They are stars in the courts. Their places in the world rankings always fluctuate in first positions. However, they are fragile human beings, that before any hard situation, they can lose concentration that can cost them their place in a Grand Slam.
That’s why, even the best players in the world have their own cabals, to ensure them more security and self-control.
For example, the several Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams, takes her shoes to court and has a particular way of tying the shoelaces. In other case, Rafael Nadal, world’s Nº 1, fixes his underwear and always ensures that the opponent first crossing the network side changes, among other “tricks.”
The number two in the world, Novak Djokovic takes, in every Wimbledon, his white poodle, Pierre. Unlike many players, the Serbian does not like to use the same locker room shower twice, and has an obsession of dribbling the ball before serving. “My record was in 2007, during a Davis Cup before Australia. I dribble the ball 38 or 39 times,” said Novak.
Roger Federer, is obsessed number 8. He performs eight Aces during workout before the match, rubbed his hands with a towel eight times at the end of each set, always has eight water bottles and has eight rackets.
His friend, Juan Martin del Potro lifts the left side of his pants while waiting the service of his oponent. Instead, the Uzbek Denis Istomin, who changes his ballboy each time he lose a point.
Frenchman Richard Gasquet, every time he gets the point, he usses the same ball until ehe fails.
Maria Sharapova never steps strapping between points. Another big player is Svetlana Kuznetsova, who makes a 360 degree turn on her own axis when she’s going to return the service. Sounds ridiculous, but she does not care. Dominika Cibulkova seems to kiss the balls before drawing, but she clarifies that she only smells it: ” I love the smell, then I think that smell will bring me luck.”
