Carlos Alcaraz Credits Chess for Mental Edge

At just 22, Spanish Tennis sensation, Carlos Alcaraz, has made quite the name for himself with his recent comeback victory at the French Open 2025 Final. Alcaraz had already made history by becoming the youngest men’s world No. 1 and US Open champion in 2022. Beyond his physical prowess, Alcaraz recently revealed a surprising mental training tool: chess.

In an interview with Spanish outlet Marca, the tennis prodigy shared how chess, introduced to him by his grandfather, sharpens his mind. “It helps me to be mentally faster, to see the plays, the moves I want to make, the strategy… you get lost for a moment and the game is already mixed up,” Alcaraz said. It was that mentality that helped the champion to fight back and rally back from three championship points against the world no. 1, Jannik Sinner. This strategic game has become a key part of his preparation, enhancing his focus and decision-making under pressure. The Spanish star has been open about attributing his mental preparation to chess, so much so that Alcaraz likes to take naps and play chess prior to his matches on the tennis court.

Interestingly, not just Alcaraz but also Novak Djokovic has also been fond of the 64-square board game. As Alcaraz continues to dominate, his chess-inspired mindset is proving to be a game-changer.