In the world of tennis, Carlos Alcaraz stands out not only for his talent but also for his charismatic presence, reminiscent of a young Tom Cruise. At just 22 years old, Alcaraz is on the verge of making history by potentially becoming the youngest male player to win all four Grand Slam titles, a record currently held by Rafael Nadal, who achieved this milestone at 24.
As the Australian Open men’s final approaches, Alcaraz is set to face Novak Djokovic, a seasoned champion who claimed his first Melbourne title when Alcaraz was still a child. Despite growing up during the era dominated by Nadal and Djokovic, Alcaraz’s admiration was always directed towards Roger Federer. In 2023, Alcaraz expressed his admiration, stating, “Federer, the class he had, the way he got people to see tennis – that was beautiful. Watching Federer is like looking at a work of art. It’s elegance, he did everything magnificently. I became enchanted by him.”
Alcaraz embodies many of Federer’s qualities, including his daring play, tactical versatility, and stylish approach. The humble yet powerful athlete from El Palmar, Spain, made headlines in 2022 when he became the first player to defeat both Nadal and Djokovic at the same clay-court event in Madrid, achieving this remarkable feat on consecutive days to claim the title.
His first Grand Slam victory came at the US Open in 2022, making him the youngest male champion of a major tournament since Nadal’s 2005 French Open win. Alcaraz also became the youngest player to reach the world number one ranking. His victory at Roland Garros in 2024 further solidified his status, as he became the youngest player to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass, and hard courts, with yet another record within his reach.
Reflecting on his achievements, Alcaraz remarked in Melbourne, “Obviously completing the career Grand Slam is something amazing to do, being able to be the youngest is even better.” His relentless drive and resilience were on full display during his Melbourne semi-final against Alexander Zverev, where he overcame cramps and a 3-5 deficit in the fifth set to secure a crucial victory.
Nadal’s Successor
Throughout much of his career, Alcaraz was mentored by coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, until their partnership ended late last year. Ferrero played a pivotal role in Alcaraz’s development, bringing him to his academy in Valencia, where his immense potential quickly attracted sponsors like Nike and Rolex, eager to support Nadal’s successor.
Alcaraz’s team has since grown to include a physical trainer, a physiotherapist, and the backing of psychologists and medical professionals. His potential was evident early on, as demonstrated at the Rio clay-court event in 2020, where, at just 16 and ranked 406 in the world, he stunned Albert Ramos-Vinolas to claim his first ATP victory, setting him on the path to stardom. Alcaraz, who honed his skills at a tennis school run by his father, captured his first ATP title in 2021.
Despite his rising fame, Alcaraz remains fiercely protective of his private life, maintaining close friendships from his childhood. He credits chess as a significant influence on his development, saying, “I love chess. Having to concentrate, to play against someone else, strategy, having to think ahead. I think all of that is very similar to the tennis court,” he shared in a 2023 interview. “You have to intuit where the other player is going to send the ball, you have to move ahead of time, and try to do something that will make him uncomfortable. So I play it a lot.”