The AI Lesson In The Alcaraz–Sinner French Open Final

As Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battled under the lights of Court Philippe-Chatrier for the finals of this year’s French Open, it felt like we weren’t just watching a tennis match—we were witnessing a masterclass in mental toughness, clarity under pressure, and strategic execution. Additionally, perhaps given my role as Chief AI Advisory and Business Officer at AI71, it struck me that the mindset on display wasn’t just relevant to sport. It’s precisely what most companies lack as they attempt to navigate the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. 

Watching Alcaraz, you see the discipline to adapt in real time, and the mental resilience to weather high-pressure moments—which is what businesses need to showcase too in the age of AI. Yet, most organizations approach AI like a shiny new gadget. There’s excitement, some experiments, and a few proof-of-concept demos. But no deep operational integration. Why? Because successful AI adoption requires a champion mindset, not hype cycles or half-baked pilots. 

Everyone talks about how AI is going to “change everything.” But there’s a question we’re not asking enough: are companies mentally ready for what AI demands? After all, we’re not just rewriting job descriptions. We’re rewriting what leadership even means. The polite version is that AI is “changing the nature of leadership.” The real version? Most organizations aren’t ready for what’s coming.  

The hype is everywhere. Generative AI is reshaping workflows, redefining roles, and, according to Goldman Sachs, threatening to automate 300 million jobs globally. Accenture predicts that companies that get it right will achieve 30 to 40% productivity gains. But here’s the thing: very few are getting it right. 

Why? Because embracing AI isn’t about tech alone. It’s about mindset. 

You see, the next generation of CEOs won’t necessarily be the most technical or even the most visionary. Instead, they’ll be the ones who can navigate the messiness of man-machine collaboration with radical clarity and emotional intelligence. 

After all, AI doesn’t just automate tasks. It compresses the experience curve. It shortcuts the slow accumulation of wisdom. And unless we rethink how we train, mentor, and grow leaders, we risk building an efficient future. 

The same tension played out, metaphorically, on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Alcaraz and Sinner didn’t win points with flash; they won them through micro-adjustments, deep preparation, and an unshakable grasp of fundamentals.  

And there’s a lesson here for every company thinking about AI. 

Because success with AI, like winning a Grand Slam, isn’t about big ideas or dazzling pilots. It’s about relentless execution. Clarity of purpose. Obsession with inputs, not just outcomes. Small sprints, not massive overhauls. The companies that are truly integrating AI are doing so with a kind of mental discipline that mirrors that of elite sports. 

So, what if companies approached their AI strategy the way Alcaraz approaches a five-set match, point by point, decision by decision, focused only on what matters? Not from a place of fear or vanity, but from a place of deep purpose and strategic intent? 

Because the pressure is real, the stakes are high. And the match is far from over. We’re not all competing on clay in Paris, but we're competing for relevance, resilience, and the future. 

The companies figuring this out now—the ones willing to think, move decisively, and lead differently—will win. In this tournament of transformation, mindset is match point. 

About The Author 

Chiara Marcati is the Chief AI Advisory and Business Officer at Abu Dhabi-based AI71. Marcati has extensive experience in accelerating business through deploying generative artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics strategy and modeling, change management, and capacity building. Previously, Chiara was a Partner at McKinsey & Company for 20 years, where she led the specialized AI arm, QuantumBlack, in the EEMA region. Chiara holds an M.Sc. in telecommunication engineering, summa cum laude, from the University of Pisa in Italy, as well as an MBA from HEC Paris in France.

Pictured in the lead image are Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Image courtesy Roland Garros.