If more tennis players seem to be breathing easier on court, they might have Carlos Alcaraz to thank. The four-time Grand Slam winner, who was set to play his third-round match at the French Open Friday night, has been using nasal strips in matches since last season—though not during his first two matches at Roland-Garros this week. His choice hasn’t gone unnoticed among fellow players.
Eighteen-year-old Mirra Andreeva, a semifinalist in Paris last year and currently seeded sixth, said, “I saw Carlos playing in it. I’d be interested to try and see if it makes a difference. If he wears it in matches, probably there’s something to it.”
Alcaraz himself mentioned at last year’s ATP Finals that the strips helped him recover better between points and planned to wear them more often. Once mainly associated with athletes like NFL legend Jerry Rice and soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, these adhesive nasal bands—looking like Band-Aids across the nose bridge—are increasingly common in tennis. They’re designed to slightly open the nostrils to improve nasal breathing and were originally marketed to reduce snoring. Now, athletes use them in hopes of better oxygen intake during exertion.
The idea sounds straightforward: better breathing could boost oxygen flow. However, scientific evidence remains limited. A 2021 review of over 600 studies by Brazilian researcher Ricardo Dinardi found little effect on airflow, heart rate, or exercise effort, suggesting benefits might be mostly placebo. Still, in elite sports, perceived advantages can matter a lot.
Three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, who has tried the strips this year, acknowledges the shaky science but likes using them both during matches and for sleeping. He didn’t wear one at Roland-Garros before his second-round exit but is testing a new internal nasal device for greater comfort.
For some players, like Nicolás Jarry, nasal strips are essential. After surgery in 2020, Jarry needs them to breathe properly during practices and matches. He has worn them for years but noticed a surge in interest only after Alcaraz began using them last year. Jarry sees others trying the strips, sometimes in different colors, but before Alcaraz, no one showed much curiosity.
Some players, including 2024 US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, are considering trying nasal strips because of breathing issues, like a deviated septum. She admits the look might be a hurdle: “I don’t know if I have the confidence to rock one,” she said with a smile.
Overall, while the science may be inconclusive, the trend of nasal strips gaining popularity among tennis players—partly inspired by Alcaraz—appears to be growing on the tour.
