Carlos Alcaraz: The journey of an exceptional player

Carlos Alcaraz continues to amaze the tennis world and shows no intention of stopping. Through his increasingly incredible achievements, his meteoric rise to the forefront of the tennis scene proves daily to the entire world that he is here to leave his mark on the sport.

Born on May 5, 2003, in El Palmar, Spain, Carlos Alcaraz quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents of his generation. Spotted at an early age by Babolat, he notably won the Babolat Cup in 2017, an international junior tournament organized by the brand, which brought him into the spotlight. In February 2018, at just 14 years old, he defeated the world’s 293rd-ranked player, Italy’s Federico Gaio, during one of his first Futures tournaments. This early feat foreshadowed another in the following year, when the Spaniard won his first ATP circuit match in Alicante at age 15. That same year, he also reached the Wimbledon Junior quarterfinals. These impressive professional beginnings immediately showcased his extraordinary potential.

Alcaraz recalls signing his first contract with Babolat in 2013 when he was just 10 years old. He played with the same racquet, the Pure Aero, for nine years before switching in 2021 to the Pure Aero 98, which offers greater precision. “I wanted a bit more control,” he explains. “I noticed this racquet had one more string and wanted to try it out. I liked it and decided to adopt it. I love it because the ball comes off the strings quickly and it gives me both confidence and control.”

Firmly established on the professional circuit by age 17, he continued progressing and winning his first tournaments. But it was in 2022, at just 19 years old, that Carlos Alcaraz made history by winning the US Open, becoming the youngest world No. 1 in tennis history. This triumph marked the start of a series of impressive successes that confirmed his status as a tennis prodigy. In 2023, shortly after announcing a contract extension with Babolat until 2030, Alcaraz maintained his victorious momentum. He added six titles to his record, including two prestigious Masters 1000 victories at Indian Wells and Madrid, as well as a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, fulfilling his lifelong dream of winning the British tournament.

The 2024 season has been exceptional for Carlitos, who claimed the French Open, securing his first title on the clay courts of Paris. Armed with his Pure Aero 98 racquet, he became the youngest player to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces—clay, grass, and hard courts—further solidifying his status as a global tennis phenomenon. Constantly chasing records, Alcaraz continued his dream season by winning the Wimbledon tournament for the second consecutive year. Barely recovering from these positive emotions, the player returned to the Parisian clay for the most significant summer event, held every four years. At the end of an exceptional tournament, the Spanish prodigy earned a silver medal—the first of many in what promises to be a long and illustrious career for the 21-year-old.

Always smiling and positive on the court, Carlos Alcaraz embodies a new style of ambitious, offensive, and spectacular tennis. Now a role model for young players, he continually brings a refreshing energy to the tennis world. Far more than a young tennis prodigy, Carlos Alcaraz is steadily establishing himself as a future legend of the sport. Motivated to write history, passionate, and ambitious, the future looks bright for Carlos Alcaraz.

Team babolat pro players may play with a customized or different model than the equipment depicted.