Is there a more glamorous sport in the world than Tennis ? Probably not. Tennis players have always played a major part in pop culture. The likes of Laver, Borg, Mcenroe and Agassi have had huge fan followings for their antics for as much as their antics on the pitch as off it. But did you know about their tennis superstitions ? Let us find out !
5) Serena Wiliams never changes her socks !
It is a common practice for all of us to change our pair of socks after every day. More so if you are a sports person who gets drenched in sweat in hot and humid weather.
But not if you are Serena Williams ! She wears the same pair of unwashed socks for every match. She if loses, only then will she change her pair !
Also, she insists on wearing shower sandals to the court and is very particular in tying her shoelaces in a specific manner.
It is tough to understand such tennis superstitions but then again you cannot really question her success can you ?
4) Maria Sharapova does not like to stand on court !
Fun Fact – Maria Sharapova hates standing on court lines. It leaves her with an odd and uneasy feeling. So she always follows a particular routine while serving:
- Turn back on opponents and focus on racquet strings.
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Take balls to nominated corner of the court.
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Walk to baseline, bounce on the spot.
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Brush hair away from face.
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Bounce ball twice, slowly.
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Serve
It is tough to understand such tennis superstitions but then again you cannot really question her success can you ?
3) Andre Agassi did not wear an underwear !
One from the past, Andre Agassi was never one short of controversies. He also had one of the weirdest superstitions you could think of.
In the 1999 French Open run he initially forgot his underwear for the first round match. He won that match and then decided not to break the streak.
He did not wear an underwear for the remainder of the tournament and went on to win the whole thing !
Many athletes have superstitions about clothes, facial hair, etc, but this definitely beats most superstitions. Agassi is also famed for making a ball person unwrap the new racquets he used.
2) Novak Djokovic always carries his Poodle !
One of the best players of this generations, Novak Djokovic has a weird routine if you may call it so.
When playing at Wimbledon, he insists his poodle travels with him. Also, as compared to many players Novak doesn’t like to use the same shower twice.
His ball bouncing obsession is also legendary! “My record was in 2007 during the Davis Cup against Australia. I made the ball bounce 38 or 39 times (before serving),” Novak said.
1) Rafael Nadal and his favorite water bottles !
Mr Nadal is our king of superstitions!
Before each match, he positions his water bottles. During the contest, he drinks from them in a certain order. Former professional John Lloyd once suggested that an opponent should “kick them over and see what happens”.
Very famously Rafa places his hair behind each ear and plays with his shorts before every serve.
He also makes sure his opponent crosses the net before he does on a changeover.
It is tough to understand such tennis superstitions but then again you cannot really question his success can you ?
