Tennis

Nutrition: The Key to Unlocking Tennis PerformanceNutrition plays a pivotal role in the success of tennis players at all levels. A balanced and nutritious diet provides the fuel and energy needed for optimal performance on and off the court. For elite athletes, the difference between victory and defeat can often be determined by their dietary choices.While the terms "nutrition" and "healthy eating" may conjure up images of deprivation, it's important to remember that smart food choices don't have to mean sacrificing enjoyment. Even legendary players like Roger Federer indulge in their sweet cravings from time to time.The key to effective nutrition is to provide the body and mind with both nutritional value and enjoyment. For young tennis players, developing a balanced intake is crucial. Restricting sweets, sodas, and processed foods can be counterproductive, leading to irritability and frustration on the court.A balanced diet should include a balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Carbohydrates provide energy, protein supports muscle growth and repair, and fats provide essential fatty acids.In addition to nutritional value, it's equally important to consider the psychological aspect of eating. Allowing for occasional indulgences can help prevent cravings and feelings of deprivation. This balance promotes contentment and reduces stress, which can translate into improved performance on the court.Professional tennis players are constantly experimenting with their diets to find what works best for them. US Open finalist Taylor Fritz attributes his recent success to minor dietary changes. Whether it's plant-based, vegetarian, gluten-free, or carnivorous, the ideal diet should support both nutritional needs and personal preferences.By finding a balance between nutritional value and enjoyment, tennis players can unlock their full potential on the court. They will have more energy, patience, and mental clarity, enabling them to play longer points, make strategic decisions, and maintain control during crucial moments.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has opened up about the challenges she faced with her changing postpartum figure and the pressure to "snap back" after giving birth to her first daughter.Osaka returned to the tennis tour this year after a break to welcome her daughter, Shai. While she kept expectations in check about her on-court performance, she faced different pressures off the courts.In a lengthy social media post, Osaka shared that she felt "ashamed" of her body at times, especially when wearing form-fitting tennis clothes. She admitted to fighting the "overwhelming urge to 'snap back'" and compared herself to other moms who seemed to lose weight quickly after giving birth."Seeing other moms seemingly shrink immediately after having their baby was an expectation I began to put on myself," Osaka wrote. "That self-comparison always hurt because I felt as an athlete I should be losing weight quicker than most."Osaka shared a series of photos showing the evolution of her postpartum figure, expressing gratitude for her body's journey. She emphasized that all bodies are different and that she appreciates hers for how it is."My body has done so much for me and adapted so well to the tasks that I'm asking from it, I'm extremely grateful and thankful," Osaka said.Osaka's post resonated with fellow moms and athletes, who praised her honesty and vulnerability. WTA world No. 68 Taylor Townsend commented, "Our bodies are amazing! YOU ARE AMAZING!" while Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track and field athlete, said, "I definitely can relate to your journey."Despite the challenges, Osaka finished the year with a 22-17 record, reaching two quarterfinals. She showed flashes of her best form and even held match point against Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros.Currently ranked No. 59, Osaka is aiming for a strong start to the 2025 season after a back injury and ruptured abdominal forced her to withdraw from her remaining WTA events.

