In the sun-drenched village of El Palmar, Murcia, where tennis courts outnumber trees, Carlos Alcaraz Sr. once harbored dreams of greatness on the professional circuit. A talented player ranked among Spain’s top 40 in the early 1990s, his aspirations were cut short by a harsh reality: financial constraints that made pursuing a career untenable. Now, as his son, Carlos Alcaraz Jr., the 21-year-old world No. 2 and four-time Grand Slam champion, dominates the sport, Alcaraz Sr.’s emotional reflections on his own unfulfilled ambitions have struck a chord. In a recent interview, he shared the pain of his past, revealing how his sacrifices and lessons have shaped his son’s meteoric rise. As the younger Alcaraz prepares for the Madrid Open’s second round against Dominik Koepfer on April 27, 2025, his father’s story adds a poignant layer to the family’s extraordinary tennis legacy.
Alcaraz Sr.’s journey began at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, a club his father, Carlos Alcaraz Lerma, transformed from a hunting ground into a tennis haven. As a teenager, Alcaraz Sr. showed promise, competing nationally and earning a global ranking of 963 in 1990. But the costs of travel, coaching, and equipment proved insurmountable. “I had the heart, the drive, but not the means,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “Tennis was my life, but I had to let it go.” Instead, he poured his passion into coaching and administration at the Murcia club, where he introduced his second son, Carlitos, to the sport at age four. “I start playing tennis, thanks to my Dad,” the younger Alcaraz said after his 2023 Wimbledon triumph. “He’s really a huge fan of tennis. He was watching tennis before I was born.”
The elder Alcaraz’s sacrifices became the foundation for his son’s success. Recognizing Carlitos’s prodigious talent, he nurtured his skills, coaching him through tantrums and triumphs at the club’s clay courts. “His whole life, it’s about tennis,” Alcaraz Jr. said, reflecting on his father’s dedication. “For them, watching his kid, making history, and lifting the trophy here at Wimbledon is something incredible.” Financial struggles persisted, but a stroke of luck arrived when Alfonso López Rueda, president of local dessert company Postres Reina, spotted the young Alcaraz’s potential. At 10, Carlitos began wearing the company’s logo, with López Rueda funding trips to junior tournaments, including a pivotal event in Croatia. “That support changed everything,” Alcaraz Sr. recalled, crediting the sponsorship for enabling his son to compete on bigger stages.
The family’s tight-knit bond has been a cornerstone of Alcaraz Jr.’s rise. His mother, Virginia Garfia Escandón, a former IKEA sales assistant, provided emotional stability, cheering from the stands at every major milestone, from the 2022 US Open to the 2024 French Open. “For me, it’s really nice to see her here and enjoying her support,” Alcaraz said after dedicating his 2023 Madrid Open win to her on Mother’s Day. His older brother Álvaro, a hitting partner, and younger brothers Sergio and Jaime, both aspiring players, complete the tennis-obsessed clan. “When I finish a tournament, it doesn’t matter if I win or not, I just want to get home to be with my family,” Alcaraz told reporters in 2024, underscoring their grounding influence.
Alcaraz Sr.’s unfulfilled dreams have imbued his son with a deep appreciation for opportunity. “I loved tennis since the beginning,” the younger Alcaraz said, crediting his father’s early guidance. His aggressive baseline style, honed under former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero since 2018, has drawn comparisons to Rafael Nadal, his idol. With 18 ATP titles, including six Masters 1000 crowns and a 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters victory over Lorenzo Musetti, Alcaraz has already surpassed his father’s wildest aspirations. Yet, the emotional weight of his father’s sacrifices lingers. “It’s crazy,” Alcaraz said of his 2023 Wimbledon win. “I think for them, watching his kid making history is something incredible.”
As Alcaraz competes in Madrid, where he’s a two-time champion, his father’s story resonates with fans on X, who praise the family’s humility. Alcaraz Sr.’s journey from a promising player to a proud coach and mentor mirrors the sacrifices of many tennis parents, like those of Daria Kasatkina, whose family sold their home to fund her career. The Alcaraz family’s charitable efforts, including the Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation’s aid for Valencia flood victims in 2024, reflect their commitment to giving back. For Alcaraz Sr., watching his son chase a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros and beyond is a bittersweet victory—a dream deferred, but gloriously realized through Carlitos’s racket.