Last Updated on June 8, 2023
Spain’s Newest Tennis Prodigy: Carlos Alcaraz, the Youngest and First Teenage Men’s World No.1 and Year-End No.1 in ATP Rankings History
Born on May 5th, 2003, in El Palmar, a bustling village in Murcia, Spain, Carlos Alcaraz Garfia hails from a family deeply connected to the world of tennis. His parents, Carlos and Virginia, raised him alongside his three brothers, Alvaro, Sergio, and Jaime. Tennis runs in the family bloodline, with his grandfather being the pioneer member of a local tennis club, and his father, a former semi-pro and Spanish Championship runner-up, heading a tennis academy.
With the iconic Rafael Nadal as his role model and his father’s influence, Carlos picked up a tennis racket at the tender age of four. He began his journey at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, where his father served as the tennis academy director. To hone his skills further, 15-year-old Carlos relocated to Alicante in 2018, training at the esteemed Equelite JC Ferrero Sport Academy.
Although comparisons to Nadal are inevitable, Carlos Alcaraz has carved out a unique style that combines the defensive prowess of Pablo Carreno Busta and the creative, offensive approach of Nicolas Almagro. A versatile player, Carlos primarily adopts an aggressive baseline strategy, focusing on powerful forehands and a high winner count. His well-placed, deceptive drop shots further enhance his game.
Alcaraz acknowledges Nadal’s unparalleled legacy but is determined to forge his own path. “I know that there will never be another like Rafa in history. I am Carlos,” he asserts.
Growing up, Carlos idolized Nadal, sharing his affinity for clay courts. A football enthusiast and Real Madrid supporter, he reveals a glimpse of his ambitions when asked about his favorite song: “The Eye of the Tiger.”
Who Is Carlos Alcaraz’s Current Coach?
Juan Carlos Ferrero
Alcaraz owes his early success not only to his talent, but also to his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who combined his pro experience as a player with his extraordinary coaching skills, and manages Alcaraz’s career.
Juan Carlos Ferrero Donat was born on 12th February 1980 in Ontinyent, Spain. He began playing tennis at age seven with his father, Eduardo, who often traveled with him. During his playing career, he was nicknamed “Mosquito” for his speed and slender physical build. Ferrero won sixteen ATP titles and in the year when Alcaraz was born he won French Open, his only Grand Slam title. That year he reached World No.1, that he hold it for eight weeks. In 2012 he retired but after that it was announced that would make a comeback, playing in the Barcelona doubles draw alongside Pablo Carreno Busta. However, that would be his only tournament. During his playing days he admired the play of American Jim Courier.
After retirement he started working as a coach at Equelite JC Ferrero Sport Academy that was founded in 1995 by his coach Antonio Martinez Cascales. Today, 27 years later, they are still working together and their academy is becoming more and more prestigious.
In July 2017, Ferrero started working as a coach of Alexander Zverev, but their collaboration lasted only for seven months. For that period, Zverev won two Masters titles, at Washington Opan and Canda Open, peaking at World No.3.
During 2018, at the JC Academy came to train perhaps the greatest Spanish talent since Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz. That year he turned pro and started by playing ITF Futures and ATP Challengers.
“He was something different from what I was used to. With Carlos, we still had everything to do. He was a youngster that had a lot of potential but was very untidy, and I think that’s something we have improved. I feel the level of Carlos’s game is still at 60% of his maximum.” said Ferrero after the first year of training Alcaraz.
Under Ferrero’s mentorship, Carlos won his first pro title at 2019 Manacor M15 Futures tournament. After turning pro he won totally three ITF Futures and four ATP Challenger titles, and broke into the top 100 in rankings in May 2021. Two months later, Alcaraz won his maiden ATP title at Croatia Open in Umag and due to his results at following tournaments; he made his debut as the youngest player in the top 35 on 1 November.
