Cincinnati and the US Open: Two Tournaments, Two Different Objectives

Not every tournament carries the same importance within a player’s competitive plan. Some tournaments are the final destination; others, regardless of their prestige, are part of the preparation for a greater objective.

Cincinnati and the US Open are perfect examples. Cincinnati is one of the most important tournaments on the ATP and WTA calendars, but for many players, it also serves as the final competitive preparation before the US Open. In 2026, Cincinnati ends on August 23, while the US Open main draw begins on August 30. That leaves very little time to recover, make adjustments, and prepare for the physical and mental demands of a Grand Slam.

Photo credit: Mauricio Paiz

The player should arrive in Cincinnati physically prepared and competitively sharp, but not necessarily at their absolute peak. The tournament provides an opportunity to adapt to the hard courts, regain match rhythm, test tactical patterns, and identify the final details that need attention. The result matters, but it should not compromise the primary objective.

After Cincinnati, the training plan must depend on how far the player advanced. A player who loses early may need a few controlled training sessions to maintain rhythm. A player who reaches the semifinals or final will need considerably more recovery. The mistake would be giving both players the same program.

Photo credit: Mauricio Paiz

During the days before the US Open, training volume should decrease while intensity remains high. Sessions should be shorter, purposeful, and focused on serving, returning, movement, and the tactical patterns the player will need in competition. Sleep, nutrition, hydration, physiotherapy, and mental recovery become just as important as time on the court.

The objective is not to peak twice. It is to use Cincinnati as part of the process that allows the player to reach their highest level at the US Open. A well-planned preparation respects both tournaments but clearly identifies where the athlete must be at their absolute best.

Photo credit: © Rolex/Jon Buckle

Great preparation is not simply about working harder. It is about understanding when to build, when to compete, and—most importantly—when to recover so the athlete can perform at their highest level when it matters most.

Photo credit: © Rolex/Jon Buckle

TAPERING: ARRIVING READY TO PERFORM

Everyone understands the importance of work ethic and the relationship between training hours, sacrifice, and results. In fact, many people mistakenly believe that the athlete who trains the longest will improve the most. But this is not necessarily true. Progress depends on how well each player absorbs and responds to training.

Pete Sampras trained in two-hour blocks, while Andre Agassi preferred 90-minute sessions. Both became great champions. Manipulating training volume and intensity is highly individual; what works for one player may not work for another.

Every coach and athlete knows that the goal is to arrive at a competition in the best possible condition. Months of preparation will ultimately be tested under the pressure of competition, and every athlete hopes to perform at the peak of their abilities.

Photo credit: © Rolex/Jon Buckle

Yet one of the most common mistakes is arriving with residual fatigue. In the days leading up to a tournament, players who do not feel confident about their game often believe they must train longer and harder. I have even seen players return to the practice court after an exhausting match because they were unhappy with their performance.

This is completely counterproductive. If a player has had sufficient time to prepare physically, technically, and psychologically, they will not dramatically raise their level during the final week before competition. Trying to do so usually has the opposite effect. Those players arrive physically depleted. They may perform well for one or two matches, but eventually, the accumulated fatigue catches up with them.

Tapering is therefore a vital part of the periodization and planning of every high-performance athlete. The objective is to gradually reduce training volume while maintaining intensity. The exact formula depends on the individual player. Some athletes need three days of reduced workload, while others may need seven or more.

To understand each player’s needs, coaches must maintain detailed records of training loads, recovery, physical condition, and competitive performance. Over time, this information reveals the tapering strategy that allows the athlete to arrive at competition feeling sharp, strong, confident, and mentally fresh.

Tapering is the final fine-tuning of the athlete. The work has already been done; this is not the moment to build more—it is the moment to allow the body and mind to absorb the preparation. When tapering is managed correctly, fatigue disappears without sacrificing intensity, and the player arrives ready to access the higher level of performance that competition demands.

Ultimately, championships are not won by the athlete who trains the most during the final week. They are won by the athlete who arrives most prepared to perform when it matters. Tapering does not reduce preparation—it completes it.

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Written by RPS Academies CEO and legendary coach Gabe Jaramillio. Top photo credit: Mauricio Paiz & © Rolex/Jon Buckle

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