Trinity Of Alcaraz Heart, Brains, And Courage To Move On
The past season kept the entire tennis world in suspense. The showdown between 36-year-old Novak Djokovic and 20-year- old Carlos Alcaraz seemed nothing short of a battle for life. After defeating Novak at Wimbledon, Carlos fought like a predator to prove the worthiness of his victory, aiming for the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings and to capture the tennis throne. Although Akela retained the throne, his young rival was hot on his heels, exhausting himself. Times Monaco has exclusively spoken with Carlos to gain insights for a forecast of the historic rivalry for the upcoming tennis season, through the prism of the rising star.
Their duel has become the most captivating narrative. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have faced each other five times in total. The first encounter took place in Madrid in 2022, where Alcaraz emerged victorious over Djokovic. The second clash occurred at Roland Garros in 2023, following Djokovic’s win. Wimbledon in July of the same year marked their third meeting, with the Spaniard seizing the historic victory over Serb. The fourth match unfolded in Cincinnati, where Djokovic triumphed after a lengthy and grueling battle. The latest showdown was at the Nitto Finals in Turin, where Djokovic retained his ATP No. 1 title, and Alcaraz missed the opportunity to replicate his 2022 success, settling for the second ATP spot this year.
In this head-to-head, Djokovic has won three out of the five matches, while Alcaraz has won two. Still, for those who like to compare, we would underline that Alcaraz achieved the feat of becoming ATP No. 1 at 19 years old and won his first Wimbledon at the age of 20, while Djokovic accomplished these milestones at the ages of 23 and 24.
No time to be sick when it’s your “star-boy” time
We interviewed Carlos at the Hopman Cup in July this year, right after he won Wimbledon by beating Novak. “Playing in a smaller tournament after Wimbledon still feels thrilling,” Carlos shared. “I was excited to be here and compete in the Hopman Cup. I come to every tournament determined to win.” His expectations were undoubtedly set at the top for this year, yet the stars seem to be slowing the wonderkid down.
A peculiar paradox emerges – it seems easier to secure a victory after a loss than to continue winning after an outstanding triumph. The pressure following a significant victory can be overwhelming. This pressure was evident in Alcaraz’s post-Wimbledon period, where he faced health issues, leading to his withdrawal from the Swiss Indoors Basel in October due to muscle fatigue in his back and a foot injury, both of which required treatment. In subsequent matches, he struggled to perform at his peak.
«I think about Djokovic almost in every practice, I am not going to lie», Carlos Alcaraz, after Wimbledon.
Reaching a height after which another victory is no longer an inspiring challenge but rather a suppressing necessity to prove oneself can lead to a loss of the free spirit of the game. The weight of expectations from those who believe in you, invest in you, and place their bets on you can be burdensome. Losing this spirit may result in breaking down, losing oneself, and the qualities that led to previous victories. Alcaraz openly admits to thinking about Djokovic constantly, a sentiment echoed in his expressions of disappointment in himself after losses. This inner tension undoubtedly affects his game, and if not addressed, it could pose more adverse consequences for the world’s No. 2 in 2024.
The meteoric rise of the Spanish prodigy
The ultimate champion in the tennis world for the number of breakthroughs accomplished as the youngest player, after turning pro in 2018, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest world ATP number one ever in 2022, actually the first teen world number one on the ATP Tour, and the youngest in history to win Wimbledon. An Ambassador for Rolex, BMW, and Louis Vuitton, Carlos Alcaraz has been setting records at every step he makes.
Carlos is often referred to as a mix of three legendary players, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. What if he had to choose only one of them? “I cannot choose just one of the three beasts,” Carlos says with a smile. “But if I had to select certain qualities, I would go for Roger’s class and Rafa’s mentality.”
