Ever wondered about the quirky routines tennis champions follow before stepping onto the court?
Many top players have superstitions, habits, or rituals they repeat before and during matches. These routines help improve their mental strength, keep them focused, reduce stress, and boost their confidence to deliver their best performance.
Maria Sharapova’s Pre-Serve Ritual
One of the most iconic tennis champions’ rituals is Maria Sharapova’s pre-serve routine. Before every serve, she turns her back to the opponent and walks to the baseline. After a few seconds, she faces forward, does small jumps, fixes her hair behind her ears, bounces the ball a few times, and executes the serve accompanied by her signature grunt. Between points, she avoids stepping on court lines—a small but consistent superstition.
Learn more about improving your serve rituals.
Goran Ivanišević and the Teletubbies
The Croatian legend Goran Ivanišević is known for his unique superstition that helped him win Wimbledon in 2001. After losing three Wimbledon finals, Ivanišević adopted a peculiar routine during his fourth attempt: he watched the Teletubbies before every match, ate at the same restaurant, sat in the same chair, and ordered the same meal. This ritual gave him a sense of luck and confidence, culminating in his long-awaited victory.
Read more about the psychology of sports routines.
Novak Djokovic and the Ball Bounce
Novak Djokovic is famous for bouncing the ball numerous times before serving, especially during critical moments in a match. This repetitive act helps him focus and calm his nerves. In one instance, a spectator shouted for him to stop and serve already! Typically, Djokovic starts by bouncing the ball with his racket, then switches to his hand, sometimes bouncing it up to 25 times before finally serving.
Rafael Nadal’s Elaborate Rituals
Rafael Nadal is arguably the most superstitious player in tennis. Before each match, he follows a strict routine: he carefully arranges his bench, places two water bottles with labels facing the court, and steps onto the court with his right foot first. During matches, he avoids stepping on lines, lets his opponent cross first during side changes, and follows a precise sequence before serving: pulling up his socks, adjusting his shorts, fixing his sleeves, tucking his hair behind his ears, and touching his nose. And, of course, he’s famous for biting the trophy after every victory.
Discover how routines improve mental toughness.
Why Routines Matter for Tennis Champions
These tennis champions’ rituals may seem odd, but they highlight the importance of mental preparation in tennis. At ALE Tennis Academy, we recognize this and include mental development in our training programs. Our curriculum not only focuses on skills and tactics but also instills principles and values that serve our players on and off the court.
Want to improve your game? Join ALE Tennis Academy for personalized lessons that elevate your mental and physical performance.
