[Thursday, June 6, 2019 11:07]

Nutrition in tennis: why we tennis players face very special challenges

The topic of nutrition is generally important for every athlete. For competitive athletes, the topic of nutrition is now an important building block for success, and the nutrition plan is indispensable. But also for us “hobby athletes”, we tennis players who play tournaments and association games every now and then throughout the year, a good and skillful diet can simply lead to better well-being. On and off the pitch. Amrei Korte , our nutrition coach, explains to us in the first part of our special why we as tennis players face very special challenges in eating and drinking the right things at the right time.

What actually makes the demands on our diet in tennis so special?

Why should I pay attention to anything different than in other sports? A legitimate question but with good answers. Because: There are a few points that clearly differentiate tennis from other sports and thus also the requirements for what we eat and drink:

1 We almost never know when our match will start . Unless we are lucky enough to play in the first round, the weather cooperates and the previous games also ended on time. Otherwise it usually means: “not before” or just “after” such and such a game or “in the second, third, or fourth round”. How long this round will last is anyone's guess.
2 And that brings us to the second problem: we never know how long our game will last. Nor how strenuous or relaxed it will be, whether it will be interrupted by rain or injury breaks and, in most cases, how much the opponent will challenge us mentally and physically.
3 Tennis is neither a classic endurance sport nor a classic strength sport . It's a mix of both. And it requires much more: explosiveness, speed, balance, tactics & strategy, mental strength and endurance, body tension, feeling for the ball and certainly more!
4 The conditions are constantly different : sometimes we play on clay, sometimes on hard courts, sometimes with these balls, sometimes with those balls, sometimes it's extremely hot, the sun is blinding with every serve and high ball, then again it's cold, windy and maybe drizzling even. Sometimes we play after we get out of the car feeling sick after a winding drive and there are no places to play, sometimes we can warm up comfortably on our own seats and drink a cup of tea in peace before we get started

What should I eat and when?

In general, I would like to say one thing in advance: every person and every body is different. Therefore, I recommend trying different things and paying attention to your body's reaction. At the beginning it can help to keep a kind of diary, i.e. to write down: what did I eat and when - how did I feel during the match or training and how afterwards?

Nobody knows what you need better than your own body!

A diet rich in carbohydrates works for most athletes - after all, carbohydrates are the most important source of energy. It is also important to drink a lot (otherwise you will almost certainly experience a drop in performance - both physically and mentally).

In the next part we'll tell you what's best to eat BEFORE the match.

Do you have any questions about tennis and nutrition?

Then feel free to bring it along at any time! Amrei is happy to be able to help you with her wealth of experience!

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To person

Amrei amrei is an ecotrophologist, systemic coach and owner of CIVITA, a company that offers coaching and consulting for companies, individuals and athletes. This ranges from classic leadership training to team development and nutritional coaching for athletes, especially tennis players.