At just 22 years old, Carlos Alcaraz has made significant strides in the world of tennis, becoming the second-youngest man to achieve six Grand Slam singles titles. The only player to accomplish this feat at a younger age is his former Team Europe captain, Bjorn Borg. In 2025, Alcaraz has truly come into his own, showcasing his exceptional skills and determination on the court.
Alcaraz arrived in San Francisco for the prestigious Laver Cup following an impressive performance that saw him clinch back-to-back titles at the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. Both victories came at the expense of rival Jannik Sinner, helping Alcaraz reclaim the coveted No.1 ranking for the first time in two years. With a remarkable 61 wins and seven titles this year, he currently leads the tour in both categories.
During a press conference at the Chase Center, Alcaraz expressed his gratitude and dedication to reaching this pinnacle of success. “My whole life, I’ve been working so hard to be in this position,” he stated, sporting his close-cropped, silvery-white hair. “Taking care of my tennis, resting well, everything; working on and off the court the best I can. It’s not an easy path. You have to work 100 percent every day. Even on the days you don’t want to train, you have to go for it. It’s been a really long, tough path, but really beautiful, as well.”
Alcaraz is set to lead a formidable Team Europe that includes talented players such as Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Jakub Mensik, and Flavio Cobolli. His first-year captain, Yannick Noah, praised Alcaraz, saying, “He’s near perfect. His game is amazing for 22: so fast, he attacks, forehand, backhand, he’s quick. Mentally, he’s extremely strong.”
Last year, Alcaraz made his debut at the Laver Cup in Berlin, where he contributed a team-leading eight points, including a decisive victory over Team World’s Taylor Fritz with a score of 6-2, 7-5. Andre Agassi, the opposing captain, recognizes the challenge Alcaraz presents on the court, stating, “We’ve come off a generation with Novak, Roger, and Rafa, and if you take the best of what each of them do, it’s like it’s turned into one person.” Agassi highlighted Alcaraz's ability to defend like Novak, possess Federer’s finesse, and generate speed akin to Rafa.
Growing up, Alcaraz idolized the Big Three of tennis. “Rafa was my idol since I was a little kid, the way he approached the game. And, obviously, Roger, the way he played, the style, the elegance he had on the court,” Alcaraz shared, reflecting on his early inspirations. He admitted that he was uncertain about his future in tennis when he first began his journey, especially when former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero came to scout him in southeastern Spain. “I didn’t know, to be honest. A lot of players, when I was 13, 14 years old, were better than me,” he recalled.
Alcaraz’s experience at the Laver Cup has transformed from uncertainty to excitement. “It was weird,” he said with a laugh. “My rivals, one week ago I was fighting against them on the tennis court, and now they were my teammates. But I loved it. I loved the energy, the atmosphere. We’re all together just to try to bring the Cup to Europe.” He emphasized the importance of bonding with teammates off the court, stating, “To get to know them off the court, as well, was a great experience for me. I couldn’t miss it this year.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s journey in 2025 exemplifies hard work, dedication, and a passion for tennis. As he continues to lead Team Europe in the Laver Cup and beyond, fans can expect to witness the rise of one of tennis's brightest stars.
