Yet what happens in the locker room, where access is restricted to players and coaches only and where the big stars vie for supremacy, is almost as important as what happens on court.
“There is such a thing as locker room power,” former British Davis Cup player Arvind Parmar told CNN Sport.
Players on a hot streak “can build a reputation amongst their peers that they’re a man in form,” said Parmar, who retired in 2006 after a decade on the men’s tour and now works as a coach and broadcaster.
Take Rafael Nadal, the odds-on favorite to win an unprecedented 10th French Open title after a 17-1 run on the red clay this spring in Europe. The aura is back.
“Right now he has a huge amount of locker room power in the fact that if you were drawn against him, he is already a break up in both sets,” said Parmar.
“It’s pretty intimidating knowing you’ve got to play one of the top guys who are in form like Nadal at the moment. Psychologically, there is a huge advantage to have,” he added.