Sleep Patterns Alterations in Professional Tennis Players

Sleep is a fundamental physiological process for maintaining physical health, cognitive function and overall wellbeing. For athletes, its restorative properties are essential for optimal recovery and performance. Emerging evidence highlights the intricate relationship between circadian rhythms, recovery processes and sport-specific performance outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the sleep quality and characteristics of professional tennis players, and how sleep patterns and circadian rhythms might influence athletic performance and wellbeing. Twenty professional tennis players (10 men, 10 women; mean age: 27.6 ± 6.06 years) were recruited through the Italian Tennis Federation during competitions in Tallinn, Estonia and Tirrenia, Italy. Sleep quality and disturbances were assessed using validated questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, insomnia severity index, morningness-eveningness questionnaire and Ford insomnia response to stress test. Descriptive and t-test analyses were performed. Poor sleep quality was prevalent among professional tennis players, with gender differences suggesting worse outcomes for women. Despite the absence of clinical insomnia, subjective dissatisfaction and high stress-related sleep reactivity may negatively impact recovery and performance. The predominance of morning chronotypes aligns with structured training schedules, highlighting the potential benefits of aligning sleep strategies with circadian preferences. Professional tennis players face significant challenges related to sleep quality and stress-induced disturbances, emphasising the need for targeted interventions. Tailored approaches focusing on sleep hygiene, stress management, and chronotype-aligned schedules may enhance recovery, performance and wellbeing. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore the dynamic relationships between sleep, performance and circadian alignment.