The Secret to Jannik Sinner’s Success: Prioritising Recovery and Play
In a shocking move, tennis pro Jannik Sinner chose to prioritise his personal life over intense training after losing a grueling five-set final at the 2025 French Open. According to an article by Psychology Today, Sinner decided to take a break and spend time with his family and friends, rather than rushing back to training. This decision may seem counterintuitive, but it highlights the importance of recovery and play in achieving optimal performance.
As Psychology Today reports, Sinner’s approach to recovery is rooted in the understanding that performance is not just a mental game, but a conversation between the body and mind. "I was very relaxed with my family," Sinner shared with Psychology Today. "We grilled a bit, played table tennis with my friends… really normal things. I feel safe at home and with my friends. They know how I am, and how I was before." This sense of safety and familiarity allowed Sinner’s body to shift out of a state of protection and into a state of play.
The Physiology of Recovery
The concept of recovery is often misunderstood as simply taking time off, but it’s much more complex than that. According to Psychology Today, recovery is about reconnecting with the people, places, and rhythms that our nervous system recognises as reliable and reassuring. When Sinner went home, he wasn’t just disconnecting from tennis – he was giving his body permission to come out of defence. He was surrounded by the faces and spaces that helped restore a felt sense of safety, trust, and belonging.
As Psychology Today notes, a nervous system in protection may still perform, but not optimally. Threat states burn energy faster, narrow attention, reduce flexibility, and disconnect us from others. The attributes that support peak performance – rhythm, composure, collaboration, and creativity – become harder to access. By prioritising recovery and reconnecting with his support network, Sinner was able to shift his body into a state of play, characterised by rhythmic breath, fluid movement, and a relaxed tone.
The State of Play
The "state of play" is a physiological condition that is essential for optimal performance. According to Psychology Today, it’s where breath is rhythmic, not rushed, and heart rate variability is flexible, not fixed. It’s where facial expression, vocal tone, and movement signal accessibility, not fear, doubt, or stress. In this state, we don’t just "get over" pressure – we play through it. Play trains our nervous system to stay flexible in the face of intensity, allowing us to move through challenges without disconnecting from ourselves or others.
As Psychology Today highlights, many of us are taught to get tougher, both physically and mentally, and to see the world as a battleground. Success becomes about outlasting, outcompeting, and outperforming. Trust is seen as weak. Others are threats. However, this culture of competition and comparison locks us into patterns of protection. By prioritising play and recovery, Sinner was able to tap into a deeper level of performance, one that was characterised by trust, connection, and a sense of safety.
The Benefits of Prioritising Play
By prioritising play and recovery, Sinner was able to achieve a level of performance that was not just about winning, but about being fully immersed in the game. As Psychology Today notes, this approach to performance is not just relevant for tennis players, but for anyone looking to achieve optimal performance in their field. By recognising the importance of recovery, play, and trust, we can unlock a deeper level of performance, one that is characterised by flexibility, adaptability, and a sense of connection to ourselves and others.
In conclusion, Jannik Sinner’s decision to prioritise recovery and play over intense training is a testament to the importance of taking a holistic approach to performance. As Psychology Today highlights, by prioritising his personal life and reconnecting with his support network, Sinner was able to tap into a deeper level of performance, one that was characterised by trust, connection, and a sense of safety. As we strive to achieve optimal performance in our own lives, we would do well to take a page out of Sinner’s book and prioritise recovery, play, and trust.
