How to prepare for big matches

DonPepe

Rookie
For you singles players out there playing league and tournaments … what’s your ritual before the match ? Training aside tell us about what you eat the day/night, week before , sleep patterns hydrating , preparing your bags and equipment, etc ..
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
If for some reason you have to work really late or party really late and you only get 3 hours of sleep. Can you still play well in big matches next day ??
 

DonPepe

Rookie
If for some reason you have to work really late or party really late and you only get 3 hours of sleep. Can you still play well in big matches next day ??
Depends on opponent , and your skill level I guess but I’ve talked to players that hydrate big time for 3-5 days before a match especially in summer
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Depends on opponent , and your skill level I guess but I’ve talked to players that hydrate big time for 3-5 days before a match especially in summer

What is the proper hydration day before the big match in the morning ?? How many gallons of water should you drink ?
 
If your focus is solely on a match/tournament then take 1 of the 2 days beforehand off and have a light hit on the other day. Hydrate and eat as normal unless you're planning on playing more than 2 hard matches in 2 days then carb load if you like. If I have a racquet that is close to breaking strings I might restring that racquet ahead of time for a tournament.
 
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Injured Again

Hall of Fame
For you singles players out there playing league and tournaments … what’s your ritual before the match ? Training aside tell us about what you eat the day/night, week before , sleep patterns hydrating , preparing your bags and equipment, etc ..

Prior to the match, two advil up through the quarterfinals, and three advil in the semis and finals.

That's not quite tongue in cheek, but I don't do anything special. Just make sure the strings aren't on the verge of breaking. Doing anything really special places undue pressure to perform, and the situation is going to be pressure filled enough. So I just try to make it like any other day.
 

WhiteOut

Semi-Pro
Prior to the match, two advil up through the quarterfinals, and three advil in the semis and finals.

That's not quite tongue in cheek, but I don't do anything special. Just make sure the strings aren't on the verge of breaking. Doing anything really special places undue pressure to perform, and the situation is going to be pressure filled enough. So I just try to make it like any other day.

as much as i love ibuprofen like pez candy, it's harsher on the kidneys than naproxen...so as preventative, esp in summer and while pre-hydrating, better to stick to naproxen...and as little as possible. this is from a couple of tennis/doc buds of mine...
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
as much as i love ibuprofen like pez candy, it's harsher on the kidneys than naproxen...so as preventative, esp in summer and while pre-hydrating, better to stick to naproxen...and as little as possible. this is from a couple of tennis/doc buds of mine...

Is that due to the chemical itself? The dosage? The time it takes to release/get absorbed?
 

maggmaster

Hall of Fame
All NSAIDS, Naproxen and Iburpofen, block prostaglandins and can inhibit blood flow to the kidneys. They will all cause some kidney damage over time. If you can help it, don’t take them unless you are injured.
 

cha cha

Professional
I too have a friend whos preparation is based solely around ibuprofen. 65 and kicking.
I rest and eat the day before. And regrip. The grip must be immaculately white at all cost.
 

Johnny505

Semi-Pro
Don't eat pizza the day before, I did it once and never again, I couldn't be motivated to run for any balls and had to retire when trailing 0-6, 0-3
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Don't eat pizza the day before, I did it once and never again, I couldn't be motivated to run for any balls and had to retire when trailing 0-6, 0-3

Pizza is great prep food: carbs, fat, protein, traces of vegetables, cheese. The only thing that could improve it is a glass of red.

Now, one hour before is another matter...
 

Moon Shooter

Hall of Fame
Prior to the match, two advil up through the quarterfinals, and three advil in the semis and finals.

I too have a friend whos preparation is based solely around ibuprofen. 65 and kicking.
I rest and eat the day before. And regrip. The grip must be immaculately white at all cost.

Ibuprofen is key. Some days I can go without it but others I can't go with out it. And it is the days I can't go without it, that have taught me that Ibuprofen is key.
 

WhiteOut

Semi-Pro
Is that due to the chemical itself? The dosage? The time it takes to release/get absorbed?

cant recall exactly, but that's the general thrust i got from them. of course they said NO NSAID useage is better during stress of exercise/heat...the theory i recall them talking about is naproxen releases longer/slower, so during stress of exercise, when the system is trying to process the toxins out while also staying hydrated, it's less harsh on the system during this acute circumstance. dunno if that's true, but i can buy into that line of reasoning...
 
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