After leading Paris Saint Germain to its first Champions League victory, Spanish coach Luis Enrique praised his players for their ability to handle pressure during the crucial match against Inter Milan. Among those who stood out was 19-year-old Désiré Doué, who earned the man of the match title.
Doué, along with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, are part of a generation of athletes known for their composure under pressure. Alcaraz shared his perspective on this mindset: “Honestly, I can identify with that,” he said. He emphasized that moments of pressure reveal great athletes, stating, “I always tell myself in those moments that I have to give more, I have to give something extra, I have to go for it and be unafraid.”
Alcaraz is set to face Tommy Paul in the Roland Garros quarter-finals. Reflecting on his progress since winning his first Coupe des Mousquetaires last year, Alcaraz highlighted the importance of learning how to win even when not playing at one’s best. “We’re learning,” he remarked with pride. He acknowledged the need for consistency and finding solutions when challenges arise.
At 22 years old, Alcaraz is aware of the growth still ahead of him. He noted that young talents like himself have achieved success early in their careers and have ample time to continue improving.