American tennis players Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are preparing for a high-stakes semifinal match at the US Open following exhaustive quarterfinal contests. Both athletes endured nearly four and a half hours on court, but Shelton faced additional challenges after his five-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz concluded at 3:33 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

Shelton’s recovery process began immediately after his late-night win. According to his strength and conditioning coach, Gabriel Echevarria, the team prioritized replenishing fluids and nutrients through high-calorie protein shakes and hydration. A cool-down routine involving light exercise helped clear lactic acid buildup in Shelton’s muscles. Given the cooler evening temperatures, the team opted against an ice bath, typically a recovery staple under extreme conditions. To prevent muscle stiffness during the 25- to 45-minute journey back to Midtown Manhattan from Queens, Shelton received treatment on-site before commuting to his hotel.

Echevarria explained that their post-match protocol includes breathing exercises to calm the central nervous system, followed by active and passive stretching and physiotherapy. Nutrition is carefully managed, with light protein sources such as white fish or chicken combined with low-glycemic carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and rice, avoiding heavy or highly processed foods that could disrupt sleep. Shelton began eating again during the car ride, maintaining a focus on easily digestible meals to promote restful sleep despite the late hour.

Frances Tiafoe’s team employs a comparable strategy, emphasizing rapid calorie replacement—up to 2,000 calories within the first hour after play—alongside rehydration, as players can lose significant fluid volume during matches. Dr. Mark Kovacs, a performance expert working with Tiafoe, stresses the importance of individualized nutrition and hydration plans, often guided by regular blood analyses to optimize recovery and performance.

Beyond nutrition, both players engage in extensive treatment sessions lasting from 90 minutes to two hours after matches, targeting muscle tightness and encouraging blood flow for tissue repair. Techniques include dry needling, cupping, electrical muscle stimulation, and compression therapy. Shelton’s regimen also incorporates soft tissue treatment, brief active recovery workouts focused on mobility, and controlled use of infrared saunas and recovery beds available at the US Open venue.

Shelton’s late conclusion disrupted his sleep schedule, necessitating strategic naps the following day to aid recuperation. Both he and Tiafoe benefited from an extra rest day ahead of their semifinal meeting. Kovacs noted that players typically use practice sessions before such matches to prepare specific tactical approaches against their opponents.

This semifinal encounter marks a continuation of a recent rivalry; in their last US Open meeting in 2024, Tiafoe prevailed after a grueling five-set match lasting over four hours. With both players striving to overcome fatigue and maintain peak condition, their impending match promises intense physical and mental competition.