Vanity Fair Taps Carlos Alcaraz, A'ja Wilson, and Kylian Mbappé for Historic First Global Sports Issue

Vanity Fair has unveiled its first-ever issue dedicated exclusively to global sports, featuring three of the world's most compelling athletes as cover stars: tennis phenom Carlos Alcaraz, WNBA powerhouse A'ja Wilson, and football icon Kylian Mbappé.

The magazine's inaugural sports-focused edition examines how athletics has become a commanding force in contemporary culture, exploring "sport's cultural, financial, and political influence at a time where it has emerged as one of the few forces still capable of commanding global, cross-generational attention."

Alcaraz on Career Longevity and Mental Health

The Spanish tennis champion opened up about managing the psychological weight of his career trajectory. "I'm aware that I have so much ahead of me, and I try not to think that I have 12 or 15 years left of my career because I get overwhelmed," Alcaraz shared.

He also discussed the toll of overtraining, revealing that pushing through without adequate rest has previously derailed both his performance and physical health. On navigating public scrutiny of his personal choices, he emphasized the human element: "Well, I think that nowadays we have to be way more careful with what we say, and what we do, but at the end of the day, we're just human, you know?"

Addressing his competitive dynamic with rival Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz highlighted their ability to maintain mutual respect off the court while competing fiercely during matches. He tempered comparisons to legendary tennis rivalries, noting that both players have extended careers ahead and the potential to meet in numerous major finals.

Mental wellness emerged as a central theme in his remarks. "I think it's just as important, or more, than taking care of your body. There's people who are, fairly so, obsessed with body aesthetics, but to me it's just as important to take care of your head," he explained.

Wilson on Excellence and the WNBA's Evolution

The Las Vegas Aces superstar framed her competitive drive as intrinsically linked to championship success. "I want to prove that I'm the best. That allows me to have a great trophy case. It allows me to get rings. And it allows me to just play with peace," Wilson stated.

She reflected on the transformative impact of the franchise's relocation, noting the shift in how professional athletes are treated across the league. "When we moved, it was like, Oh, this is how professional athletes should be taken care of. Not just female or male—professional athletes, period," she observed.

Wilson also touched on her methods for mental recovery between seasons, describing a deliberate reset that includes putting away her equipment and getting long nails—a playful way to ensure physical distance from the game.

On the financial reshaping of women's basketball, Wilson acknowledged how wealthy ownership groups are responding to competitive moves by other franchises, driving investment across the league.

Regarding her relationship with Miami Heat player Bam Adebayo, she emphasized their shared commitment to privacy and stability. "We just wanted to make sure that we were secure in ourselves, our relationship, and our foundation. People know more than they knew before, but it's still a situation that we hold really close to us only because this world is nasty," she said.

Mbappé on Pressure, Politics, and Public Scrutiny

The French football star addressed the relentless expectations placed on national team players. "It's difficult to be in a situation like ours, where everyone expects us to perform miracles. But miracles only happen on the pitch—we don't need to play the match before the match," Mbappé reflected.

He spoke candidly about the scrutiny directed at French players regarding their diverse backgrounds, offering a characteristically self-aware take on national culture. "We're French! A French person loves to complain. A French person loves being unhappy. We're just French. So French people judging French people—that's what you get. A French person is happiest when they're not happy, I believe. Because it's true—we criticize everything. And I say we because I'm like that too!"

Mbappé emphasized his refusal to remain silent on political matters, positioning athletes as citizens with civic responsibilities. He expressed particular concern about right-wing movements gaining power, stressing that wealth and fame don't insulate him from the consequences of political developments. "We are citizens, and we couldn't just sit there and tell ourselves everything is going to be fine and go play. We truly try to fight this idea that a footballer should shut up and play," he declared.

Reflecting on the loss of privacy that accompanies fame, Mbappé acknowledged the paradox of celebrity: the very success that brought scrutiny was something he and his peers consciously pursued, even if not to the current degree. He attributed some of his earlier missteps to achieving prominence at a young age without the maturity to navigate public attention. "I haven't always handled this situation extremely well, because I became famous very young. And so I didn't have the wisdom, the open-mindedness, or the empathy to sometimes put myself in people's shoes," he admitted, noting his efforts to cultivate greater understanding as he's matured.

The full interviews are available at VanityFair.com.