In the sun-drenched courts of El Palmar, Murcia, a young Carlos Alcaraz, barely four years old, gripped a tennis racket with a determination that belied his age. It was here, at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo, that his father, Carlos Alcaraz Sr., witnessed a spark that would ignite one of the most remarkable careers in modern tennis. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Alcaraz Sr. recently shared a vivid memory: “I went out and called your mum,” he recounted, his voice brimming with pride. “I said, ‘This boy is different. He’s destined to play tennis.’” This heartfelt anecdote, shared as the 22-year-old world No. 2 prepares for Wimbledon 2025, underscores the profound bond between father and son, a relationship that has shaped Alcaraz into a five-time Grand Slam champion and a global sporting icon.
The story begins in the early 2000s at the family-run tennis club, a legacy built by Alcaraz’s grandfather, Carlos, who transformed a hunting club into a haven for racquet sports. Alcaraz Sr., a former professional player who once cracked Spain’s top 40, took on the role of director, nurturing young talent, including his own sons. Young Carlos, affectionately called “Carlitos,” was introduced to tennis at age four, swinging a racket under his father’s watchful eye. “He began to play with his dad, and one day [his father] asked me to watch him. This kid, at four, five years old, was spectacular,” recalled Kiko Navarro, one of Alcaraz’s early coaches. That day, as Alcaraz Sr. observed his son’s uncanny ability to track and strike the ball, he rushed to share the discovery with his wife, Virginia Garfia Escandón. “I went out and called your mum,” he said, a moment that crystallized his belief in Carlitos’ extraordinary potential.
Carlos Alcaraz Sr.’s instincts were spot-on. By age 15, Carlos Jr. made his professional debut at the 2018 JC Ferrero Challenger in Villena, defeating a 17-year-old Jannik Sinner in a match that foreshadowed their epic rivalry. “In my family, I think we have the sport in our blood,” Alcaraz said, reflecting on his family’s tennis legacy. His father’s guidance extended beyond the court, fostering a grounded mindset that has kept the young star humble despite his meteoric rise. Alcaraz Sr., who often travels with his son and hitting partner, older brother Álvaro, has been a constant presence, from the clay courts of Roland Garros to the grass of Wimbledon. “My dad, my mum, brothers, a lot of family over there. For me it’s amazing to have you here supporting me,” Alcaraz said after his 2024 French Open triumph, a testament to the family’s unwavering support.
The journey wasn’t without challenges. Financial constraints limited Alcaraz Sr.’s own professional career, and the family faced similar hurdles funding Carlos’ early tournaments. A local sponsor, Postres Reina, stepped in to support a trip to an under-10s world championship in Croatia, a pivotal moment that exposed young Carlitos to international competition. “It ended up being expensive because we were four people—Carlitos’s uncle, the son of the sponsor, Carlitos, and I,” Navarro recalled, highlighting the sacrifices made to nurture Alcaraz’s talent. At 15, Alcaraz Sr. made another selfless decision, entrusting his son’s coaching to Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1, at the Equelite Academy. “He’s my second father,” Alcaraz said of Ferrero, whose mentorship has been instrumental in his five Grand Slam titles, including back-to-back French Open crowns in 2024 and 2025.
Alcaraz Sr.’s influence extends to his son’s playing style, an aggressive baseline game punctuated by dazzling drop shots and relentless athleticism. “He gave me everything I needed to fall in love with the game,” Alcaraz has said, crediting his father for instilling a passion that shines through in every match. Off the court, Alcaraz remains rooted in family values, living with his parents and brothers in El Palmar. “To them, I am not a big tennis star, just a normal guy,” he noted, a sentiment reinforced by his mother’s home-cooked paella and his father’s firm but loving guidance. “My father is tougher and my mother less,” Alcaraz quipped, recalling how he navigates parental permissions for big purchases like a car.
As Alcaraz gears up for Wimbledon, where he aims to defend his 2024 title, his father’s early prophecy resonates more than ever. The moment Alcaraz Sr. called Virginia to share his revelation marked the beginning of a journey that has captivated tennis fans worldwide. From a precocious four-year-old to a global superstar, Carlos Alcaraz carries his family’s legacy with every swing. “I went out and called your mum,” Alcaraz Sr. said, a simple act that heralded the arrival of a tennis prodigy destined to leave an indelible mark on the sport.
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