The WTA Finals, the season-ending tournament for the top eight women's tennis players, has unveiled its draw for 2024. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek will lead their respective round-robin groups.Sabalenka, who regained the top ranking after winning the US Open and Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, will headline the Purple Group. Joining her are No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini, No. 5 seed Elena Rybakina, and No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen.Swiatek, the reigning WTA Finals champion, will lead the Orange Group. She will be joined by No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula, and No. 8 seed Barbora Krejcikova.Sabalenka, who won two Grand Slams in 2024, will be looking to avenge her loss to Swiatek in last year's semifinals. Swiatek, who has won four Roland Garros titles, will be aiming to defend her WTA Finals crown.The 2024 WTA Finals will be held at the King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The tournament will run from November 2 to 9, with round-robin play beginning on Saturday, November 2.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the rising French tennis star, extended his remarkable indoor winning streak at the Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday, overcoming a spirited challenge from Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling three-set battle.The 6' 8" Frenchman, fresh off his triumph at the ATP 500 event in Basel, faced a stern test from the world No. 17 Tiafoe. Despite being pushed to the brink in the second set, Mpetshi Perricard displayed resilience and determination to secure a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory.The match was a testament to Mpetshi Perricard's growing stature in the tennis world. The 21-year-old has now compiled an impressive 5-1 record against Top 20 players this year, including victories over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Holger Rune, and Taylor Fritz. His only loss came against world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing.Adding to his impressive record, Mpetshi Perricard has also embarked on an extraordinary serving streak. He has held his last 80 service games in a row, a remarkable feat that began in Antwerp two weeks ago. In Basel last week, he held all 60 of his service games en route to the title.Against Tiafoe, Mpetshi Perricard faced only two break points and saved them both. His unwavering serve proved to be a decisive factor in the match, as he was able to dictate the pace and control the rallies."It means a lot to win in front of the French people. It's unbelievable," said Mpetshi Perricard after the match. "It was an amazing match for me. I did some good things—some bad things sometimes, but yeah it happens! The most important part is I have the win, and now I have to be focused for the next match. I hope to have the same crowd cheering for me."Up next for Mpetshi Perricard is a clash with No. 21-ranked Karen Khachanov. The Frenchman will be aiming to continue his winning streak and make a deep run in his home tournament.

Andrey Rublev's hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for a fifth consecutive season suffered a major setback on Tuesday as he was upset by Francisco Cerundolo in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters. The 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) defeat leaves Rublev's fate hanging in the balance, with Alex de Minaur now poised to leapfrog him for a Turin ticket.Rublev had been closely monitoring the race to the ATP Finals in recent weeks, but his bid to secure his place was put in jeopardy by Cerundolo's inspired performance. The Argentine saved three break points in a marathon game to reach 6-5 in the second set and then clinched the match in a tense tiebreak.With Rublev's loss, de Minaur now has a chance to overtake him in the ATP Race to Turin standings. The Australian began the Paris Masters 165 points behind Rublev and will face Cerundolo's compatriot Mariano Navone in his first-round match.Grigor Dimitrov, the returning finalist in Paris, can also join the ATP Finals conversation with another deep run. Casper Ruud, who was one spot ahead of Rublev in the standings, now has more breathing room to work with.Rublev expressed his disappointment after the match but acknowledged that the players who could prevent him from qualifying are "wonderful people." He added, "If I don't qualify, I'll be happy for them."Soon after Cerundolo's victory, it was announced that Taylor Fritz had become the fifth player to qualify for the ATP Finals. The top-ranked American joins Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev in the eight-man field.There are two ATP 250 events available to hopefuls seeking the final three places next week in Metz and Belgrade. Rublev did not initially enter either tournament, but could pursue a wild card if it impacts his chances of making the ATP Finals.

Jessica Pegula's tennis journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Despite reaching the quarterfinal stage of Grand Slams six times, she had consistently fallen short in the latter stages. However, her performance at the 2022 WTA Finals and the US Open suggests a turning point in her career.At the WTA Finals, Pegula reached the final without dropping a set, becoming the first player since 2017 to achieve this feat. Although she lost to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Pegula remained positive, acknowledging her progress against the world's best.At the US Open, Pegula reached her first Grand Slam singles final, defeating Swiatek in the quarterfinals and rallying from a deficit against Karolina Muchova in the semifinals. Despite losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the final, Pegula's performance was seen as a major breakthrough.Pegula's success has been attributed to her resilience and determination. Despite facing criticism due to her privileged background, she has forged an exceptional career through hard work and dedication. She regularly plays doubles, a discipline often overlooked by top singles players, and represents her country whenever possible.Off the court, Pegula is known for her approachable and genuine nature. She connects with fans through social media and in person, fostering a loyal following. However, she remains aware of the preconceived notions surrounding her and refuses to let them define her.Pegula's recent success has been the culmination of a coaching change and a revised schedule. After splitting from her longtime coach, she found new guidance in Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein. By reducing her doubles commitments, she has been able to focus on her singles game, resulting in improved form and consistency.As Pegula enters the offseason, she reflects on her achievements and looks forward to the future. Despite the grind of professional tennis, she remains motivated and determined to continue improving. Her journey serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating the power of perseverance and self-belief.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner's withdrawal from the Rolex Paris Masters has cast a shadow over the final ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the 2024 season. The Italian star, who has enjoyed a stellar year with Grand Slam triumphs at the Australian Open and US Open, announced his decision on Tuesday, citing a lingering illness.Sinner's absence is a significant blow to the tournament, as he was the top seed and a strong contender for the title. In a video message posted to the tournament's social media, Sinner expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw. "I'm very disappointed to tell you that I'm not able to play here at this tournament," he said. "I came very early here to prepare and felt sick. I'm having a virus at the moment, which is going to pass in the next two-three days. So, body-wise, I'm not ready to compete."Sinner's withdrawal comes after a hectic fall swing that included a runner-up finish at the China Open, a victory at the Rolex Shanghai Masters over Novak Djokovic, and a lucrative appearance at the inaugural Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh. The 23-year-old Italian took home over six million dollars in both appearance and prize money for winning the six-man event, but he emphasized that his primary motivation was to test himself against the world's best players."Of course, it's a nice prize and everything," Sinner explained, "but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world. And then you can measure yourself with them."Despite his withdrawal from the Rolex Paris Masters, Sinner has already secured a berth at the ATP Finals in Turin. He will be replaced in the draw by lucky loser Arthur Cazaux, who will open against either Corentin Moutet or Ben Shelton.

