Carlos Alcaraz was struggling. After playing sensationally in the second set against Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-final his body started to falter.
He is fast, agile and has the stamina to chase down lost balls in the blink of an eye. However, after two sets of intense tennis which saw him cover every inch of the Philippe Chatrier he had to slow down due to cramps.
What possibly could he have done to make a comeback? Well, he could have tried an unconventional therapy, namely the pickle juice to reduce the pain. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of pickle juice as a potential remedy for muscle cramps. While the exact mechanisms behind its effectiveness are not fully understood, several theories have been proposed.
MORE: Who are the highest ranked women's players?
Why is Pickle Juice effective against cramps?
The Sodium and Vinegar Theory:
One theory suggests that the sodium content in pickle juice, along with the vinegar, may help replenish electrolytes and prevent cramps. Electrolytes, such as sodium, play a crucial role in muscle function, and an imbalance can contribute to cramping.
The Oropharyngeal Reflex Theory:
Another study from 2010 proposed a different mechanism for pickle juice's potential benefits. This study found that pickle juice was able to shorten the duration of cramps, providing relief in approximately 1.5 minutes on average, which was 45 percent faster than no treatment. The researchers hypothesized that the sour taste of pickle juice might trigger an oropharyngeal reflex, distracting the brain from the cramp and inhibiting the firing of alpha motor neurons in the cramping muscle. In this theory, the flavour of the pickle juice, rather than the actual juice itself, may be responsible for relieving cramps.
What did Carlos Alcaraz say about his cramps?
“I would say the first set and the second set were really, really intense and I started to cramp in my arm. At the beginning of the third set I started to cramp every part of my body, not only the legs. The arms, as well, every part of the legs,” said Alcaraz to reporters after the match.
“The tension. The tension of the match. I started the match really nervous. The tension of the first set, the second set, it was a really intense two sets.”
Did Carlos Alcaraz suffer cramps earlier in his career?
Yes, the ace tennis player was also seen suffering from cramps in the third round of the 2021 US Open where he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a fifth-round tiebreaker.
What does the expert say about pickle juice's effectiveness?
Speaking to the BBC, Dr Mayur Ranchordas - a senior lecturer in sport nutrition and exercise metabolism at Sheffield Hallam University who also works with professional cyclists and Premier League footballers - has outlined the benefits of pickle juice.
"Pickle juice contains sodium, potassium and vinegar and the obvious conclusion would be that it replaces sodium and salts lost when playing sport in a hot and humid environment like the Australian Open thus preventing cramping," said Dr Ranchordas.
"However, how it really works is that it triggers a reflex in the mouth which sends a signal to stop muscles from cramping. That's why it is drunk at the onset of cramps. It stops cramping 40% faster than drinking water."
To beat the sweltering Tokyo heat, the Indian women's hockey team also made the most of pickle juice.
“When it was back-to-back games, the girls would drink that after breakfast, or depending on when the game was. And then, at the onset of cramps they would have additional shots if required,” India’s strength and conditioning coach at the time, Wayne Lombard, to Indian Express.
Russia's Daniil Medvedev has also been spotted drinking this potion on several occasions to beat the heat and the resulting cramps.
Some even suggest that it is a cure for hangovers and also for good breath as it kills mouth bacteria.