Carlos Alcaraz caught playing chess in a public tournament days before his debut at the ATP Finals in Turin

Alcaraz withdrew from the last edition of the ATP Finals.

Carlos Alcaraz caught playing chess in a public tournament days before his debut at the ATP Finals in Turin

Carlos Alcaraz playing chess (Image via - @juleskoundismo/ 'X')

2-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz is engaging in side hustles as he takes a unique preparation route for the upcoming ATP Finals to be played in Turin, Italy. The post that has been doing the rounds on social media shows the Spaniard participating in a public chess tournament.

Alcaraz had earlier shared that playing chess was a part of his pre-match rituals. 

Chess helps me because you are focused, your head works.
Alcaraz explained during an interview with Marca
YouTube video

Here’s the post that has gone viral on social media:

FS Video

The World No. 2 went on to draw parallels between the two games as he explained the reason behind playing the game.

It helps me to be faster mentally, to observe plays, to see the movement you want to make, the strategy… To be focused all the time. In chess, like tennis, you get lost for a moment and the game is already mixed up. In this aspect they are two quite similar disciplines,”

The Spaniard was recently knocked out in the second round of the Paris Masters at the hands of Roman Safiullin. Russian pro defeated the second seed 6-3, 6-4 in the biggest upset of the tournament. The thumping straight sets defeat left Alcaraz with a tough task to overhaul Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings before the season ends.

Carlos Alcaraz to make his first-ever appearance at the ATP Finals

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz will be making his first-ever appearance at the ATP Finals to be played in Turin, Italy starting 12th November. The Spaniard qualified for the last edition of the year-end championship but withdrew before the start of the tournament owing to injury issues.

The 20-year-old was recently asked to choose between the year-end World No.1 position and the ATP Finals title. Alcaraz chose the latter, adding that the two things go hand in hand.

carlos alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz addressing the press at the China Open. (Credit: ATP Tour)

But, unfortunately for the Spaniard, Djokovic’s historic 7th title win at the recently concluded Paris Masters means that the World No.1 has all but confirmed his spot on the top of the ladder.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion now only needs to win one round-robin match at the ATP Finals in Turin to ensure that he finishes the year as World No. 1. If he does this, he will be signing off from the top step for a record eighth time.

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