In the sun-drenched courts of Murcia, Spain, a young Carlos Alcaraz first gripped a tennis racket at the age of five, unaware that he was embarking on a journey to become one of the sport’s brightest stars. Guiding those early steps was Carlos Santos, Alcaraz’s first coach, who nurtured the prodigy’s talent until the age of 12. Now, as Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, continues to dazzle the tennis world, Santos has opened up about his decision to part ways with the young Spaniard—a choice he describes as “the best decision I have made.” His reflections, detailed in his new book, Alcaraz, the Making of a Champion, offer a poignant look at the sacrifices, tensions, and pivotal moments that shaped a global superstar.
Santos’s story begins in 2008, when a pint-sized Alcaraz, brimming with energy and raw talent, joined his training group at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, where Alcaraz’s father, Carlos Sr., served as a coach and administrator. Santos quickly recognized something special in the boy’s fearless style and unrelenting determination. “He was a child with a spark, always chasing the ball with a smile,” Santos recalls, painting a vivid picture of a young Carlitos who played with an instinctive flair. Over seven years, Santos dedicated himself to honing Alcaraz’s skills, often rearranging his personal and professional life to accommodate the budding talent. He traveled with Alcaraz to junior tournaments, instilling discipline and technique while marveling at his pupil’s potential.
By age 12, Alcaraz’s talent had attracted attention far beyond Murcia. His family faced a critical juncture, balancing the need for professional coaching with financial realities. It was then that a new figure entered the picture—not a coach, but an individual tied to a sponsor. Santos explains that this person’s arrival shifted the dynamics within Alcaraz’s team. “A man appeared,” Santos recounts, emphasizing that the newcomer’s influence stemmed not from coaching expertise but from financial backing. Alcaraz’s father initially committed to this sponsor, prioritizing stability for his son’s burgeoning career. However, Santos sensed a misalignment. “His father made a bit of a commitment to him at first, until he realized that what he wanted next to his son was a coach,” Santos notes, hinting at the tension that followed.
The situation culminated in a difficult choice. Santos, feeling his vision for Alcaraz’s future—a “bigger, stronger” project—was at odds with the new direction, decided to step away. “I gave up the project because I wanted something bigger,” he says, acknowledging the emotional weight of the decision. Despite assurances from Alcaraz’s father that Santos could remain involved, perhaps as an assistant coach or physiotherapist, his instincts told him otherwise. “My head and heart told me otherwise,” he reflects, a sentiment that underscores the personal toll of his departure. The decision strained his relationship with Alcaraz’s father, and while they reconciled over time, the release of Santos’s book has reignited some distance. “I don’t know, I think I should be in a different position,” Santos muses, grappling with his place in Alcaraz’s storied journey.
Looking back, Santos harbors no regrets. “It’s obvious, just look at the position Carlitos is in,” he says, pointing to Alcaraz’s meteoric rise under the guidance of Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former world number one who took over at the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Villena. Since Santos’s departure, Alcaraz has won the US Open (2022), Wimbledon (2023, 2024), and the French Open (2024), becoming the youngest man to reach the top ATP ranking at 19. Santos takes pride in his foundational role, having laid the groundwork for Alcaraz’s explosive forehand and relentless court coverage. “I haven’t had a single nightmare about it,” he declares, affirming that stepping aside allowed Alcaraz to soar.
Santos’s story is not just about a coach’s sacrifice but also about the complex interplay of ambition, loyalty, and timing in the making of a champion. His departure paved the way for Alcaraz to access world-class resources, yet it came at a personal cost. As Alcaraz prepares for the 2025 Italian Open, recovering from a recent adductor injury, Santos’s reflections remind us of the unsung figures behind every triumph. “I did everything I could for this child,” he says, a testament to the love and labor that helped shape a tennis titan. For Santos, letting go was not an end but a beginning—a selfless act that unleashed Alcaraz’s potential to conquer the world.
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