logo
Carlos Alcaraz's inner circle that inspired French Open win after heartbreaking admission

Carlos Alcaraz's inner circle that inspired French Open win after heartbreaking admission

Wales Onlinea day ago

Carlos Alcaraz's inner circle that inspired French Open win after heartbreaking admission
Carlos Alcaraz retained his French Open title by beating Jannik Sinner in a five-set epic in Paris on Sunday, with the Spaniard's team instrumental in his success
French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has thrived thanks to the support of his family, friends and colleagues
(Image: Getty Images )
Tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz took his career to the next level following a remarkable comeback victory over Jannik Sinner to successfully defend his French Open title. Sunday's triumph wasn't just a solo achievement, however, but also a testament to the dedicated team behind the young star.
Alcaraz found himself at an emotional juncture earlier this year and was contemplating taking time off after struggling for form. His resilience shone through as he recovered from two sets down to claim a 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) victory against Sinner.

"I will [listen to] my close people and [when] my team have things to say to me, and that's all that matters," he said in April amid mounting pressures. Clearly, his strategy to concentrate on the counsel of his nearest and dearest has paid dividends, which was evident in the 22-year-old's impressive return to the pinnacle of tennis this weekend.

Who is Carlos Alcaraz's agent?
Albert Molina took Alcaraz under his wing after persuading his parents when the tennis prodigy was just 12. And he often treats the five-time major winner as if he were his own son.
Their bond was beautifully depicted in the 2025 Netflix docuseries 'My Way'. And it demonstrated that while the mentor-protege connection can be demanding at times, it is also immensely rewarding.
"I tried to explain to him that it might not be the best idea to go to Ibiza for three or four days on holiday when he had Queen's the following week and then Wimbledon," said Molina in one scene. He was also shown reprimanding his client after Alcaraz arrived late for a sponsorship event.
Article continues below
Alcaraz's agent, Albert Molina, discovered the youngster when he was just 11
(Image: Getty Images )
"That day I got very angry with him, but not because of punctuality," he continued. "It bothered me not because of being late. For me, it was a lack of respect towards other people, and that's what I cannot tolerate with Carlos. It doesn't matter if you're No. 1 in the world. Nobody has to wait for you, Carlos."
He further emphasised the personal sacrifices he makes for Alcaraz's career, including missing out on time with his family. That includes going long periods without seeing his wife, 16-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.

Molina also highlighted that he can't spend as much time as he'd like with his elderly parents and often spends his birthday, which coincides with Wimbledon, alone. However, his connections within the tennis community were particularly crucial in securing a star coach to oversee Alcaraz's development.
Who is Carlos Alcaraz's coach?
Former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero has been working with the player for six years
(Image: Getty Images )
The coaching influence of Juan Carlos Ferrero has been paramount, beginning his mentorship with Alcaraz at just 16. It was agent Molina who persuaded the ex-world No. 1 to observe the young talent at a Futures tournament, leading to a partnership that has only grown stronger.

"I think his strength is keeping believing all the time until the last ball is gone. And he tries and tries," said Ferrero after Alcaraz's second French Open title on Sunday. "It was a thing [when] he was Love-40 in the fourth, this 5-3 [game], and he looked at me and still made [a motion to] me like this with the racquet, like saying, 'I'm still here,' saying, 'Vamos.'
"I'm not going to say that I was believing that he was able to recover from that 5-3, Love-40. But one more time with Carlos, everything is possible, and he did it again. Amazing [achievement]."
But Alcaraz has more figures behind the scenes helping to keep him on the path to greatness. Coach Samuel Lopez and physio Fran Rubio are newer additions to his team, while fitness guru Juanjo Moreno and personal trainer Alberto Lledo have worked with him since 2018 and 2020, respectively.

Who are Carlos Alcaraz's parents?
Alcaraz's dad was once his coach and mentor
(Image: Getty Images )
Carlos Alcaraz grew up in a family where tennis was a familiar pursuit; his father, a passionate player in his younger years, had to give up the sport due to financial constraints. Meanwhile, mother Virginia made sacrifices and worked hard as a sales assistant at IKEA to help fund her son's dream.
"I loved tennis since the beginning," he told Sports Illustrated in 2022. "I mean my father bought me my first racket, and the first time that I played tennis, I fell in love."

Having Carlos Sr as a coach at Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia proved advantageous for Alcaraz's rise in tennis. Alcaraz's grandfather, Carlos Alcaraz Lerma, occasionally attends his matches, showcasing the player's deep gratitude for his family's role in his success.
"For me, it's amazing to have you here supporting me," he said following his triumphant 2024 French Open campaign. "Since I was a little kid, as I said many times, I was running from school to put the TV on to watch this tournament on the TV, now I am lifting the trophy in front of all of you."
Does Carlos Alcaraz have siblings?
Alvaro Alcaraz, Carlos' brother, often accompanies his younger sibling on tour
(Image: Getty Images )
Article continues below
Alcaraz has two younger brothers and one elder sibling, who often travels with him on tour. Alvaro, who is often seen lending a hand as Alcaraz's hitting partner, seems to share an exceptionally close bond with his pioneering brother.
"I have my brother here as well," the five-time major champion said in an address to Alvaro following a match at the 2023 Cincinnati Open. "It's great to have you here, supporting me every day, to make me be a better person every day, learning from you as well, so thank you very much for being with me."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

