Spectators at this year's US Open in Queens are accustomed to seeing players reach for water or sports drinks during changeovers. This week, several athletes have been spotted drinking straight pickle juice courtside. The practice, intended to combat muscle cramps, has gained traction as matches stretch into the late afternoon and early evening, with humid conditions lingering over Flushing Meadows.
A 16-ounce bottle of pickle juice retails for about $4 at nearby bodegas, compared to $8 for a Honey Deuce cocktail inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Trainers on site say the briny liquid helps replenish sodium and electrolytes lost in sweat, and can offer faster relief than water alone. One physical therapist, working with a seeded doubles team, described it as a 'last-resort fix' for players struggling late in a match.
Lines for soft drinks and cocktails remain steady, especially during the prime-time sessions. But the sight of athletes sipping from unmarked green bottles has drawn comment from fans and television analysts. Vendors near the subway entrance reported a small uptick in pickle juice sales over the weekend, as curious attendees looked to try the trend themselves.
This hydration strategy is not new to some in the endurance sports world, but its visible adoption at a marquee New York event has brought renewed attention. With quarterfinals scheduled through the rest of this week, trainers expect pickle juice to remain a fixture on and off the court.