Alcaraz at his best
“Tough one to swallow,” said Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon on July 16, 2023, about losing to Alcaraz. “The moment I won Wimbledon was the best feeling in my entire life,” says Carlos. “It’s something crazy. It took me time to believe it. Wimbledon is iconic; the atmosphere and aura at this tournament are unique. There’s another level of respect when you say you’ve won Wimbledon compared to any other tournament.”
Carlos came across to us as someone who embodies a remarkable blend of controversial qualities that are in the process of forming. In fact, the word “beast” best describes Alcaraz himself. When you see him walking, you can identify the walk of a lion — springy, with well- controlled aggression. His movement expresses “I am a leader of pride, determined to be generous and protective to all of you around.”
Though his natural humbleness speaks to him as well. He seems to be someone who’s learning to balance his elements and manage his power without causing harm while pursuing his goals.
«I am still finding myself. I’m ok with that», Carlos Alcaraz.
Bacatus a Deo tennis
He was born under a tennis star – his father Carlos Alcaraz González used to be a top-40 player in his day and the director of tennis at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo du Murcia. So Carlito was trained by his father from the age of 4.
Since Carlos turned 15, he has been trained by Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former Spanish number one, a Roland Garros champion, and the winner of 16 ATP tournaments.
“My family, my coach and my friends help me stay grounded and not become a different person,» Carlos says when we ask him what the key is for him to keeping his feet on the ground as a 20-year- old superstar. “They treat me the same as the other members of my family, like my two brothers. No champion’s privileges.”
Carlos has two brothers: Alvaro, who is 3 years older than Carlos, and Jaime, who is 12 years old. Jaime is making his way in professional tennis; he has recently claimed the title in the Rafa Nadal Tour junior event under-12. Carlos believes his younger brother has a better forehand than he does. One day, the Alcaraz brothers might become as big as the Williams sisters. Another brother, Alvaro is three years older than Carlos and was a tennis player himself, though he didn’t develop into Pro. He is now part of the Juan Carlos Ferrero coaching team and has dedicated himself to Carlos’ career.
Alvaro accompanies Carlos on all tours and provides encouragement.
“He will support Carlos during trips and in the day-to-day of the rallies,» their father says. “It’s a valuable source of simplicity and naturalness in the relationship between two brothers.”
«My biggest influence is my father. He was the reason I started to play tennis», Carlos Alcaraz.
This kind of family support creates a solid ground for success, doesn’t it? Any other secret ingredients?
The Trinity of Alcaraz
Should we look for some on the top of it, we might notice a small CCC tattoo on his forearm. These three Cs represent Cerebro, Corazón, and Cojones, which translate to brains, heart, and courage (literally – balls) in Spanish – a tribute to his grandfather’s motto, Carlos claims.
«My grandfather always told me to focus on the Three Cs: head, heart and balls», Carlos Alcaraz.
To avoid confusion about the third C, let’s just remember the young star hails from vibrant Spain, the home of corrida. Historically, the third C was significant for both the matador and the bull in Spain. It all originates from folklore, we are convinced.
What sets Alcaraz’s technique apart?
Alcaraz’ technique is often referred to as a unique blend of power and finesse. He possesses one of the most powerful and consistent topspin forehands the ATP tour has ever seen. It’s actually his remarkable forehand which is compared to the ones of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
«He reminds me a lot of myself when I was young, just like him. It’s great to have such a star from my country», Rafael Nadal.
He easily covers the court thanks to his distinguished footwork which makes him capable of playing aggressive baseline tennis. Carlos can hit the ball from exactly any position with a beyond belief pace. He dishes out balls of all sorts – low, deep, short and even heavy topspin balls – with his forehand in one fell swoop. Exceptional movement and anticipation allow him to put pressure on his opponents and dictate the pace of the match.
Last but not least is impeccable time management Alcaraz possesses on court. Part of his strikes’ power, clarity and consistency owe to his timing as he manages to prepare his racquet very much in advance which gives him a good deal of time to complete his backswing and get his entire body weight into his forehand.
