NUTRITION AND PREPARATION TIPS FROM 5 ATHLETES NOT PART OF THE WORLD O

Anikka Lynn for Tecnifibre

As in every sport, preparation is vital for success on a tennis court. Whether it's Oliver Malcor training his players for the grass court season or an individual player wanting to modify their training and/or diet, preparation often makes the difference between success and achievement. All athletes constantly adapt their training methods for competition.

In this article, we will see advice on nutrition and preparation from 5 athletes, not from the tennis world, and we will discover how we can adapt their methods to our own preparation.

Don't neglect breakfast – Anthony Joshua

Joshua's elite physique and fitness owe much to his healthy diet. While every meal counts, a good breakfast sets him up for the day. Every morning, the Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight boxer drinks a glass of water right after lunch, because reducing the body's water content diminishes our ability to generate power. For breakfast, Anthony Joshua eats fruit and porridge (cereal with milk – an English specialty). This allows him to accumulate vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, while also providing a slow release of carbohydrates. This ensures he has the energy he needs to train hard all day. Tennis players, too, must ensure they eat properly and don't skip meals, as this would affect their energy levels when they step onto the court.

Setting high goals – Rudy Gobert

French basketball star Rudy Gobert knows the areas of the game in which he needs to improve and that's why he's doing everything he can to make sure he progresses.

In a 2018 interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, he spoke about his goals: "I really want to be one of the best players in basketball history." During the offseason, Rudy Gobert worked extensively on his offense, which had been described by experts as a major weakness.

Gobert's hard work paid off the following season, as he posted career-best stats in points (15.9 per game), rebounds (12.9 per game), and shooting percentage (67%). But Gobert didn't rest on his laurels, and that's not the way to be the best. You have to set the bar high in terms of goals and then work to achieve them. Since tennis is primarily an individual sport, the best motivation will come from within.

There's always something you can do to improve . - François D'Haene, Ultra-Trail Runner

Stay hydrated – Cristiano Ronaldo

Athletes must always be at their maximum hydration level. In an interview with FourFourTwo about his training, Cristiano Ronaldo explained that staying hydrated gives him the energy he needs to train and play.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner relies heavily on his energy drinks to meet the physical demands of football. According to Ronaldo, these drinks provide "a mix of carbohydrates that boosts endurance." They also provide electrolytes to ensure hydration and vitamin B12, which reduces fatigue. Tennis players also need to stay hydrated, especially during matches. Sports drinks are a good complement to water and help you stay sharp and focused while playing. It's also important to pay attention to hydration during training, as it can also affect performance.

Working on your reflexes – Lewis Hamilton

While Sportskeeda includes him in their list of the most trained F1 drivers, Lewis Hamilton likes his sessions to be "fun" but varied.

He does a lot of fitness training to strengthen his body and muscles, and he also pays close attention to working on his reflexes. Ladbrokes published an article titled "Welcome to the World of Lewis Hamilton," in which they note that the five-time world champion uses reaction balls to improve his reflexes. F1 drivers are among the athletes with the fastest reaction times, and these exercises have proven crucial to his success. Just like Hamilton, tennis players constantly need to work on their reflexes and agility. Reaction balls can help with these exercises.

Hexagonal balls introduce uncertainty and therefore require concentration and a quick reaction that can resemble conditions on the court.

Adaptation! – François D'Haene

François D'Haene, a French long-distance runner, knows that sometimes life can get in the way of training. In D'Haene's case, he has a job he needs to think about, so to be properly prepared, he adapts and takes advantage of any free moment he has.

If you want to be a good tennis player, you have to be sure you can find time to train.

If you're not a professional, personal obligations will often get in the way of your training. It's easy to develop bad habits. If you don't have time to go on the court, you can work on your physical conditioning. There's always something you can do to improve your game.