Sloane Stephens is currently working with LISTERINE’s #HealthySmiles program, which will donate $2 for every tweet with a smile emoticon and the hashtag #HealthySmiles. The money will go to Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America program, which increases access to dental care for kids in need. Credit: Getty Images
These US Open stars share their best diet and fitness secrets with us.
James Blake (USA)
Get your sleep
“I think being on the road and traveling as much as we do, it’s tough with the jet lag and going into the times zones, but you’ve gotta find a way to get your eight hours at least. And when you do that you’re usually gonna eat better.”
Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia)
Go all out
“It’s good to feel dead after a fitness practice — not dead but completely exhausted because sore body today, stronger body tomorrow. There are sometimes you think it’s too hard, it’s too heavy, but it will for sure pay off later on.”
Jelena Jankovic (Serbia)
Use your own body
“I always do lots of exercises with my own body weight, like lunges, pushups, pull-ups, things like that.”
Sloane Stephens (USA)
Stretch correctly
“It is a major disappointment if an injury keeps you from playing your best, or at all. I use stretching to minimize that risk. Before a game I like to get my blood pumping, so I do some really active stretching, like jumping from one leg to the next as I stretch out my inner thighs, or bouncing on my tippy toes to stretch out my calves. Post-game it is more important to rid your muscles of lactic acid, so my stretching is not as active and helps my muscles cool down. Most stretches I do after the game include me standing still while working out my muscles.”
Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)
Drink a lot of water
“I think it’s very important to hydrate — it helps the body, helps the skin and it’s good for you.”
Ana Ivanovic (Serbia)
Get on your feet
“I enjoy running rather than weights — I don’t like weights so much. [People who don’t like to run] can always find a good running partner so they can chat about stuff or listen to music. Biking is another good way to get around, also fast walking — even just going window shopping with fast walking, at least it’s something that’s fun.”