Alcaraz started his 2022 season to remember by wining Rio Open, followed by title at 1000 Masters in Miami. Then he won two more titles on home court in Spain, at Barcelona Open and Madrid Open. The icing on the cake came at US open, where he won his first Grand Slam which led him to World No.1 at ATP ranking. Having in mind that he is only nineteen, his time in World tennis is yet to come.
“I’ve enjoyed how he plays since he started with me. I know that he will have those moments of genius. I always give him free rein to be creative, not a robot. The way he gives his all on court and plays, with that intensity and speed in his shots, he can do so many things during a match and that’s what people are entertained by. I enjoy watching him play, and I’ve been involved in the world of tennis for so long.” said Ferrero about his trainee during US Open.
The talented Spaniard, Carloz Alcaraz, is not slowing down in 2023. He’s already won three trophies, including the prestigious Indian Wells Masters. In May he successfully defend his title at Mutua Madrid Open
Also Read:
- Who Are Carlos Alcaraz’s Parents?
- Carlos Alcaraz’s Net Worth
- Carlos Alcaraz Tennis Racquet
- Who Is Carlos Alcaraz’s Girlfriend?
Carlos Alcaraz’s coaching team
Carlos Alcaraz’s coaching team is made up of several other individuals too.
Alberto Molina Lopez has been Carlos’ agent and manager since the age of 13. He is a former representative of David Ferrer and Nicolás Almagro. Alberton is an agent at multinational IMG, one of the biggest sports agencies in the world. He has linked Alcaraz with sponsors such as Nike, Rolex, and Babolat.
Other members of Alcaraz’ team includes fitness coaches Alberto Lledó and Álex Sánchez doctor Juan José López and physiotherapists Fran Rubio and Juanjo Moreno. Carlos credited Juanjo Moreno for his success in the 2022 Miami Open final.
“Well, he told me that everybody knows it’s going to be my first final, but trying to think that this is the first match of the tournament, try to manage the nerves like I did in the semi-final.” he said.
Also Read:
- Who is Sebastian Baez’s Coach?
- Who is Gael Monfils’ Coach?
- Who Is Aslan Karatsev’s Coach?
- Who is Marin Cilic’s Coach?
- Who Is Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s Coach?
- Who Is Alexei Popyrin’s Coach?
Carlos Alcaraz’s achievements with different coaches
We have collected in the table the data about the trophies won by Carlos Alcaraz under the guidance of various coaches.
Coaches | Years of Cooperation | Titles |
Juan Carlos Ferrero | 2018 – ongoing | 2023 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Outdoor/Clay) 2023 Barcelona (Outdoor/Clay) 2023 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (Outdoor/Hard) 2023 Buenos Aires (Outdoor/Clay) 2022 US Open (Outdoor/Hard) 2022 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Outdoor/Clay) 2022 Barcelona (Outdoor/Clay) 2022 ATP Masters 1000 Miami (Outdoor/Hard) 2022 Rio de Janeiro (Outdoor/Clay) 2021 Umag (Outdoor/Clay) |
FAQ:
Who is Alcaraz Trainer?
Carlos Alcaraz’s trainer is former world No. 1 and Grand Slam champion Juan Carlos Ferrero. Alcaraz began training at Ferrero’s Equelite Sport Academy in Alicante, Spain, in 2018, where he has been able to develop his skills and game under the guidance of the experienced coach and former tennis star.
When did Carlos Alcaraz start playing tennis?
Carlos Alcaraz started playing tennis at the young age of four. He began his journey at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, where his father, a former semi-pro tennis player, served as the tennis academy director. Influenced by his family’s passion for tennis and inspired by Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz embarked on his journey to becoming a professional tennis player.
When did Carlos Alcaraz turn pro?
Carlos Alcaraz turned pro in 2018. After moving to Alicante to train at the Equelite JC Ferrero Sport Academy, he began competing in professional tournaments and quickly made a name for himself in the tennis world.
Who does Juan Carlos Ferrero coach?
Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1 and Grand Slam champion, currently coaches Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz has been training at Ferrero’s Equelite Sport Academy in Alicante, Spain, since 2018, where he has honed his skills under the guidance of the experienced coach and former tennis star.