Carlos Alcaraz’s father reveals how he always found ‘excuses’ to avoid his sons after tennis losses
Carlos Alcaraz, one of tennis’ brightest young stars, recently opened up about his father’s unique way of handling early tennis battles between them—and how those moments shaped their relationship both on and off the court.
In a candid and humorous reflection, Carlos Alcaraz’s father admitted he used to find “excuses” to avoid playing his sons after realizing he could no longer keep up with their growing talent.
“I’ve always been part of the tennis world. I played with Carlos when he was 12, but by 13, he could’ve easily beaten me—no doubt. Once I saw my kids starting to beat me, I’d make excuses, say something like, ‘This is as far as we go,’ and back out,” he shared with a laugh.
🧡 A Father’s Decision to Step Back
Carlos also reflected on how his dad intentionally kept his distance during formal training sessions as he grew older.
“When I was around 8 or 9, on weekends I’d ask him to hit balls with me—just an hour or so. But during the week, I trained with my coach and group. He never stepped on court when they were around,” Alcaraz recalled.
His father’s approach was intentional:
“He always wanted to respect the role of a father, not mix it with being a coach. He believed in keeping that separation—and I think it really helped me.”
🔍 The Balance Between Family and Coaching
The thoughtful separation of roles between parent and coach is something many in the tennis world admire. By maintaining boundaries, Alcaraz’s father allowed professional coaches to do their work, while preserving a supportive, pressure-free bond with his son.
