Carlos Alcaraz is one of the biggest sports stars on the planet, but he is adamant that has not changed the dynamic between him and his family.
The 21-year-old already wowed fans worldwide by winning two Grand Slam titles before 2024 started. These came at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, where he overcame Novak Djokovic in an epic final.
Incredibly, the Spaniard has managed an even more significant breakthrough in the last few months. He won another Grand Slam final in five sets against Alexander Zverev at the French Open, denying the German his first major title in the process.
His maiden title at Roland-Garros was followed by retaining his Wimbledon crown to claim a fourth Grand Slam title. Alcaraz produced an extraordinary display to sweep aside Djokovic for a second year in a row, this time in straight sets.
The world No. 3's even greater success in the last few months could be down to his greater discipline. Alcaraz has spoken about his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, denying him flashy shots despite fans loving how flamboyant he is.
Another reason for the two-time Wimbledon champion's results is his ability to beat Djokovic. A recently inducted Hall of Famer, Vijay Amritraj, said Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have worked out how to beat the Serbian.
Many famous stars in sports and other disciplines change after becoming famous, and not always for the better. But Alcaraz has spoken about how family and his relationship with his brothers are more important to him than tennis.
In an interview with ABC Sports, Alcaraz said his two younger brothers do not view him as a famous tennis player but as their older brother who is there for them as a family member.
"I think they enjoy watching me. They feel my achievements are theirs . They support me every day . They see me as the older brother, not as the famous tennis player who has been number 1 or who has won Grand Slams, but as the older brother who has to take care of them."
Alcaraz also spoke honestly about how much he misses simple family life. When he is not traveling the world playing tennis, the 21-year-old prefers to do the small things he misses out on when he is not home.
"Being at home, calm, with my people. Without doing much, because at home I enjoy not doing big things, but doing the simplest and most natural things. That's what characterizes me and what I enjoy the most . That's what I miss the most."
Finally, while Alcaraz loves tennis, he outlined how being a role model to his younger brothers as a human being means more to him than his achievements on the court.
"I love tennis but I love even more being the older brother of my little ones. Being the role model for them, not as a tennis player but a person. That is the most important thing — to help them learn about the things that matter in life."
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