HABITS OF CHAMpions:

Lessons from roland garros

for financial professionals

The 2025 Roland Garros Men’s Championship was one for the ages. A showdown between World #1 Jannik Sinner and #2 Carlos Alcaraz delivered one of the most thrilling Grand Slam finals in history – a five-hour-and-29-minute marathon of grit, brilliance, and emotional intensity. But beyond the scoreline, what truly stood out were the championship habits that both men displayed, habits that transcend the clay courts of Paris and apply just as much to the boardrooms and meeting tables of financial advisors.

Let’s look at how these habits of champions showed up on Court Philippe-Chatrier and how they can fuel success for financial advisors serving high-net-worth individuals and families. 

1. Embrace the Opportunity 

On the Court: Carlos Alcaraz came into the final facing the World #1 in Sinner. Despite losing the first two sets, Alcaraz never let fear or anxiety dictate his play. “I just believe all the time,” Alcaraz said after the match. “In specific moments, I have to go for it, no matter if I’m down, or if it’s the super tiebreaker in the fifth. I just thought that it’s time to go for it, not be afraid of the mistakes.”

In the Office: Financial professionals must embrace the challenge of acquiring and serving top clients. Rather than fearing whether you’re “good enough” to land a new multi-million-dollar client, use it as motivation to refine your process, team, and capabilities. Embrace the opportunity to build something worthy of your most aspirational prospect. 

3. Be in the Moment

On the Court: Sinner spoke about his disappointment after failing to convert match points but added, “I stayed there mentally.” Alcaraz, meanwhile, focused intently on the moment, not the scoreboard: “One point at a time.” He further reflected, “You have to stay focused all the time. Every point matters. If you let your mind drift even for a few minutes, it can cost you the match.” Alcaraz credited his team for helping him stay grounded: “They remind me to stay in the moment, focus on my strategy, and trust what we’ve worked on.”

In the Office: Each day is a match. Ask yourself constantly: Is what I’m doing right now moving my business forward? Focus on delivering a great client meeting, making that prospecting call, or refining your team’s weekly plan. Don’t ruminate on yesterday’s lost opportunity or worry about tomorrow’s market volatility.

4. Execute Routines

On the Court: Alcaraz is known for his discipline—routines before serves, rituals between points. It’s not superstition; it’s structure. His pre-serve routine often includes bouncing the ball a specific number of times and taking a few deep breaths to center himself. Mentally, he resets between points by turning away from the court, visualizing the next play, and focusing on his breathing. Physically, his warm-up and recovery routines include dynamic stretches, ice baths, and precise nutrition planning. These habits create stability during chaotic moments and helped him claw back from two sets down to eventually win the title.

In the Office: Identify the 3–4 routines that drive growth and production in your practice. Prospecting. Client reviews. Investment strategy work. Team development. Block time for these each day. Your calendar is your match schedule—execute with consistency.

5. Enjoy Adversity, Let It Go & Reset

On the Court: Alcaraz made numerous errors in the third set, but he didn’t allow frustration to derail him. “You have to find the joy in suffering,” said Alcaraz. To that point, Sinner had to endure this own adversity when he didn’t convert any of the 3 match points in the fourth set, leading 5-3 with Alcaraz serving at 0-40. During his post-match interview, Sinner recalled “I tried to delete everything, every set. In Grand Slams you try to start from zero again. “I was, of course, disappointed about the fourth set and match points and serving for the match. But again, I stayed there mentally. I didn’t give him any free points.”

In the Office: Every financial professional has lost a dream prospect, bungled a call, or stumbled through a market downturn. You can’t win yesterday. Reset. Get back to the next opportunity. One more call. One more client conversation. The best play is always the next one.

6. Stay Positive

On the Court: Sinner reflected after the loss, “It hurts, yes, but you cannot keep going crying… So, it happens.” He maintained perspective and belief. Alcaraz added, “It’s a Grand Slam final; it’s no time to be tired or give up.” He also shared, “There were a lot of moments in the match when I was cramping, feeling down, but I just kept telling myself: keep going, keep fighting.”  Later, he said, “Even if the body doesn’t feel great, the heart has to carry you through. I believed in that until the very end.”

In the Office: Negativity drains momentum. Remind yourself daily: This moment is the start of a new opportunity. Positivity isn’t naïve; it’s necessary. Keep focusing on progress—not perfection—and trust that consistent effort will create results.