Australian Open 2026: The grueling task of managing jet lag for tennis players.
As the world's top tennis stars gather in Melbourne, many are aware that one challenge stands out above the rest - beating the clock. Anyone who has ever travelled across multiple time zones knows how devilish the effects can be on the human body. Even professional athletes, renowned for their endurance and agility, suffer from fatigue, broken sleep, and acclimatization just like the general population.
To manage jet lag, players try a variety of strategies. Novak Djokovic, known for his meticulous attention to detail, chooses to "over-hydrate" on flights by adding lemon, mint, and salt to his water. Upon arrival at the hotel, he takes time to ground himself with bare feet on natural earth, followed by a hot bath with Epsom salts. He then attempts to watch the sunrise on his first morning to reset his brain.
Other players resort to more unconventional methods. Iga Swiatek, six-time Grand Slam champion, prefers a more natural approach. She wakes up naturally, drawn in by sunlight from her European home, and finds it "totally fine" since she usually arrives at the Australian Open in late November or December. However, some tennis players face problems when they wake up too early. Schoolkate, ranked 97th in the world, has taken to playing on court despite feeling unwell due to his limited financial resources and ranking points.
However, this grueling task of managing jet lag is not only a personal challenge but also a physical one for athletes. Travelling long distances and different air pressures can cause dehydration and inflammation, increasing the risk of injury. According to sports scientist Stephen Smith, players who show up after long journeys with poor sleep are more likely to be fatigued, making them predisposed to injury.
As the world's top tennis stars gather in Melbourne, many are aware that one challenge stands out above the rest - beating the clock. Anyone who has ever travelled across multiple time zones knows how devilish the effects can be on the human body. Even professional athletes, renowned for their endurance and agility, suffer from fatigue, broken sleep, and acclimatization just like the general population.
To manage jet lag, players try a variety of strategies. Novak Djokovic, known for his meticulous attention to detail, chooses to "over-hydrate" on flights by adding lemon, mint, and salt to his water. Upon arrival at the hotel, he takes time to ground himself with bare feet on natural earth, followed by a hot bath with Epsom salts. He then attempts to watch the sunrise on his first morning to reset his brain.
Other players resort to more unconventional methods. Iga Swiatek, six-time Grand Slam champion, prefers a more natural approach. She wakes up naturally, drawn in by sunlight from her European home, and finds it "totally fine" since she usually arrives at the Australian Open in late November or December. However, some tennis players face problems when they wake up too early. Schoolkate, ranked 97th in the world, has taken to playing on court despite feeling unwell due to his limited financial resources and ranking points.
However, this grueling task of managing jet lag is not only a personal challenge but also a physical one for athletes. Travelling long distances and different air pressures can cause dehydration and inflammation, increasing the risk of injury. According to sports scientist Stephen Smith, players who show up after long journeys with poor sleep are more likely to be fatigued, making them predisposed to injury.
I feel so bad for these tennis players! They're already super fit and all, but dealing with jet lag on top of playing the most physically demanding sport out there? It's like adding an extra level of pressure to their lives. And it's not just about getting tired, it can lead to actual injuries too 
I mean, who wouldn't feel off when you're traveling across time zones and your body is all out of whack? 
. But hey, I guess it's all part of being a pro athlete and dealing with the little things, right? 
i wish i could just add lemon and mint to my water and have a hot bath whenever im feeling tired 
. I think it's kinda cool that some of them are trying out these weird methods to try and combat it, but at the same time, I get why others might need a more conventional approach 
... gotta feel sorry for Schoolkate, though - poor guy doesn't have any financial resources to take care of himself 
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. I think it's crazy that some players just wing it (no pun intended) and try to power through despite feeling rubbish 
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It's no wonder some players are taking unconventional methods – like Schoolkate, who can't afford to take a day off 
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. And it's interesting that one player, Schoolkate, has to deal with financial stress and ranking points too... can you imagine having to rush back to training just because of some ranking points? 
It's a tough life for these athletes, and I'm not sure how they do it. But hey, at least they're pros, right? 
. And don't even get me started on the physical effects - dehydration and inflammation can lead to some serious injuries. It's just not worth it, you know? 
(I mean, Epsom salts in a hot bath? Yes, please 
). But what's crazy is how much it affects their physical health too - dehydration, inflammation... 
. I think the key is to find what works for each individual and stick to it 
. But for real though, can't they just take a nap or something? 
. And honestly, I'm surprised more players don't use melatonin supplements to help with sleep... it could be a lifesaver during these long tournaments 
.