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Follow Noah on Instagram, @NoahRubin33, for fitness inspiration, the latest on his matches and the occasional obscure movie line.
No one prepares for success quite like a professional athlete. They're all about putting in the work, visualizing their goals and dedicating themselves to their craft. Just ask Noah Rubin, the 22-year-old rising star of the tennis world. After turning pro at the age of 19, he's cemented himself as the one to watch, thanks to both his tenacity on the court as well as his confidence and determination. Case in point: when Rubin went up against No. 2-seeded John Isner back in August, his right sneaker fell apart during a point in the second set and he still managed to keep his head in the game and beat Isner. This has been Rubin's first full year on the ATP tour and he's quickly risen 123 spots. So how does he start his day? We caught up with him in between practice and jetting off to the Australian Open to find out.
Follow Noah on Instagram, @NoahRubin33, for fitness inspiration, the latest on his matches and the occasional obscure movie line.
The Series
Those moments between turning off the alarm and getting into our work routine can be the most defining 60 minutes of our day. Benjamin Franklin set a day's worth of plans by 5 am and Steve Jobs asked a simple question: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" Our rituals are a reflection of us. So we've ventured out to discover how some of our most influential and fruitful peers get started.
My Routine
I usually wake up around 8 or 8:30.
But it all depends on my schedule. During preseason, I consistently wake up at 5:30 am for training which, I'll be honest, stings a little.
Sleep is important though.
To give myself the best chance at success, l give myself eight to nine hours of solid sleep a night.
As soon as I'm awake, I'll check my phone.
Pull up my social media accounts and then I always text my girlfriend good morning. Finally I'll call my agent to get on top of the things we need to accomplish that day or week.
Before I hop in the shower, I try to get in some breathing exercises.
It's a simple way to meditate in order to get myself in the right mindset. I take deep, abdominal breaths in and hold it for a few counts and then exhale slowly through my mouth. It helps me start my day focused or understand my surroundings when I'm traveling.
I'll also open my journal and jot down some plans.
I use it as a calendar and a notebook. It's a good way to sent your intentions or work through a few thoughts. I'm old school so I still do this by putting pen to paper.
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I try to keep my routine the same, day to day.
I think it keeps you on track and besides, I have the same things to accomplish no matter where I am in the world.
I am not a huge fan of the typical breakfast.
I never truly enjoyed eggs or omelets. Instead, I prefer rotisserie chicken or cold cuts, like turkey. I'll have that with a side of quinoa and a few slices of avocado.
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I don't drink coffee either.
Actually, I am more of a smoothie/juice kind of guy. Sometimes I grab a juice on the go, but when I'm feeling confident and have the time, I'll make my go-to smoothie at the house.
Make Noah's Smoothie
“I don't really measure anything out. I usually start with a heavy pour of orange juice and a splash of lactose free milk. Then I toss in a bunch of kale and spinach along with some frozen blueberries, strawberries and mango. It's got all you need.”
I'm not a big shaver.
When I trim my beard, I use a razor to define the lines and then an electric trimmer to try to maintain the right length. I recently shaved my face in full for the first time in five years because my girlfriend wanted to see what I "actually" looked like! But I don't think I'll be doing it again for a while.
Getting dressed is easy when it comes to tennis.
K-Swiss keeps me stocked, so I'll find the K-Swiss outfit I want to wear that day and then slip on a K-Swiss warmup on top of it. When it comes to off days, it gets a little more tricky, as I have a lot of options. I don't get a lot of time to shop, so my excursions to the outlets, once a year, can get a bit carried away.
I never leave home or my hotel room without a bag.
Usually stocked with extra Solinco strings, my lacrosse ball for foam rolling and an extra pair of contacts. Then, of course, my journal, wallet and phone. And I don't go anywhere without putting on this silver bracelet—given to me by my girlfriend—which has become something of a good luck charm for me.