French Open ratings soar in TNT's first year
French Open ratings soar in TNT's first year

Reuters

time19 minutes ago

  • Reuters

French Open ratings soar in TNT's first year

June 10 - Coco Gauff's French Open victory over Aryna Sabalenka was the most-watched women's final at Roland Garros since 2016. Overall, ratings for the full tournament were up 25 percent in its first year on TNT and TruTV over the 2024 marks on NBC and Tennis Channel. American star Gauff's three-set victory over Sabalenka of Belarus averaged 1.47 million viewers, up 94 percent than the previous year (756,000) when Poland's Iga Swiatek defeated Italy's Jasmine Paolini. Serena Williams defeated Spain's Garbine Muguruza in the 2016 finals when an average of 1.5 millions tuned in. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz's marathon five-set victory over Italy's Jannik Sinner drew 1.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched men's final since Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 finals (1.9 million). Alcaraz of Spain needed five hours and 29 minutes to outduel Sinner in a drama-filled match. This was the first season of TNT's 10-year, $650 million deal to televise the French Open. --Field Level Media

I landed a massive Netflix role after I dyed my hair ginger
I landed a massive Netflix role after I dyed my hair ginger

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

I landed a massive Netflix role after I dyed my hair ginger

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NETFLIX sensation Leah Byrne has revealed how she became a real head-turner – after deciding to go red. The newcomer from Yoker, Glasgow, has been the standout as DC Rose Dickson in the new cop drama Dept. Q which rocketed to the top of the streaming service's charts. 3 The newcomer has been the standout as DC Rose Dickson Credit: PA 3 Leah believes the highlight of her career came after she ditched her natural locks Credit: Jamie Simpson/Netflix 3 The series is based on the books Department Q by bestselling author Jussi Adler-Olsen But Leah, 28, believes the highlight of her career so far came after she decided to ditch her natural dark locks for more of a copper-tinged Scottish look. She says: 'My hair's normally dark brunette but I've dyed it for about three years now as I just felt like doing it. 'But yeah, since going copper, I think I definitely have a more Scottish look going on that has helped me get noticed because up until now I have mainly been working in theatre.' One of the first major TV jobs Leah landed as a redhead was for Tennent's Lager's Ooft campaign which ran last year in the build-up to the Euros Finals in Germany. And that proved to be a big surprise for the cast and crew of Dept. Q, which was filmed almost exclusively in Edinburgh last year. She says: 'While we were filming, the football was on and the crew were in the pub next to the set when I started getting messages like, 'We've just seen you in a Tennent's ad'. That surprised them.' But playing police cadet Dickson has proved to be her big break as she does not look out of place beside an all-star cast including fellow Scots Kelly Macdonald, Shirley Henderson, Jamie Sives, Kate Dickie and Mark Bonnar. In fact Leah's role alongside Alexej Manvelov, as police station civilian worker Akram Salim, proves to be pivotal in the series which features Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck - the cop tasked with setting up the new cold case unit staffed by a bunch of police misfits. The pair even appear in the promo poster for the show alongside former Downton Abbey fave Goode. Leah says: 'When we saw we were in the poster we started texting each other saying, 'We've made it'. It's so cool. A dream come true.' Clash of Clans coming to Netflix in new animated TV series Although Leah's older brother Nathan is also an actor, the pair do not come from a showbiz background with dad Pete working as a postie and mum Liz a retired call centre worker. She says: 'There were no youth groups in Yoker so I used to get the bus into the city where I went to the Scottish Youth Theatre from when I was 11. 'I started those classes because I was the most shy child. I would just cry at the drop of a hat. I hated socialising, hated doing anything but joining the Youth Theatre gave me that bit of confidence I needed.' Leah went on to study at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating in 2019. She adds: 'I met people at the Youth Theatre who believed in me and really pushed me to make acting a job. So thanks to them, I'm sitting here now.' But Leah admits she was left starstruck during her first days on set alongside the likes of Trainspotting star Kelly, who plays therapist Dr Rachel Irving, however, she did well not to show it. She explains: 'I did a self-tape (audition video) about two years ago now, and I remember reading the script and being like, 'This is amazing, this is so big, like, I really hope I get it'. 'Then I got the part which was like Christmas for me, just waiting for it to start filming. 'But when I got the full cast list through, I saw that not only would I be working with Matthew Goode himself, but also it was a list of just about every massive Scottish star there is. 'I remember meeting Kelly Macdonald and thinking back to when I was maybe like seven or eight years old and going to see Nanny McPhee in the cinema with my mum on a rainy bank holiday. 'She was Miss Evangeline. She's been part of my life, and then I was next to her in the make-up trailer getting my hair done. 'Did I mention that to her? No. I just said, 'Hi, how are you?'. But I'm sure if I had, she would have been cool because everybody who worked on this show was lovely.' The Netflix series is based on the books Department Q by bestselling Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, with their Copenhagen setting swapped for the cobbled streets of Edinburgh. And the show certainly shows the tourist capital in a different light, kicking off with an explosive start when three cops are gunned down at a crime scene. Leah says: 'I think that's what the show does so well, is that we're not afraid to go to some dark and quite intense places. 'But I think also mirroring that, there's some really, really funny comedic moments too. Comedy shines through when you're in the darkest of moments.' 'I don't think you can have one without the other. And so I think that's what makes the show so special. It goes from being intense, but then the next scene you'll be laughing about something silly.' She adds: 'That's what I love about Rose and the show in general. She is so colourful. She's like a beam of light that kind of jumps through.' While Leah is definitely one of the country's most exciting acting talents, she is happy to admit that Rose's hairstyle helped her grab the limelight in a show packed with big names. She says: 'I love Rose's hair. That was Lizzi (Lawson Zeiss), our hair and makeup designer, who found this amazing reference photo of a model with gorgeous tight, curly, ginger hair. 'We both fell in love with it and tried to recreate it, but I had quite short hair at the time. So Lizzi decided to just curl my hair and see what happens. 'By the end of it I had this gorgeous mop of curls that just felt so right. I then did a screen test and everyone said it felt like Rose.' And despite her blossoming stardom, Leah has no intentions of going incognito anytime soon. She adds: 'Ever since I've dyed my hair people have been so kind about it. I can't imagine myself without it now. So the copper is going nowhere - it's here to stay.' All nine episodes of Dept. Q are available to stream now on Netflix.

