Autograph Corner: Carlos Alcaraz

Billie Jean King famously preaches that pressure is a privilege. Carlos “Carlitos” Alacaraz has been anointed the future of men’s tennis. Many players would buckle under that moniker. Alcaraz has embraced the mantle gracefully thanks to a tremendous work ethic, immense talent, loads of confidence and a great supporting team including his coach and former Hall of Fame player Juan Carlos Ferrero. 

Above: Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open in 2021. Photo: Yannick JAMOT (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Alacaraz, a 20-year-old phenom, was born and raised in Spain, where he trained. In his short pro career, he has already been able to amass Hall of Fame credentials. He became the youngest male to achieve the number one ranking in the Open era at 19 years, 4 months and 6 days old. He has won 12 ATP titles including two major titles at the 2022 US Open and a stunning victory over Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Wimbledon. He has won 4 Masters 1000 events: the 2022 Miami Open: the 2022 Madrid Open: the 2023 Indian Wells Open and the 2023 Madrid Open. At the 2022 Madrid Open, Alcaraz became the only teenager to beat Rafa Nadal on red clay. Florida Tennis caught up with Alacaraz at Media Day at the 2023 Miami Open. He was fresh off his victory at Indian Wells and expressed excitement about returning to Miami.

Above: Carlos Alcaraz. Autograph: Courtesy of Adam Ross Collection.

“I have great supporters here,” he said. “A lot of people supporting me. I remember last year was an unbelievable feeling with the crowd. Here there are a lot of people that speak Spanish as well. I feel like I’m playing at home.”

Off the court, Alcaraz likes to relax from the rigors of the pro tour. “I love playing golf,” he said. “I play golf with my team in every place I’m in.” Alcaraz fans would be well served to keep in mind that they can find him enjoying golf courses in their favorite city if they can’t catch up with him on the tennis court. Rafa Nadal is also an avid golfer. Let’s hope they get to play tennis on red clay again and that they hit the golf course together!

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Adam Ross is a contributing writer for Florida Tennis. He is a volunteer for the USTA Florida and the Vice-President of the Tennis Collectors of America/TCA. He welcomes your questions and comments at robinadam@comcast.net. This article also appears in the November/December 2023 issue of Florida Tennis Magazine. Be sure to subscribe for expanded coverage, exclusive interviews, and in-depth tennis news. Top Photo of Carlos Alcaraz in 2022 at Wimbledon photographed by Pete Edgeler (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED).