Scrambled eggs, ice baths, Wikipedia: Hance at home in Australian heat
Soaring temperatures have been a feature of the Australian Open with heat policies enacted and start times for junior matches brought forward to ensure player safety.
With play getting underway at 9am on Tuesday, that meant a change to the expected schedule for the stars of tomorrow who are competing at the Australian Open Junior Championships.
One of those is junior world No. 8 Keaton Hance of the United States, who is making his Australian Open debut and is through to the third round following a 6-4 4-6 6-2 triumph over Great Britain’s Mark Ceban.
His latest success ensured the 17-year-old Californian equalled his previous best Junior Grand Slam performance, which came at the 2025 Junior Championships, Wimbledon, where he bowed out to eventual semi-finalist Alexander Vasilev.
Victory over Italy’s Simone Massellani, a player sitting 29 places below him in the ITF World Tennis Tour boys’ rankings, would see Hance enter uncharted territory and reach a Junior Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time.
There may be some uncertainty and newness to both his schedule and his output in Melbourne, but there are things which are very much assured – written in stone, almost. One such thing is his breakfast.
It is not uncommon for sports stars to settle upon a particular routine and stick to it following a successful day. Hance is no different and for the remainder of his time in Melbourne the dye is cast as far as his early-morning consumption is concerned.
“Breakfast opened at 6.30am and I had scrambled eggs and sausage followed by yoghurt,” said Hance. “When I am playing tournaments, I like to eat the same thing every singe day.
“It is a huge superstition for me, for sure. It doesn’t matter what it is, but if I eat something for dinner the night before my first round and then have a good first round, I will eat the same every single night.”
It is a process that has worked for Hance previously given he has tasted Junior Grand Slam success before having teamed up with fellow American Jack Kennedy to win the 2025 US Open boys’ doubles title.
Those two have previous having been part of the USA team crowned Davis Cup Junior champions in 2024 following a commanding showing in Antalya, Turkiye and victory over Romania in the final.
Both those triumphs feature on Hance’s Wikipedia page, something the teenager did not know existed, although he did suggest he would take a look when time allows. There were more pressing matters, however.
“I’m going to see if I can take an ice bath now,” added Hance. “It is hot outside so I will enjoy it. The first few minutes are tough, and it depends how cold it is, but I like to go in there for 10 minutes.
“In terms of the tournament here, I am really liking it so far. How can you not enjoy yourself when you’re in a place like this? I’m also enjoying playing in the heat. It feels like an advantage because I am used to it. I know a lot don’t like it, but I do.”
Unsurprisingly, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is a player Hance looks up to and someone whose style he tries to emulate and base his own game on.
“He and Sinner are insane," added Hance. "I have definitely been watching Alcaraz a lot and comparing my playing style to his and how he moves on court. I want to improve on the number of balls I get back, and I look at how efficiently he moves from side to side on court.”
Something which may also prove inspirational. Iga Swiatek, Sebastian Korda, Coco Gauff, Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti, Leylah Fernandez, Joao Fonseca, Linda Noskova and Alexandra Eala have all won Junior Grand Slams in the last eight years before making their mark higher up the tennis pyramid.
The player pathway is there for all to see. Hance will no doubt have designs on following in their footsteps in Melbourne. If he does, that Wikipedia page will need some updating.
A full list of results from the 2026 Australian Open Junior Championships is available here.