**Carlos Alcaraz Credits Inner Circle for Remarkable French Open Triumph**
Carlos Alcaraz’s astonishing resilience saw him claim his second consecutive French Open title with an epic five-set victory against Jannik Sinner on Sunday. While the Spaniard’s determination on clay captivated crowds in Paris, those closest to the 22-year-old say the win is as much a testament to his support network as his own undeniable talent.
Earlier this year, Alcaraz confronted a difficult period in his career. Uncharacteristic struggles on the court left him contemplating time away from tennis, admitting to feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of top-level sport. Key to pulling him from this emotional low, he insists, has been a tightly knit group of family, friends, and mentors—each playing a pivotal role in guiding his journey.
“My team and my family, their words are really what matters to me,” Alcaraz shared, reflecting on the lessons learned in recent months. His comments reinforce a philosophy that has shaped his rapid climb: trust the advice of those in his inner circle, regardless of external pressures or expectations from the wider tennis community.
One of Alcaraz’s most significant influences is his long-serving agent, Albert Molina. Molina recognised Alcaraz’s potential when the prodigy was barely twelve years old, persuading the tennis player’s parents to allow him to nurture the youngster’s career. The bond between player and agent, often likened to that of father and son, is well-documented—most recently in the Netflix docuseries ‘My Way’. Molina’s no-nonsense guidance extends beyond managerial duties, often emphasising humility and respect, regardless of Alcaraz’s status as a world-beater.
Molina recalls instances of holding Alcaraz accountable, ranging from travel decisions ahead of major tournaments to punctuality at key events. His willingness to make personal sacrifices for Alcaraz’s career, including missing precious time with his own family and marking birthdays away from home, speaks volumes about his dedication. Such unwavering commitment behind the scenes has, by all accounts, bolstered Alcaraz’s growth as both a sportsman and a figure in the public eye.
Equally crucial has been the expertise of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, himself a former world number one. The partnership began when Alcaraz was just sixteen, and Ferrero was persuaded by Molina to assess the youngster’s potential at a small Futures event. The rest, as they say, is history. Ferrero now praises Alcaraz’s never-say-die attitude and extraordinary ability to fight back from precarious situations—such as his latest Roland Garros escape from two sets down.
“It’s unbelievable how he keeps believing until the very end,” Ferrero remarked after the final. He pointed to key moments, including Alcaraz’s recovery from near-defeat, as evidence of the player’s mental fortitude—a quality sharpened by the unwavering support of those around him.
Alcaraz’s broader entourage includes coach Samuel Lopez and physiotherapist Fran Rubio, as well as long-standing fitness consultants Juanjo Moreno and Alberto Lledo. These professionals ensure the champion is physically and mentally prepared for the gruelling demands of the tennis circuit.
On the family front, tennis runs deep in the Alcaraz lineage. Carlos’s father, a keen player and erstwhile coach, was forced to set aside his own ambitions due to financial hardships but channelled his energy into supporting his son. Alcaraz’s mother, Virginia, worked tirelessly, even taking a job at IKEA, to help fund her child’s aspirations. Grandfather Carlos Alcaraz Lerma and three brothers similarly offer unwavering encouragement, with eldest brother Álvaro frequently acting as a hitting partner during tournaments.
Following his latest triumph, Alcaraz emotionally acknowledged his family’s sacrifices and support over the years. He reminisced over childhood days spent racing home from school to watch Roland Garros, never imagining he’d one day lift the trophy himself.
The tightly woven fabric of Alcaraz’s inner circle, blending professional oversight with heartfelt family backing, seems to be a defining factor in his ongoing success on tennis’s grandest stages. As he continues to etch his name into the sport’s history books, it is clear that this victory, like those before it, is a collective achievement—shared by all those who have shaped and supported him, on and off the court.