In a self-referential meta moment, the first episode of Season 2 of the Netflix docuseries “Break Point” opened with the red-carpet premiere of Season 1. Those episodes dropped just before the 2023 Australian Open got underway. Season 2 started with “The Curse” because many players featured in the show’s first season were quickly bounced out of the tournament through injury or early-round losses.
The first to fall, at least per this episode, was Nick Kyrgios. He was seen arriving for an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic before the Grand Slam tournament got underway. As he entered the facility, Kyrgios commented to Daniel Horsfall that he wasn’t bothering to warm up. It is a strange move by a professional tennis player, as pre-match and training routines are designed to prevent injury. Two days later, Kyrgios was out of the Australian Open with… a knee injury.
That loss for both the player and the organizers of the Australian Open is our gain. It gave us a chance to see Kyrgios use a Cryo Cuff Cold Therapy system on the show. This is essentially a water jug that connects to a compression ice pack. Kyrgios’s model was intended specifically for the knee, but the manufacturer makes systems for other body parts. It delivers targeted chilled therapy to the cuff utilizing gravity without requiring an external power source.
In principle, this system is roughly equivalent to using ice packs. However, the form factor that conforms closely with the knee makes it much easier to deliver effective cryo therapy over a longer treatment session. One of the problems with traditional ice packs is constant readjustment as the ice melts. This system appears to address the challenge of an awkward-to-ice body part such as a knee or shoulder.
The Cryo Cuff Cold Therapy Kit (<-Sponsored Link)
The Netflix docuseries “Break Point” continues to provide intriguing glimpses into the tools and training techniques professional tennis players have at their disposal. The Cryo Cuff Cold Therapy system from this episode is accessible to players at all levels who similarly need to treat and manage injuries. I am interested in the thoughts and experiences of anyone who has used this device. It certainly looks promising to me.
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A bag of frozen garden peas is just as good…..