Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of tennis, has captured the world’s attention with his remarkable achievements on the court. But behind his physical prowess lies an essential component of his success: his mental resilience. Enter Isabel Balaguer, the psychologist who has played a crucial role in shaping Alcaraz’s mindset.
Isabel Balaguer is a psychologist hailing from the University of Valencia. Her expertise extends beyond traditional therapy sessions; she specializes in sports psychology, helping athletes optimize their mental game. Balaguer’s collaboration with Carlos Alcaraz has been instrumental in his journey to becoming the youngest player ever to reach World No. 1 in the ATP Rankings.
Balaguer’s work with Alcaraz goes beyond addressing performance anxiety or stress. She helps him develop coping strategies, manage pressure, and maintain focus during high-stakes matches. Tennis is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one, and Balaguer ensures that Alcaraz’s mind remains as sharp as his forehand.
During the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, Alcaraz faced Novak Djokovic in an epic final that lasted nearly five hours. It was a test of nerves, resilience, and mental fortitude. Rather than relying solely on physical training, Alcaraz sought guidance from Balaguer. Her insights helped him handle the nervous tension that had previously hindered his performance.
During a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Carlitos revealed:
“Nervous? Of course! Before the Wimbledon final last year it was really difficult before coming to the court. Í am working with a psychologist (Isabel Balaguer), and I told her before the warm-up, ‘I am incredibly nervous!’ I was nervous since breakfast So two hours before the final I put my headphones on. Calm music, breathing slowly. I was in the gym at Wimbledon, lying on a physio table.
It probably looked as if I was sleeping, but I ims just controlling my emotions, trying to calm myself and my muscles. I was therefor more than 30 minutes. And then when I stepped on the court for the final, I was still nervous, but at least I had warmed up well, had planned well, and this helped me to trust myself in the match.”
Isabel Balaguer’s impact on Carlos Alcaraz’s career cannot be overstated. As he continues to climb the tennis ranks, her expertise will remain invaluable. Balaguer’s work exemplifies the critical role that sports psychologists play in shaping champions, one mindset at a time.
Ranked no.3, the Spaniard owns an overall 27-6 win-loss record in 2024. The Spaniard is competing in Wimbledon where he managed to beat the world no.269 Mark Lajal 7-63 7-5 6-2.
Carlos Alcaraz will play the world no.69 Aleksandar Vukic in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 3:00 pm on Court 1. Their actual record is 1-0 for Vukic.
Alcaraz conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells and French Open.
Alcaraz won 15 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
