The chess prowess is inside Carlos Alcaraz.

The mental fortitude honed through chess may be the reason Carlos Alcaraz confidently executed drop shots or coolly lobbed shots at crucial moments against Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final.

In Game 10, Set 5, Wimbledon 2023 Final, Alcaraz faced the most crucial moment of his career at the age of 20, trailing 0-15. On the point, he attempted a drop shot but it didn't clear the net. After a few rallies, the Spaniard attempted another drop shot and this time made no mistake. Djokovic returned the shot deep at the net, but Alcaraz immediately lobbed the ball over his opponent's head to win the point.

Alcaraz celebrates a point after defeating Djokovic 3-2 in the Wimbledon final in London, England on July 16, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Many Wimbledon spectators rose to their feet and raised their hands in applause for the young player's shot. On ESPN , tennis expert Spencer Hall also admired Alcaraz's coolness. "He hit some brutal shots, forcing the 36-year-old to constantly come to the net to return drop shots, and then back to the court to defend against lob shots," he said.

But the most valuable praise for Alcaraz came from his opponent – ​​the record holder for men's singles Grand Slam titles. "I'm heartbroken to have lost such a close match, but I have to acknowledge Alcaraz's talent," Djokovic said in the post-match press conference on Centre Court (London, England). "He won some great points at crucial moments. At 20 years old, Alcaraz has maintained his composure, played attacking tennis, and finished the match so impressively. I returned his serve reasonably well in the final game, but he hit some such excellent shots."

Alcaraz's lob shot was a winning point against Djokovic.

Alcaraz's lob shot was a winning point against Djokovic.

In terms of mental fortitude, no one has matched Djokovic over the past 10 years . In the Open Era, he holds a record-breaking 45% win rate after losing the first set in ATP tournaments throughout his career, with 139 wins and 170 losses. Rafael Nadal's figure is 42.5%, and Roger Federer's is 41.9%. Nadal once said that Djokovic has the mentality of a machine.

Closely contested matches like the recent Wimbledon final can be decided in a few moments, and mental fortitude can resolve everything. Another instance occurred in the fifth set, game two, when Alcaraz was down 30-40 on serve, while Djokovic took the lead in the rally. The Serbian player constantly pressured Alcaraz's forehand, making it difficult for the young opponent to defend. Alcaraz's final shot flew high before landing near the net. Djokovic could have waited for the rebound, but his volleys consistently hit the net, leaving him frustrated and frustrated.

Djokovic's unforced error in the fifth set against Alcaraz

Djokovic's missed shot in the fifth set against Alcaraz.

If Djokovic had won that point, he would have led 2-0 in the fifth set, and the match could have unfolded differently. Or, if Djokovic hadn't hit the net when he had a chance to win the tie-break in the second set, he would have been two sets ahead, and Alcaraz would have had a much harder time turning the situation around. The 20-year-old himself admitted that if he had lost that tie-break, he could have lost three sets straight.

After the match, Djokovic said that he had won many tense matches like this before, so this defeat was fair. Was the key to the final a matter of "give and take," as Djokovic said, or was Alcaraz truly a matter of mental fortitude?

Djokovic is known as the "king of comeback wins," but for about a year now, that title could be given to Alcaraz, highlighted by the recent Wimbledon final where he won 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. In the last 52 weeks, Alcaraz's win rate when losing the first set is 56.3%, with nine wins and seven losses. This statistic cannot be compared to Djokovic's record rate of 45% mentioned above, as the Serbian player has been playing for almost 20 years. But in the same period, Djokovic's rate was 50% - lower than his younger counterpart, with four wins and four losses.

After each significant achievement, Alcaraz often points to his temple. This celebratory gesture is becoming increasingly popular in the sports world, as footballer Marcus Rashford has done for a long time, to remind people of the importance of mental fortitude.

Alcaraz often plays chess to maintain focus before tennis matches . His grandfather taught him chess from a young age, and he recognizes many psychological similarities between the two sports. "Before each match, I usually take a nap and then play chess," he told Marca in March 2022. "In chess, as in tennis, just one moment of distraction can be costly. Chess helps me maintain focus at all times, observe carefully, and predict what my opponent will do next."

Alcaraz admitted that his mental strength was his greatest asset, in another interview with ATP two months later. "Improving physical fitness is necessary, but mental fortitude is even more important," he added. "I've improved a lot mentally in order to win big matches."

Alcaraz hitting a backhand in the 2023 Wimbledon final. Photo: Reuters

Alcaraz was right, because what he achieved in the past year revealed remarkable maturity. The Spanish player won the 2022 US Open and Wimbledon 2023. No one before the age of 20 has won two Grand Slams like him. Alcaraz missed the 2023 Australian Open due to injury, and lost to Novak Djokovic in the Roland Garros semi-finals after suffering cramps. If not for these fitness issues, Alcaraz could have significantly increased his number of major titles.

It's no coincidence that Djokovic showered Alcaraz with praise after the Wimbledon final. "I've never met a player like Alcaraz," said the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion. "He possesses the qualities of Federer, Nadal, and myself. Alcaraz is currently the best player in the world ."

The extent of Alcaraz's career success remains a question mark, as so many factors influence it. But for now, fans can look forward to the high-level matches between him and Djokovic. Their rivalry isn't just about technical skill; it's also about psychological warfare.

Xuan Binh

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