Growing into the world’s Number One
When it comes to time management, it wasn’t always one of Alcaraz’s strengths. He had to learn to be on time and adopted a strict diet when he began residing in a small room at the Juan Carlos Ferrero tennis academy at 16 years old, which is an hour away from home and where he lives till now. So everything is under strict control.
“I observed in him a player who stands out from the rest,” says Juan Carlos Ferrero. “We were genuinely impressed by his combination of aggressiveness on the court and his humility and kindness off it. He is very dynamic. He used to be a little bit inconsistent those days, but his quality on the court was impressive; this is what I saw. His forehand and backhand were already good, maybe not yet the serve.”
“He plays a significant role in my life, almost like a son,” Juan Carlos continues. “Carlos possesses excellent values – you tell him something, and he gets it done. This is crucial with young people today. Some players excel in practice but not during competitions. He is the opposite. He enjoys facing competitors and performing in crucial moments. This is very important if he wants to become one of the best. He recognizes his talent at this age, but I’m confident he aspires for more.”
“Everything I’ve accomplished is thanks to him,” says Carlos about his coach. “Juan Carlos always tells me that, in tough moments, one should play aggressively and go for it. I work out several times per day, working really hard. I want to be number one in the world; I have to think about tennis 24 hours a day.” “Everyone is different,” adds Juan Carlos. “But, of course, mentally, I’m trying to shape him into someone like me – composed and collected in certain moments, yet always a winner.”
Sticking to his strategy and unwavering self-belief empowered Alcaraz to stay in control. His aggressive play style helped release pent-up emotions constructively. In contrast, Novak’s controlled approach lacked a clear outlet, possibly contributing to his racquet violation in the final set of Wimbledon.
«I have prepared myself better mentally before Wimbledon to conquer pressure playing with Novak. Relaxation techniques and listening to some soothing music helped me», Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz for Louis Vuitton SS24 menswear: epic away game?
«We love Carlos, but this is cringe,” – fans bursted with fierceness in social media.
Why so adamantly? We believe we have the answer but let us first indulge into some allusions.
Does our reader remember the famous dance performed by Oscar-winning actor Christopher Walken in Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” music video? It was filmed in the deserted lobby of the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles. At a certain moment, the actor leaps from the balcony and starts gliding around the mezzanine. The whole scene exudes extraordinary style, and the dance is executed with such irony, that it has received numerous awards and remains one of the most recognizable music videos of all time.
The parallel is quite clear: Carlos “dancing” his tennis winning pas while wearing modern tailoring jacquard tuxedos with LV monograms in the Hôtel de Maison in Paris reminds a lot of Walken’s dance in Marriott, yet it appears more like a caricature and utterly lacks the irony which could really save it all.
Controversial if not yet scandalous
Even without knowing that the latest LV men’s collection is a debut of Pharell Williams as the brand’s menswear creative director, just by looking at it, one might see straight away that it was created by rapper for rappers and it looks best with traditional rappers accessories like golden chains, etc. A controversial if not yet scandalous fusion of rench fashion house DNA and American hip-hop vibes.
«I have admired Louis Vuitton for a long time,» Alcaraz says. «So, for me, the partnership is a dream come true.»
It’s hard to imagine this style complimenting the Spaniard. It seems as Alcaraz has unintentionally slipped into the swimming pool at Pharell Williams’ party and was loaned a dry suit by the party host. Naturally, this should have been followed by hip-hop dance moves rather than tennis moves with a poker face.
This epic fail is not Carlos’ fault. It just speaks for itself: opulent clothing and fancy interior are not always enough to truly make it – let’s just have the courage to say it out to the renowned fashion house. And yes, we love Carlos too, nonetheless. We just wish that everything Carlito is involved in could be in the same class as his game, bro.
Net worth of Alcaraz: $14 mln dollars on the table
Whatever we may think about the campaign itself, it’s evident that the collaboration with Louis Vuitton has been a lucrative one for Carlos. Last summer apres- Wimbledon reports stated that Alcaraz’s net worth was around €13.25 mln, which didn’t even include the LV deal.
