their matches, the pros use ice baths, massages, targeted stretching sessions and strict sleep hygiene to rebuild the body as quickly as possible after extreme exertion such as a five-set thriller.
Even if you do not play in front of tens of thousands of spectators in New York, you can transfer the principles of the tennis elite to your own game:
Your takeaway: Mental flexibility during unusual match times and consistent recovery after the match are just as important for your success as the correct shot technique.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.