By Mariantonietta Popolizio
Mentor: Monica Malfatti
Translation from Italian by Giorgia Zappa
Cover image credits: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
The Australian Open inaugurates the tennis season, but behind a thrilling atmosphere lies one of the most stressful tournaments of the circuit: a mix of extreme climate, expectations and a “lively” public puts the physical preparation of the players, and especially their mental endurance to the test.
When the environment has an effect on the tennis performance
The Australian Open is usually defined as “Happy Slam” for its festive and engaging atmosphere, which is able to attract an international public and make it one of the most loved tennis tournaments. But, together with these strengths, there are also important critical issues.
The most discussed one is heat: in January in Melbourne, it is full summer, with temperatures that go from 30 to 40 degrees, an elevated humidity, and concrete surfaces that take in heat and make the conditions of the game more difficult. The length of the matches, often as marathons, exposes athletes to cramps, dehydration, lapses in lucidity, and even important health problems.
It is not astonishing that, in 2018, Gaël Monfils and Novak Djokovic, defined the situations as “at the limit of playability”. In some editions there have even been some fires (in 2020), with a consequently worsening of the quality of air or violent storms which have put Melbourne Park structures under pressure. As a response, the organisers have introduced retractable roofs and the AO Heat Stress Scale, a 5 level scale thought to protect the health of the athletes.
However, the critical issue is not just a thermal one: suspension and postponed matches for bad weather and extreme temperatures usually result in matches contested until late nights, resulting in a “crowded” calendar, reduced recoveries and impractical schedules. What also plays an important role is a compromised sleep, already put to the test from long intercontinental travels and jet-lag, especially for those who come from Europe or North America.
Lastly, the influence of the Australian public plays an important role. Notoriously considered as a “lively” public, for some they represent an emotional push, but for others a threat to their focus, especially in decisive moments. In the last year, some athletes, such as Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, complained about continuous disturbances and provocations.
The psychological support: from an optional to a strategic necessity
Tennis is an individual sport: in times of trouble, the athletes are on their own. In contests such as the Australian Slam, the environmental harsh conditions, the media pressure and the weight of the event amplify stress and fragilities, making clear how, without adequate mental support, competing at these levels is becoming more complex. This is why, in the last few years, many players have decided to add to their team a mental coach. Someone who is always present, not just in case of emergency, and with whom preventive, ongoing or targeted work at specific stages of the season is made.
The areas of intervention of the sports psychologist in tennis are broad and cross-cutting: from stress and performance anxiety management, to visualisation (mental simulation), mindfulness (self-awareness) and goal-setting. Creating pre-game routines and using breath control techniques to face high heat, tension and moments of pressure. Particular attention is given to recentring protocols, fundamental for matches that take place in extreme climate and time conditions, and also to strategies which aim to transform the noise of the public from a potentially distracting to a resource.
However, the psychological work is not just about optimising performance. According to the experts, mental coaches help tennis athletes prevent burnouts and manage the emotional difficulties that emerge inside and outside the court. This helps develop resilience, concentration and mental continuity. Qualities which are decisive not only in long and high intensity tournaments such as Slam, but also to build stronger, more balanced and happily lived careers.
Melbourne as the mirror for change
In the last years, the Australian Open has been the stage for these stories of cultural evolution:
- Madison Keys recounted the therapeutic journey that led to the turning point, culminating in his Australian title victory in 2025.
- Rafael Nadal has highlighted many times the mental impact of the uncertainty associated with injuries (which he usually has experienced in Australia).
- Andrej Rublëv and Naomi Ōsaka admitted having difficulties managing the emotional overload and the media pressure, especially in big tournaments.
- Carlos Alcaraz underlined the effects of instability, separation from loved ones, and monotony.
- Jannik Sinner works with Doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli (Formula Medicine) to manage tension and on his self-awareness: key elements for his numerous successes, including his first Slam title, won in Australia in 2024.
To sum up, for a long time the mental component in tennis – and every sport – has been considered a secondary aspect: training it was seen as a sign of weakness. Today, this view is being overthrown: in a sport more and more competitive and exhausting, the real difference lies in the ability to know oneself, manage oneself and hold on.