Tennis

Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked American tennis player, prioritizes nutrition and fitness in his daily routine. His day begins with a glass of cold water to stimulate his system, followed by a protein-rich breakfast. Fritz typically opts for a smoothie made with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey protein powder, ensuring adequate protein intake to fuel his demanding training regimen.After breakfast, Fritz heads to the gym for a comprehensive workout routine. His focus is on strengthening his core, shoulders, and legs, which are essential for tennis performance and injury prevention. During the peak season, he adjusts his workouts to shorter, functional sessions that support muscle recovery.Post-workout, Fritz replenishes his protein stores with another whey shake from Gold Standard, this time in the Double Chocolate flavor. These shakes provide him with 24 grams of protein per serving, satisfying his sweet tooth while aiding in muscle recovery.Fritz emphasizes the importance of managing his calorie and protein intake. Over the years, his nutrition program has evolved to prioritize consistent energy levels and post-workout muscle recovery. He ensures that he consumes sufficient calories throughout the day to maintain his energy levels.Fritz's fitness journey has been marked by a focus on core strength, shoulder stability, and leg power. He incorporates exercises such as planks, push-ups, and squats into his routine. Additionally, he emphasizes flexibility and mobility through stretching and yoga.Fritz's dedication to nutrition and fitness has played a significant role in his success on the court. By prioritizing protein intake, engaging in targeted workouts, and managing his calorie intake, he has optimized his performance and maintained his position among the world's top tennis players.

Taylor Fritz's remarkable run to the US Open final has been a testament to his unwavering determination and meticulous preparation. Despite a disappointing end to 2023, Fritz's off-season training block proved to be a turning point.According to his coach, Michael Russell, Fritz's time on the sidelines allowed him to focus on his fitness and develop a more consistent training regimen. This paid dividends at the Australian Open, where he pushed Novak Djokovic to the limit in a four-set loss.Fritz's fitness became a key factor in his success at the majors. He reached the round of 16 at Roland Garros, outlasted Alexander Zverev in a grueling five-set Wimbledon quarterfinal, and repeated the feat against Frances Tiafoe to reach the US Open final. In both matches, Fritz's endurance proved crucial as his opponents wilted in the late stages.Russell believes that Fritz's off-court habits have played a significant role in his recent success. The San Diego native has embraced a rigorous fitness routine and made significant changes to his nutrition.Fritz admits to having a sweet tooth, but he has learned the importance of consuming foods that provide sustained energy and support his recovery. His daily routine includes a protein-rich smoothie for breakfast, followed by a gym session focused on core, shoulders, and legs.Post-workout, Fritz replenishes his protein stores with a whey shake, which helps him reach his daily protein intake of nearly 200 grams. This is essential for maintaining his strength and recovering from intense matches.Fritz's physical improvements have been a major factor in his 2024 success. However, he emphasizes that it has been a gradual process of fine-tuning his routine rather than a radical overhaul."Reaching the Open final was a huge achievement, and my fitness played a key role in that," Fritz said. "Over the summer, I didn't radically change my training regimen, but rather maintained a consistent and strategic approach."As Fritz approaches the Top 5 once again, he is determined to avoid a repeat of last season's late-season breakdown. He will return to the Paris Masters next week, aiming to secure a spot in the year-end tour finals in Turin.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, has allayed concerns about his fitness ahead of the 2024 tournament after a minor ankle injury forced him to cut short a practice session on Saturday.Speaking at his Media Day press conference, Alcaraz explained that he stopped the practice as a precautionary measure. "I didn't feel comfortable enough to keep practicing just in case if everything is going to be worse," he said. "But, you know, after a few hours later, I'm still feeling good, you know, my feet, so tomorrow I will try to be practicing again 100% without thinking about it, but today I'll take care about it."Alcaraz, who was practicing with fellow ATP pro Francisco Cerundolo, expressed more disappointment for Cerundolo than concern for himself. "I wasn't worried at all for my US Open participation," he said. "Obviously, I was angry because I don't want to stop the practice, just to respect Cerundolo, as well."The 2022 champion was later seen on court for Arthur Ashe Kid's Day and was in good spirits throughout his press conference. Alcaraz has won the last two major tournaments at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and won a silver medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.Despite having played only one match since the Olympics, Alcaraz is confident in his preparation for the US Open. "Obviously, I would have loved to have more matches on my belt on hard court before the US Open," he said. "But, I mean, it doesn't affect me at all. If I look back a little bit, you know, for example, facing the Roland Garros, I hadn't too much matches on clay, and it was a pretty good result. And then in Wimbledon, same thing, you know.""So, I don't want to think that it's going to be the same, you know, than the previous two Grand Slams, but I'm not worried about not having too many matches on hard court."Alcaraz will open his US Open campaign against Australian qualifier Li Tu on Tuesday.

Casper Ruud's recent success on the tennis court can be attributed to a significant physical transformation. The Norwegian star has shed 4 kilograms since last year, resulting in a noticeable improvement in his mobility and agility.Ruud's weight loss journey began after a disappointing 2022 season, during which he struggled to keep up with his opponents due to a lack of proper off-season training. Determined to regain his speed and quickness, Ruud embarked on a rigorous fitness regimen that included weightlifting and a strict diet.However, Ruud realized that his previous approach was counterproductive. The excessive weightlifting had made him stiff and slow, hindering his performance on the court. As a result, he shifted his focus to building agility and flexibility.Ruud's new training regime involved reducing his carbohydrate and sugar intake while increasing his consumption of clean, healthy foods. He also incorporated more agility drills into his workouts. The results have been evident in his recent performances.In 2023, Ruud has already surpassed his hard-court match wins from the previous year. He reached the finals in Los Cabos and Acapulco, and avenged a clay-court defeat to Arthur Fils in Indian Wells.Ruud's physical transformation has not only improved his on-court performance but has also boosted his confidence. He is now aiming to finish the season in the Top 10 and win a major title."The last two years I got a taste of being at the really, really top of the rankings, and all these things, and it's more fun than being No. 11 or finishing the year No. 11," Ruud said.With his newfound fitness and determination, Ruud is poised to make a significant impact on the tennis world in the years to come.