How do tennis players stay hydrated?
James Craig
Published Jan 24, 2026
To properly hydrate for a tennis match, or even a practice session, you want to drink 12-16 oz. of water 1 hour before even stepping on the court. On top of that, drink fluids often throughout the day. If you come onto the court and are thirsty during warm-up then you are likely already dehydrated.
What do tennis players drink to stay hydrated?
He recommends water in the morning, energy drinks with fructose and hydration drinks during workouts, and protein drinks after play. Professional tennis players usually drink both water and sports drinks during a match.
What do tennis players drink while playing?
Most professional tennis players have two different drink bottles on the court. One contains water while the other is an electrolyte drink and / or energy drink packed with sugars to help players burn through more energy during the match.
What electrolytes do tennis players drink?
The most common electrolytes are sodium, potassium, and calcium, and drinks like Cytomax, Endurox and Biosteel are full of them.
Do tennis players drink Gatorade?
If you watch tennis on TV, it is likely that your favorite player seems to be drinking “cloudy water” or a pink drink. These are just their forms of electrolyte replenishing drinks. Those men and women have the resources for custom drinks for matches, so you'll rarely see a top player sipping on a Gatorade.
26 related questions foundWhy do tennis players drink pickle juice?
“The pickle juice is used to prevent cramping for the players. It adds sodium to your system and hopefully stabilises it,” he said. “These guys are losing a lot through perspiration. When Medvedev was a young player in 2017 he cramped up once, he was in Davis Cup against Novak and the other time at Roland-Garros.
What is pickle juice that tennis players drink?
"Pickle juice contains sodium, potassium and vinegar and the obvious conclusion would be that it replaces sodium and salts lost when playing sport in a hot and humid environment like the Australian Open thus prevent cramping," said Dr Ranchordas.
What does Djokovic drink during changeover?
Arugula, roasted peppers, fresh tomatoes, sometimes cucumber, a lot of broccoli, a lot of cauliflower, green beans, carrots. I combine the vegetables with the pasta and some olive oil and a bit of salt. During practice, the Serb takes two bottles of an energy drink containing fructose extract.
Why do tennis players bounce ball before serving?
In essence, bouncing the ball before serving gives tennis players an opportunity to develop a tactic for the point to follow, helps them to focus on their serve technique, and serves as a time to breathe and relax before the next point.
What water does Novak?
Djokovic's diet cuts out coffee, sugar and only allows the 26-year-old to drink warm water all day long. Yes, warm water, because cold water apparently "slows digestion and "diverts blood away from where I want it—in my muscles."" Want to roll like the world's top men's tennis player?
Do professional tennis players drink alcohol?
“There is very little alcohol consumed as players take their matches and practice very seriously. “But the tour is still a great place to be and there is plenty of fun to be had, though the stories we hear about what it was like 'back in the day,' it isn't even close nowadays.”
How do you hydrate before a tennis match?
Drink at least 16-20 oz. of water (one standard bottle) or electrolyte-enhanced sports drink two hours before the tennis practice or matchplay. Drink 4-8 oz. (4-8 normal swallows or 1.4-1.2 a regular size bottle) for a light to medium sweater and 8-16 oz.
What do tennis players eat during breaks?
Lean proteins (i.e. tuna, chicken, lean cuts of meat) for muscle recovery and fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and wholegrains for protection and recovery are other important components. It's likely you'll find athletes regularly sipping on fluids with a bottle at the ready!
Why do tennis players ask for three balls?
Tennis players may check three balls or more before serving so that they can select one smooth ball and one fluffy ball. The smooth ball is used for the first serve. Because the hairs are flattened down, the ball travels faster than an older ball, which should make it harder to return.
Why do tennis players hit their shoes with their racquet?
They give you grip, they maintain friction and they give you stability. They make you feel light, they help you with speed, and they could be all the difference in you reaching the tennis ball to hit that incredible volley shot.
Why do tennis players keep a ball in their pocket?
This gesture is made to the player returning serve by the player serving as sort of a "heads up, the balls might fly faster now" warning. During pro matches, 6 balls (2 cans) of new balls are given to the players before warm-up and then new balls are introduced after the first 7 games, then every 9 games thereafter.
Does Djokovic eat sugar?
"My life changed because I had begun to eat the right foods for my body, in the way that my body demanded," he says in the book. The 26-year-old's recipe for success involves avoiding gluten and dairy, and limiting sugar.
What is Djokovic's diet?
Most famously, he eats only plant-based and gluten-free foods. Though he doesn't like to be called a vegan, Djokovic largely avoids eating meats, fish, or any other animal-based products. He also does not eat gluten, which is a protein found naturally in wheat and some other grains. He also avoids dairy products.
What are tennis players eating on court?
The 4 reasons why tennis players eat bananas during matches are: 1) they are a good source of carbohydrates, giving the players the energy they need; 2) they are full of potassium, which helps to prevent cramps during long matches; 3) they are natural and filled with vitamins; and 4) they are a quick and easy snack, ...
Why do tennis players grunt?
Grunting is part of the rhythm for tennis players, according to Louise Deeley, a sports psychologist at Roehampton University. She said the times when players grunt assists them with the rhythm of how they're hitting and how they're pacing things.
What do tennis players drink to stop cramps?
Consuming a sports drink such as Gatorade will help prevent cramping. If he/she does not like a sports drink, adding salt to your water or drink of choice is a good way to substitute the sodium lost during play. Recent research has shown that drinking Alkaline water also helps keep a higher PH level in the body.
What's in pickle juice that makes cramps go away?
At one time, it was thought that dehydration and/or low levels of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium were the cause. In fact, many athletes tout the benefits of pickle juice, which is high in electrolytes, to relieve muscle cramps.