Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis star and world No. 2, revealed in a Financial Times interview on August 1, 2025, that his mother, Virginia Garfia Escandón, frequently reprimands him for his obsession with collecting sneakers, a habit that starkly contrasts with the ascetic discipline of Novak Djokovic. “I’m a complete sneaker fanatic. I love them,” Alcaraz admitted. “And there isn’t any space left at home. My mother tells me off because I come back from every tournament with more sneakers and she says, ‘No, don’t bring more, there’s nowhere to put them.’” This lighthearted anecdote, shared during a break from the National Bank Open in Montreal, highlights Alcaraz’s playful personality and his refusal to emulate Djokovic’s famously austere lifestyle, exemplified by the Serbian’s reported celebration of a Grand Slam win with a single square of chocolate, as noted in the same interview.
Alcaraz’s approach to life off the court diverges sharply from Djokovic’s monastic self-denial. While Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is known for his regimented diet and intense focus, Alcaraz embraces a more relaxed attitude, saying, “I’ll eat a hamburger before, during, or after a tournament. And I always allow myself some dessert, some chocolate—that’s no problem for me.” His post-tournament indulgence, including a 2023 Ibiza holiday after Wimbledon, contrasts with Djokovic’s minimal celebrations, underscoring Alcaraz’s desire to remain “a normal guy,” as he told The Sunday Times in July 2024. Living with his parents and brothers in El Palmar, Murcia, Alcaraz credits his family for keeping him grounded, despite his five Grand Slam titles, including the 2025 French Open.
The sneaker obsession, while a source of maternal frustration, reflects Alcaraz’s youthful exuberance, a trait that sets him apart from Djokovic’s disciplined persona. Posts on X, like @TennisFanatic22’s, celebrated Alcaraz’s relatability, with one user joking, “Carlos getting scolded by his mum for sneakers is peak Carlitos energy.” As Alcaraz prepares for the Cincinnati Open and US Open, where he’ll pair with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles, his refusal to mimic Djokovic’s rigidity highlights a unique approach that balances elite performance with a zest for life, even if it means a few extra sneakers cluttering his family’s home.
