almost simultaneously carlos alcaraz woke up in New York with first ‘Grand Slam’about twenty school-trained kids where the current number one tennis player makes their first pitches until recently. Conversations on the court road were always about the already historic match that many had to make an effort to see to the end. Although not all of them could see Murcian lift the trophy. “I missed the last twenty minutes,” one of them said before hitting one of the tracks of the Real Sociedad Club de Campo in the Murcian district of El Palmar.
Many, with their parents and friends, were enjoying the victory over Norwegian Casper Ruud on the giant screen on Pintor Pedro Cano street, where it has become a tradition to watch the big ‘Carlitos’ games. Others saw this from home and Kiko Navarro chose both options. And the player, who coached Alcaraz until the age of 17, had to deal with nerves for the 3 hours and 22 minutes that the match lasted. “I was there before and after because I like to see it quiet. I also had to tune in to the live radio and stayed at home with a friend. Undoubtedly, it was the game that made me the most nervous while watching Carlitos.. Look, I’ve seen a few of them and seen a lot of them as coaches… but yesterday was very special,” he explained.
It’s not a normal day in El Palmar but everything seems normal. Neighbor Carlos Alcaraz collects it’s breaking records that have been cooked months in advanceDDespite being the youngest No. 1 in the ATP standings, he is the last jewel in the crown he conquered with the US Open. There’s no doubt when you ask the nearly 200 boys and girls who train every day where Murcian started making his unexpected shots, about his favourite. And it seems Alcaraz spread one of its many virtues to all of them. Give normality to something that doesn’t have it. “People are finally absorbing it, that’s starting now. It’s clear that it never ceases to amaze us, but people enjoy it a lot, and that’s what we all have to do and get on with our normal lives. That’s what Alcaraz coach for ages 9 to 17,” says Kike Navarro.
In fact, Murcian, again from El Palmar, played a key role when he managed to find a sponsor like Postres Reina to finance his Under-10 World Cup trip. Alcaraz received its first ATP score in February 2018 at the age of 14 years and 9 months and now leads the rankings with 6,740 points. “It happened very quickly. It’s clear that you have to be realistic and see that many factors come together, such as Rafa Nadal’s physical condition or Novak Djokovic’s situation with the vaccine. You have to take some advantage of it all. The important thing is to win and it is clear that there is a number and is already a ‘Grand Slam’ holder. But yes, it was fast.”
What Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t changed in this relatively short time is his ability to show his best on big stages. He was already able to do this at a younger age and repeated it in his last two games in New York. “Mentally he was always very good, very competitive.. He really likes the big stages, the big challenges, and that’s why he was very clear that he would be successful here,” said Kiko Navarro. and he was convinced it would be fine. He likes it. The same thing happened to him as a kid when he played in the under-12 or under-14 categories at Caja Mágica, he loved to play at the Centre.”
From taking your first steps in the Real Sociedad Club de Campo to conquering the big stages. It’s a dream that kids who train just hours after their neighbors won the US Open also want to fulfill. Although El Palmar and especially the Country Club have been receiving people from different parts of the Region in recent months but also from other parts of the world. “Lots of people come and they come from outside. One family even came from Mexico this year,” said Navarro.
One of the hundreds of WhatsApp messages Carlos Alcaraz will receive in the last few hours is from his first coach. “You’ll see tomorrow,” he said. However, they will meet face to face again very soon. And this Wednesday, No. 1 in the ATP standings will join the Spanish team’s concentration to play the Davis Cup in Valencia against a Serbia that lost to Novak Djokovic at the last minute. “I’m planning to go on Friday, which might be when he plays. See you there a little bit,” admits Kiko Navarro. He will be in Valencia when they both see each other again and remember their first goals at Real Sociedad Club de Campo. And that’s where Carlos Alcaraz will begin to turn every game he plays from now on into a great scene.