Carlos Alcaraz wants to follow in Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's footsteps by being 'so kind all the time'
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By Tom Cantoni
Updated 04/04/2025 at 18:15 GMT+1
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Carlos Alcaraz has revealed he wants to follow in the footsteps of his idols, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, in being "so kind all the time". The 21-year-old tennis sensation, who has won four Grand Slams, says he can inspire future generations by being a good person both on and off the court. "I really want to be like these guys, and I want to be the same for the kids," he said.
Carlos Alcaraz celebra un punto
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Carlos Alcaraz has quickly risen up the ranks to become one of the most exciting and talented players in world tennis - and now wants to emulate his idols.
The 21-year-old Spaniard already has four major titles to his name, including back-to-back Wimbledon championships in 2023 and 2024.
His physical flair on the court is clear to see, and he is already being tipped to potentially become one of the all-time greats - his next shot at major success being to defend his French Open title at the end of May, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
But success for Alcaraz is about more than just lifting coveted silverware.
The Murcia-born talent has revealed how he wants to match his heroes, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, in being "so kind all the time" - as well as performing at the highest level.
Speaking on the Louis Vuitton [Extended] podcast, he was asked how he could be an inspiration for future generations: "I think the most important thing is being kind, being a good person.
"For me, it’s the most important thing. And of course, behave well on the court. Give good values when you’re on court and off the court, that could be a good influence for the kids.
"When I see some players being so rude, I feel like, ‘What happened with this guy?’
"When I see one of my idols, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer… you know, being so kind all the time, and performing pretty well on the court…
"When I started, I felt they were being such great guys for me. I was, ‘Okay, I really want to be like these guys’, and I want to be the same for the kids."
Following some astonishing breakout years, Alcaraz’s upwards trajectory has taken a bit of a knock in 2025.
He has claimed just one title so far this year at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam and hasn’t qualified for any other finals.
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Further questions started being asked when Alcaraz was knocked out in the first round of the 2025 Miami Open by David Goffin, but TNT Sports expert Tim Henman shut down any talk that the young Spaniard was in the midst of a crisis.
Alcaraz credits both his father and his coach for helping him to become not only a high-performing tennis player, but also a good person off the court.
Juan Carlos Ferrero has been training him since he was 16 years old, following his own professional playing career.
"Probably thanks to Juan Carlos, I’m the player I am right now," he added. "We spend a lot of time together, we travel a lot, and thanks to that, I could learn a lot from him as a person, as a player.
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"He told me the importance of being a good person off the court and the things that you’re doing outside are going to have a huge impact on the court.
"Then, of course, my father, who used to play tennis when he was young. His passion, his life is tennis, that’s what he taught me.
"Playing tennis with passion, with love. If I choose that tennis is my life, do it with passion. I think that’s a pretty good lesson I learned from him."
Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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