WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Video
This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Serena Williams And Coco Gauff's Choreographed Dance Is Friggin Phenom

Serena Williams And Coco Gauff's Choreographed Dance Is Friggin Phenom

Tennis Star Ash Barty Shares Her Winning Training Regime

Tennis Star Ash Barty Shares Her Winning Training Regime

Serena Williams' One-Legged Catsuit Is More Iconic Than It Seems

Serena Williams' One-Legged Catsuit Is More Iconic Than It Seems

Kim Clijsters Has Made Her Tennis Comeback After a 7-Year Hiatus

Kim Clijsters Has Made Her Tennis Comeback After a 7-Year Hiatus

{headline}

{headline}

3 Life Lessons We Can Learn From The Biggest Stars In Tennis

3 Life Lessons We Can Learn From The Biggest Stars In Tennis

Tennis Player Pulls Out Of Aussie Open After Coughing Fit Induced By Bushfire Smoke

Tennis Player Pulls Out Of Aussie Open After Coughing Fit Induced By Bushfire Smoke

Why We’re Obsessed With This Moment Between Naomi Osaka and Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff At The U.S. Open

Why We’re Obsessed With This Moment Between Naomi Osaka and Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff At The U.S. Open

{headline}

{headline}

Hilarious Video Shows Serena Williams Owning Three Guys In A Game Of Tennis

Hilarious Video Shows Serena Williams Owning Three Guys In A Game Of Tennis

Ash Barty Cops New Snub From Wimbledon Officials

Ash Barty Cops New Snub From Wimbledon Officials

Ash Barty Opens Up About Career-Threatening Mental Health Battle

Ash Barty Opens Up About Career-Threatening Mental Health Battle

Ash Barty Is The First Australian Woman In 46 Years To Win The French Open

Ash Barty Is The First Australian Woman In 46 Years To Win The French Open

Fans Slam Ash Barty's 'Sexist' Semi-Final Snub

Fans Slam Ash Barty's 'Sexist' Semi-Final Snub

Serena Williams Just Marked Another Major Career Milestone

Serena Williams Just Marked Another Major Career Milestone

Serena Williams Just Broke Major Protocol With Her French Open Outfit

Serena Williams Just Broke Major Protocol With Her French Open Outfit

  1. Home
  2. Women In Sport

How Rising Star Astra Sharma Is Preparing For The Aus Open

"A big key for me is being really gentle with myself and accepting mistakes are part of a growth mindset." - by Lauren Williamson
  • 21 Jan 2020
How Rising Star Astra Sharma Is Preparing For The Aus Open
Getty Images

Want to be one of those smug types who knew all about so-and-so before they got big? Well, now's the time to get across (and behind) rising star Astra Sharma. Actually, you might already be jumping on the 24-year-old's rocketing talent a little too late. 2019 was a huge year for the Singapore-born, Western Australian who began ranked 231 in the world before peaking at 85 in June. She rounded off a successful year in the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open main draws, with a spot in Australia's Fed Cup team. 

Now, Australia's number four is a wildcard entry to the 2020 Australian Open and we spoke to her in the lead up about her training regime, how she handles nerves and why napping is a key part of success.

How are you feeling physically and mentally in the lead up to the Australian Open?

I feel great both physically and mentally. I did a lot of work in the off season to get myself fit and healthy, it was an important time I think that sets the tone for the year.

Do you still get nervous before big events? How do you work on your mental strength?

Yes, I definitely still get nervous, I think it means a lot and so nerves would be normal. I do a lot of meditation, and I try and be really honest about my feelings and my actions so that I can cut through to the source of problems or positives. A big key for me is being really gentle with myself and accepting mistakes are part of a growth mindset. 

RELATED: 3 Life Lessons We Can Learn From The Biggest Stars In Tennis

astrasharma View Profile
752 likes - View Post on Instagram
Pretty sure I've never gotten so low for a shot 🤔 Didn't quite get the result in singles today but onto the doubles! #grassburn #savetheknees #wimbledon2019

What does playing at the Australian Open mean to you?

It’s my favourite tournament. Playing at home in front of friends and family, it can’t get any better.

Do you have any pre-comp rituals?

Rituals not really. Life on the road gets really hectic and I don’t like being dependent on things that could change and disrupt me.

How did you get started in tennis? When did you realise you wanted to play professionally?

My parents played and used to take my brother and I to the courts when we were little, and we’d end up kicking around with each other. I only realised I wanted to play professionally around 16 or 17.

RELATED: Tennis Star Ash Barty Shares Her Winning Training Regime

astrasharma View Profile
603 likes - View Post on Instagram
Fed cup week has been an absolute blast but it's finally match day tomorrow with the Green & Gold 💚💛taking on the USA... Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 #greenandgold #fedcup #teamoz

What does a regular week of training look like for you?

So in my off season a regular weeks was four gym sessions, three to four conditioning sessions, two to four hours of play per day depending and one rest day at the end of the week.

What practices or habits outside of physical training help with your performance?

I put a big emphasis on my sleep. I know there’s a huge correlation to performance and recovery. So I try to sleep early and get lots naps in.

What does a regular day on a plate look like for you?

Breakfast will be toast and a spread of some sort, (vegemite, peanut butter..depends on what I’m feeling), with eggs, avocado if it’s available and some sort of yoghurt or milk. Lunch and dinner are really similar, a protein, vegetable and rice/ a pasta with salad.

Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is the Digital Content Manager for Women's Health and Men's Health. She's an experienced journalist, editor and social media fiend who's well versed in reporting on everything from food trends to fitness, health news to haircare. She has a double degree in Journalism and Political Science.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Serena Williams And Coco Gauff's Choreographed Dance Is Friggin Phenom

Serena Williams And Coco Gauff's Choreographed Dance Is Friggin Phenom

Tennis Star Ash Barty Shares Her Winning Training Regime

Tennis Star Ash Barty Shares Her Winning Training Regime

Serena Williams' One-Legged Catsuit Is More Iconic Than It Seems

Serena Williams' One-Legged Catsuit Is More Iconic Than It Seems

Kim Clijsters Has Made Her Tennis Comeback After a 7-Year Hiatus

Kim Clijsters Has Made Her Tennis Comeback After a 7-Year Hiatus

{headline}

{headline}

3 Life Lessons We Can Learn From The Biggest Stars In Tennis

3 Life Lessons We Can Learn From The Biggest Stars In Tennis

Tennis Player Pulls Out Of Aussie Open After Coughing Fit Induced By Bushfire Smoke

Tennis Player Pulls Out Of Aussie Open After Coughing Fit Induced By Bushfire Smoke

Why We’re Obsessed With This Moment Between Naomi Osaka and Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff At The U.S. Open

Why We’re Obsessed With This Moment Between Naomi Osaka and Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff At The U.S. Open

{headline}

{headline}

Hilarious Video Shows Serena Williams Owning Three Guys In A Game Of Tennis

Hilarious Video Shows Serena Williams Owning Three Guys In A Game Of Tennis

Ash Barty Cops New Snub From Wimbledon Officials

Ash Barty Cops New Snub From Wimbledon Officials

Ash Barty Opens Up About Career-Threatening Mental Health Battle

Ash Barty Opens Up About Career-Threatening Mental Health Battle

Ash Barty Is The First Australian Woman In 46 Years To Win The French Open

Ash Barty Is The First Australian Woman In 46 Years To Win The French Open

Fans Slam Ash Barty's 'Sexist' Semi-Final Snub

Fans Slam Ash Barty's 'Sexist' Semi-Final Snub

Serena Williams Just Marked Another Major Career Milestone

Serena Williams Just Marked Another Major Career Milestone

Serena Williams Just Broke Major Protocol With Her French Open Outfit

Serena Williams Just Broke Major Protocol With Her French Open Outfit

WomensHealth
  • About Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to Digital
  • About Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to Digital

Brands

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
  • Men’s Health
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now