Rohan Bopanna, India's premier doubles player, has secured a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals alongside his Australian partner Matthew Ebden. This marks Bopanna's fourth appearance in the tournament, a testament to his exceptional skills and longevity in the sport.The Indo-Aussie duo clinched their place after Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow were eliminated at the Rolex Paris Masters, finalizing the 2024 field. Joining Bopanna and Ebden in Turin's elite line-up are Wesley Koolhof/Nikola Mektic, Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz, Harri Heliovaara/Henry Patten, Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic, Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos, Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori, and Max Purcell/Jordan Thompson.The ATP Finals, scheduled for November 10-17 at the Inalpi Arena, feature only the top eight doubles teams globally. Bopanna and Ebden have had a remarkable season, starting with a triumph at the Australian Open, where Bopanna became the oldest man at 43 years, 331 days to become a world No. 1. They also won the Miami Open and reached the final in Adelaide and the semi-finals at Roland Garros.This is the second consecutive year that Bopanna and Ebden have qualified for the ATP Finals. In 2023, they reached the semi-finals in Turin before being defeated by Granollers and Zeballos. For Bopanna, this event holds special significance as he aims to capture his maiden ATP Finals title. He previously finished as the finalist in 2012 with Mahesh Bhupathi and again in 2015 alongside Florin Mergea.Bopanna's ATP Finals journey began in 2011 with Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. His experience and determination will be crucial as he and Ebden strive to make a deep run in Turin and challenge for the coveted title.

Casper Ruud, the former World No. 2 and current Top 10 player, has endured a disappointing end to the 2024 season. Despite a strong start with a 47-22 record and a 68.1% winning percentage, Ruud has lost seven of his last nine matches, including stunning defeats to Henrique Rocha, Aleksandar Vukic, and Roberto Bautista Agut.Ruud's recent struggles have raised concerns about his motivation and preparation for the end of the season. He has openly criticized the lack of an offseason in tennis, suggesting that he may not be prioritizing this period. This is surprising considering his position in the ATP Finals race.One of Ruud's most notable losses during this slump was against Jordan Thompson in Tokyo. Thompson, who has a 4-3 head-to-head record against Ruud, has won two of their three encounters in 2024. Thompson's success against Ruud stems from his aggressive style of play, featuring a big serve and strong net play.Thompson's ability to exploit Ruud's weaknesses has made him a formidable opponent. While Ruud possesses a powerful forehand and a solid serve, his game can be inconsistent. Thompson has consistently found ways to expose these flaws.Given Ruud's recent form and Thompson's head-to-head advantage, the Australian is a strong pick to win their upcoming match at the Rolex Paris Masters. Despite Ruud's higher ranking and reputation, Thompson's current form and familiarity with his opponent's weaknesses make him the more likely victor.