Meet Jack Draper, the exciting new face of tennis. He most recently wrote about the mental and physical burdens that pro players experience. As an adult, he characterized himself as “a pretty nervous little animal.” This sentiment rings very true for most athletes in the sport. His experiences with nausea and vomiting, particularly during last year’s US Open semifinal against Jannik Sinner and his first-round match against Federico Agustín Gómez this year, highlight the intense pressures that players face.
Plus, the travel schedule for tennis players is grueling, with many players sometimes racking up more than 100,000 miles a year just to make it to competition. This always-on culture makes the inherent fatigue of constant travel physical and mental. This contributes to why the sport is one of the most physically challenging sports in the world.
The Mental and Physical Toll
For professional tennis players, these mental and physical challenges are coupled with the pressure of competition. Dr. Mark Kovacs, a sports scientist, asserts that tennis is one of the hardest sports to play professionally. He goes on to describe how the sport requires intense physical fitness, but even more than that, mental fortitude.
“If you look at the top of the rankings, you see the best athletes in general. You know, they’re also the best mentally as well. That’s what makes them the best.” – Dr. Mark Kovacs
Power profiler, coach, and racer Barbara Kovacs puts a premium on endurance and work capacity. Unlike many other team sports, players need a tremendous aerobic capacity to survive the rigors of five-set matches. Without these qualities, Pallotta explains, it’s almost impossible to get to that highest level of the sport.
“If you don’t have the endurance, the work capacity, you’re never going to be at the top of the game.” – Dr. Mark Kovacs
This mental fortitude is echoed by Alexandra Eala, who remarked on the necessity of focus and determination in achieving victory.
“I think that mental strength and that focus are the keys to coming out victorious.” – Alexandra Eala
The Physical Requirements of Tennis
The physical demands of tennis are uniquely extreme. Players must have enough leg strength to create serves that can exceed 140 miles per hour. This additional explosive power is essential for success at elite levels.
As Dr. Kovacs makes clear, tennis is not merely a marathon. It takes the sharp bursts of speed in all directions, repeated over the course of an entire game. Elite tennis players’ average VO2 max barely breaks the low 60s, similar to many elite soccer players.
“Low 60s is usually what we see, which is comparable to most soccer players… so they’re at the top tier.” – Dr. Mark Kovacs
The extended calendar of the tennis circuit makes that complicated as well. Athletes need to be in top physical form for an extended period of time. They accomplish all of this while battling it out in a gauntlet of high-pressure matches.
Profiles of Athletic Excellence
In examining current players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner serve as prime examples of contrasting styles among elite men’s tennis players. Their approaches to the game highlight the incredible variety of athletic talent that can flourish under the umbrella of a single sport.
Beyond tennis, Gauff proves herself to be one of the best, regardless of sport, overall athletes. Kovacs has remarked on her unparalleled talent, indicating she could thrive in a variety of athletic endeavors.
“Coco Gauff, who I’ve spent quite a bit of time with over the years, is one of the best overall athletes in any sport,” – Dr. Mark Kovacs
Frances Tiafoe expresses the same feelings when it comes to the hard things about being a pro in the tennis world.
“It’s the hardest sport in the world,” – Frances Tiafoe
Women’s tennis players are feeding the perception that they are all mentally tough, something Kovacs is keen on emphasizing. Their capacity to survive extreme, high-volume training and competition long serves as a testament to their grit and perseverance.
“Women’s tennis players because they’re tough as nails. They handle high, high volume.” – Dr. Mark Kovacs
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