As the French Open is in full gear in Paris, it's easy to think today’s tennis stars were destined for greatness from the start — training year-round, sacrificing other sports and hobbies and specializing before they hit middle school. But for many of them, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, some of the best players in the world didn’t specialize early. They grew up juggling different sports, building coordination, mental flexibility and joy for their sport. Here are some of the top pros playing in the French Open who proved that playing multiple sports can lay the foundation for elite success.
Jannik Sinner – Downhill Skiing
Before picking up a racket full-time, Sinner was one of Italy’s top junior skiers. He competed in national skiing competitions until age 13 and credits skiing with shaping his mental toughness, body control and agility.
“Skiing helped me stay calm under pressure. One mistake, and you're done — it teaches you focus,” Sinner told ATP Tour (Credit APT Tour).
His late switch to tennis didn’t slow him down — he’s now the top ranked player in the world and a front-runner at every slam.
Check out Sinner's skiing highlights here:
Jessica Pegula - Swimming
Long before becoming a top-5 name on the WTA Tour, Pegula was an all-around athlete. She swam competitively, dabbled in basketball and credits her overall athletic foundation — not just private lessons and training regimens — for helping her rise in tennis.
As the daughter of Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula, Jessica had access to top coaches and trainers, but her parents didn’t force a tennis-only path. Pegula’s journey was fueled by exploration, not pressure — and that freedom allowed her to develop at her own pace.
Now, she’s one of the tour’s most consistent players — proof that early balance can lead to long-term dominance.
Carlos Alcaraz – Soccer
Before becoming a four-time Grand Slam winner, Alcaraz was a soccer-obsessed kid in El Palmar, Spain. Like many of his counterparts, his early days were split between the soccer field and the tennis court — and for a while, it wasn’t clear which path he’d choose.
