ATHLETES work relentlessly to attain success.

Many commit years to intense training and mental preparation, stepping out in front of spectators to display their best skills.

However, prior to competing, some athletes engage in rituals that they believe provide them with an advantage against their opponents.

The following examples highlight some fascinating customs that athletes upheld in their pursuit of success.

SunSport presents a collection of the most outrageous superstitions embraced by sports legends.

John Terry

Before stepping onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea legend John Terry consistently used the same urinal in the locker room.

In a lighthearted twist, after a team victory, Terry’s ritual attracted numerous teammates, including Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, sometimes holding up the squad’s entry onto the pitch.

Terry remarked, “Frank and I started this ages ago; in the Chelsea locker room, we have three urinals, and we opted to use one consistently. We won the game, and that was that.

“The following week, a line formed—Frank, Ashley, and then more teammates joined until there was a queue. Even now, players like Cesar Azpilicueta and Cesc Fabregas have gotten involved.”

“A few months back, the club secretary approached me saying, ‘We’ve gotten calls from the FA regarding our late arrivals,’ and I hesitated to admit it was because we were waiting to use the bathroom.”

Sergio Goycochea

Taking it further, Goycochea marked his territory in an unconventional way.

Interestingly, prior to penalty shootouts, the Argentine goalkeeper would urinate in his penalty box.

He shared: “I did it against Yugoslavia in the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals—we won, and then during the semis against Italy, I did it again, and it was successful!

“From then on, I repeated it before every penalty shootout. It turned into my lucky charm.”

Goran Ivanisevic

In 2001, wildcard Goran Ivanisevic achieved the extraordinary by winning the Wimbledon title, creating an unforgettable sports narrative.

He attributed his success to various rituals, including watching episodes of the Teletubbies, especially Tinky Winky, prior to his matches.

The Croatian shared with The Independent, “My coach suggested I watch it once because it was genuinely amusing.

“I won my match that day, and from then on, it became a ritual I couldn’t abandon. The purple one, Tinky Winky, was my favorite.”

Andre Agassi

Continuing with tennis, legendary American player Andre Agassi had a quirky routine concerning his match attire.

Beginning at the 1999 French Open, Agassi decided to go commando after inadvertently leaving his underwear behind.

Agassi recounted: “When I reached the locker room, I realized I had forgotten my underwear.

“What options does a man have? I decided to skip it. Eventually, it became a case of ‘If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.’ It actually felt quite liberating.”

Jason Terry

NBA player Jason Terry had his own distinctive pre-game ritual.

As the NCAA national championship against Kentucky approached, Terry would sleep fully dressed in his uniform.

Terry stated, “The next day, we won the national championship. After that, I thought, ‘I might be superstitious, and I should keep this up.’”

Serena Williams

The greatest female tennis player in history took considerable risks with her superstitions.

Serena was famously known for wearing the same unwashed socks throughout tournaments.

She also ensured to shower in the same location, perhaps to preserve her ritualistic practices.

Kolo Toure

The former Arsenal and Manchester City player had a unique pre-match superstition of being the absolute last player to exit the locker room.

This unusual habit caused him to miss the kickoff of a Champions League match against Roma at the Emirates Stadium.

In a humorous turn of events, the game commenced without him, and as he dashed onto the field, he received a yellow card for entering without the referee’s consent.

Mariafe Artacho del Solar

Aussie volleyball player Mariafe Artacho del Solar lost an earring during her opening match against Cuba at Tokyo 2020.

Instead of replacing it, she regarded it as a sign of good fortune and continued to compete wearing only one earring for the remainder of the tournament.

“Earrings are like my undergarments,” she humorously remarked.

“I can’t leave the house without them.”

Marta Kostyuk

Kostyuk’s first WTA 1000 title in Madrid in May was influenced by a laundry mishap and a pair of lucky shorts.

As she explained to Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus, “In our tournament laundry service, occasionally clothes get mixed up. Last year, I discovered a pair of underwear marked ‘Lucky Shorts’ and decided to keep it.

“My coach, Sandra (Zaniewska), kept it as a lucky token.”

Kostyuk added: “We promised that if I won, I would bring the ‘Lucky Shorts’ for the trophy photoshoot,” which she indeed did, showcasing the shorts as she executed a backflip on the court.