“Ball between the legs, Same shower gel” – Tennis stars Djokovic, Kyrgios and others talk about their superstitions

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5 years ago

Many tennis players, however, prefer to not call it superstition but rather as routines

Superstitions are nothing new in sport and so it is in the case of tennis with many stars having their own weird customs.

There is no denying the fact that talent and hard work ultimately leads to success. However, players for centuries have been carrying out some superstitions – which many dispel as weird habits.

For years, tennis players have been practicing certain superstitions that they feel helps them to get into a rhythm during encounters. (Getty Images)

However, these matter to the players and when they excel at the highest of stages, we tend to accept them over time than dismissing them as strange.

Now let’s take a look at some of the weirdest superstitions, rituals, and practices carried out by some of the active players in the ATP circuit.

American John Isner has the habit of bouncing the ball in-between his legs before going for a serve.

Though many may consider it as a ritual, Isner feels that it is not a conscious habit and is something that helps him get into a good rhythm while playing.

“A habit of mine is before I serve, everyone knows I bounce the ball between my legs and that’s one of those things that I don’t think about at all. It’s not a conscious thing I’m doing. I just know that it gets me in a good rhythm and especially a good service rhythm,” Isner said.

Canadian Denis Shapovalov too like Isner has a similar habit of bouncing the ball between his legs and he believes that it gives his body and mind a certain kind of calmness.

Djokovic prefers to call superstitions his routine

Meanwhile, World No.1 Novak Djokovic has his own share of superstitions that he prefers to call as routines.

Novak Djokovic taking a break by closing his eyes during an encounter. (Getty Images)

The Serbian likes to spend time by himself, meditate and do conscious breathing techniques before a match in order to help him get into his own zone and analyse his opponents.

Others such as David Goffin, Grigor Dimitrov, and Fabio Fogini share a rather similar habit. They all like to use the same shower while ‘Next Gen’ star Alexander Zverev has an entirely different superstition. He likes to kiss his two dogs Junior and Luvik before entering any match.

Alexander Zverev of Germany kisses his dog during the Nitto ATP Finals in 2018. (Getty Images)

Swiss star Stan Wawrinka, meanwhile, said that he does not have any particular superstition but loves to listen to music and have a little bit of talk with his coach before a game.