This already surpasses the total earnings of his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, throughout his tennis career, and is still close to twenty times less than Djokovic’s net worth. It’s worth mentioning that Carlos is the first tennis player born after 2000 to reach this kind of figure. One more record of Carlito’s. His endorsement portfolio has significantly expanded in one year, making him a prominent figure on 2023’s «50 Most Marketable Athletes» list.
For beating Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon this summer, Alcaraz earned €2.731 mln
And the rest of his earnings, aside those from tournaments, comes from endorsements such as Rolex and BMW, blue-chips that turned their eye to the young talent within the last year. He also maintains long-standing partnerships with Nike and Babolat for his tennis apparel and equipment. While he exclusively uses Babolat for his racquet, he’ll be donning a Louis Vuitton kit instead of Nike’s in his upcoming tournaments.
Not to mention smaller endorsements like the Spanish food company ElPozo and others he’s grabbing here and there, which have raised the eyebrows of some of his fans.
What about Love?
What can we say about the passionate side of our hero? Well, not much so far. There were rumors that Carlos was in a relationship with the Spanish tennis player Maria Gonzalez Gimenez, a law student at the University of Murcia and a tennis player for Murcia Club de Tenis. However, this aspect of Alcaraz’s life is shrouded in mystery, leaving his female fans to enjoy observing the young athlete’s toned physique in the “Calvins or Nothing” campaign for Calvin Klein, which is another profitable endorsement for Carlos.
No guilty feelings or jealousy, ladies. Carlos might appear to be single. Though he is the type of handsome that we would bet will turn him into another David Beckham, whether he’s lucky enough to meet his Victoria.
Alcaraz, A Friend To All
When it comes to describing his personality, Carlos receives high praise. “He’s even a better person than he is a tennis player,” says Facundo Bagnis, a tennisist from Argentina. “He’s a 10 out of 10 guy, really funny and nice,” echoes another Spanish tennis player, Roberto Carballes Baena, all while being amazed that, with all his success and abundant talent, Alcaraz remains down-to-earth.
“I try to be friendly, warm, and get on with everyone,” says Carlos. “Among all, I find it the most important to be a good person. At the end of my career I’d like people to remember me as someone with good values more than a tennis player. You only spend a few hours a day on court, the rest of your life you’re off it. That’s why I try to use the manners that my parents taught me. And I try to be happy all the time.”
Though he is not a pleaser; one can enjoy watching Carlos’ to reveal his sharp tongue, sense of humor and charisma while he was interviewed on the Wimbledon court right after his victory, where he gave credit to everyone, including Djokovic, King of Spain Felipe VI, and the Royal Family, leaving no doubt he’s got some cojones on this field too.
Alcaraz’ Alchemistry: trust, work, and go for it
«If I play exceptionally well and become the number one player in the world, I want to share my success with my family and my people. Spending time with my friends in the same way as I used to do before is the key to my personality and what makes me unique», Carlos says. Whenever you have a conversation with Alcaraz, you’ll inevitably find him talking about his family and friends thanking them for their support emphasizing that his strength comes from them. Maybe he hasn’t found himself yet, as he says, but he is certainly a good guy with values imprinted. So far, he sets a positive example for the youth in every aspect, revealing undoubted potential to ascend to the throne of the world’s number one tennis player of the upcoming era.
“I told him at the net. He knows how young he is. He’s got plenty of time ahead of him, so he’s going to win this tournament I’m sure many many times,” Djokovic said. “He’s an unbelievable player, an incredible competitor and a very nice guy, so he deserves all the applause and all the support.”
“I trust myself,” Carlos states. “I trust in my game. I’m working hard to be able to compete against the top players. I’m not afraid. I’m a professional. The goal for me is to compete in the Olympic Games and my dream is to become better and more extraordinary. I will do my best to make people enjoy.”