Four Tennis Stars Who Were Multi-Sport Athletes

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. 

That multi-sport foundation shaped the player we see today. His explosive footwork, instinctual spacing and ability to anticipate opponents' moves? Those didn’t come solely from tennis drills — they were sharpened during pickup soccer games and youth league matches. 

His joy for competition and ability to improvise on the fly mirrors the creativity you see in young athletes who weren’t boxed in too early. Rather than burn out chasing perfection, Alcaraz grew up learning how to love the game, no matter the sport. Alcaraz recently showed his love for soccer by warming up nine hours before a match, just so he could watch El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Now, he brings that same passion to one of the biggest stages in tennis — center court at the French Open.  

Coco Gauff – Gymnastics, Track and Field, Dance 

Before reaching Grand Slam finals and becoming the youngest American to win the U.S. Open since Serena Williams, Gauff was playing basketball, running track as well as doing gymnastics and dance. Her parents, both former college athletes, emphasized overall athleticism and keeping the game fun. That balance helped her avoid burnout — and stay hungry. 

Gauff’s mom, Candi explained her daughter’s youth sports journey: “Very early on she did soccer, a bit of gymnastics, track and field, some basketball, a bit of dance. But tennis always stood out for her and that is what she stayed with.” (Credit FamilyLife.com)

What this means for young athletes 

The takeaway is clear: success at the highest level doesn’t require early specialization. In fact, a multi-sport background might be your biggest advantage. So, the next time you wonder if your child should “focus only on tennis,” take a cue from the stars in Paris this week: the best athletes aren't built in one sport – they're built through varied experiences, time and passion.