From El Palmar to New York, Carlos Alcaraz has vaulted from world position 491, a rank he wore four years ago, to No. 1 in the ATP rankings, a leap that follows his victory in the United States Open. It marked his first Grand Slam final and crowned him as the youngest player to reach the top in more than nineteen years. This ascent stands as a record-filled milestone for a young athlete whose ascent began with a racket at age three.
What fuels this extraordinary rise is a blend of hard work, relentless passion, and natural talent. Alcaraz has set his sights on becoming not just a professional tennis player, but a champion who continually pushes for higher goals.
natural talent
Early signs pointed toward tennis as a family affair. His father, Carlos, was deeply involved in the sport, directing a school and coaching on the courts of Real Sociedad de Campo in El Palmar. He recalls asking for tournament registrations when his son was barely five, though the formal entries were not yet possible at that age. The first official federative record came when Alcaraz was eight, allowing him to compete as a junior. His father kept coaching him until he turned fourteen. Discovering his potential at the Les Petits As tournament in France, his path crossed with the Juan Carlos Ferrero academy after his manager suggested joining that program.
a decisive change
The evolution of Alcaraz at the Equelite Villena academy proved spectacular. From his earliest steps on the court, it became clear that he possessed a rare blend of talent and drive. When the training tempo slowed, a coach remarked that, as a player, he had all the tools, and he might become No. 1 and a Grand Slam champion. A fellow top player, Alexander Zverev, publicly backed his potential and offered support on his professional journey. This Sunday, Ferrero and his team watched those early predictions crystallize as Alcaraz reached new heights. The coach insisted that the Grand Slam final would not be the first or last big moment in his career and urged him to seize the opportunity. If success followed, the final would be one more milestone in a long career ahead, a sentiment echoed by prominent scouts and analysts who observed his performance. A respected coach shared the moment with Eurosport, celebrating Alcaraz’s determination and belief in himself.
❤️ pic.twitter.com/DKAeXNY6Hc
– Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) September 12, 2022
lab work
The collaboration behind Alcaraz’s rise extended beyond the player alone. Ferrero became a guiding parental figure in effect, shaping a broader team that included physiotherapists Juanjo Moreno, Sergio Hernández and Fran Rubio, physician Juanjo López, Alberto Lledó, and others who contributed to the development of technique, physical conditioning, and mental fortitude. Former Ferrero coach Antonio Martínez Cascales, physics coach Álex Sánchez, and psychologist Isabel Balaguer joined forces to fine-tune every aspect of the game, creating a comprehensive program that aligned talent with disciplined preparation.
From El Palmar to New York, Alcaraz’s journey remains a testament to how a young player can climb from the depths of the rankings to the pinnacle through a well-supported, holistic approach. His trajectory—driven by dedication, a strong support system, and an unshakable belief in his abilities—illustrates what it takes to reach the top in modern professional tennis.