Sabalenka’s Sleep Strategy Powers US Open Success
Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, has faced the challenge of late-night matches and quick turnarounds at the US Open. Despite the demanding schedule, Sabalenka has managed to maintain her performance by relying on her strong circadian rhythm and prioritizing sleep.
After her third-round match against Ekaterina Alexandrova, which ended shortly after midnight, Sabalenka went straight to bed and slept for eight hours. She admitted that it was an unusual occurrence for her, but it allowed her to recover effectively.
“I was completely off,” Sabalenka said. “I just fall asleep, which usually never happens like that, but I was able to get, like, eight hours of sleep, so I was okay.”
Less than 48 hours later, Sabalenka faced Elise Mertens in the fourth round. Despite the short recovery time, she felt physically prepared for the match.
“I felt actually okay,” she said. “Even though we played three-sets match, but it was like an hour and 20 or 30 minutes, so it wasn’t that physical match.”
Sabalenka’s ability to recover quickly is crucial for her success in the tournament. She emphasized the importance of getting enough sleep, even if it means going to bed late.
“The main thing is that I’m really happy that I was able to sleep eight hours, which is, you know, not bad,” she said.
Sabalenka’s consistent performance at the US Open is a testament to her physical and mental resilience. She has embraced the challenges of the tournament and found ways to optimize her recovery. As she advances to the quarterfinals, she will aim to maintain her focus and continue her impressive run.