'I felt like...' - Iceland goalkeeper reveals what surprised him most about Scotland at Hampden
'I felt like...' - Iceland goalkeeper reveals what surprised him most about Scotland at Hampden

Scotsman

time3 hours ago

  • Scotsman

'I felt like...' - Iceland goalkeeper reveals what surprised him most about Scotland at Hampden

A poor Scotland performance was punished by Iceland as they lost 3-1 at Hampden on Friday. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Goalkeeper Cieran Slicker will want to start for Scotland against Liechtenstein on Monday after his nightmare debut in the 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland at Hampden on Friday night, according to to his opposite number Elias Rafn Olafsson. The 22-year-old debutant was thrown into the action after just six minutes at the national stadium when goalkeeper Angus Gunn appeared to injure his ankle when he came to collect a cross, while fellow stopper Robby McCrorie suffered a thigh injury in the warm-up. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, in the opposite goal, Olafsson was hailed as one of Iceland's top performers after making a series of excellent saves to deny George Hirst and, latterly John McGinn, as Scotland pushed to get back into the game, leading the FC Midtjylland man to admit the line between hero and villain is marginal when it comes to being a 'lonely' goalkeeper. Cieran Slicker had a nightmare debut for Scotland and was at fault for all three of Iceland's goals in the 3-1 defeat at Hampden. | Getty Images 'Of course, it's always tough,' said the Icelandic goalkeeper. 'Especially when you come into the game cold off the bench. Then when you come in and make some mistakes, it's hard to get back into the game. I feel empathy for him. It's not the preparation you want for your debut, to not know you're coming in this early in the game as well. It's difficult. It's not going to be the most fun of nights, but it's about keeping your head up. It's just about now going to the hotel, forget about this and move on.' Asked if he'd ever had a similar experience himself, the 25-year-old was quick to recall his own error in the Europa League clash against FCSB last November, where he gifted the Romanian outfit a goal just three seconds into the second-half of the game when his clearance was charged down by Daniel Bîrligea. Explaining what he did to get over the mistake that saw his side fall to a 2-0 defeat, Olafsson believes Slicker must simply get back on the horse as quickly as possible, and backed him to start for Steve Clarke's side against Liechtenstein on Monday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It probably is [the best thing for him to play again on Monday] to be honest,' said the Iceland international. 'To come into the game and know you're going to play. That's 100% the best thing, in my opinion. I had one in the Europa League game. I don't know if you've seen it. It's a pretty big mistake from kick-off, but that's how it is. Elias Rafn Olafsson in action for FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. | Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima 'People see the mistakes. You have to be strong mentally for that. You just have to be honest. It's a mistake by you. You just have to be honest and forget about it. It's a part of the game. When we make mistakes, it's very obvious — it leads to a goal. It's a bit of a different position to the outfield players. You hope you make them in training, not in the games. But you can't always. It was not his day today. It was a hard game to come into. I feel it's hard making any debut, coming in when you don't expect to come in as a goalkeeper off the bench.' His country's first ever victory on Scottish soil, the imposing 6ft 7in goalkeeper admits the win was vitally important to Iceland as he reflected on his own performance in Mount Florida and explained what surprised him most about Scotland's display. 'It's a really big one, especially with the new things we're trying to build,' said Olafsson. 'It worked out pretty well. Apart from the last 20 minutes where we fell back a little bit trying to keep the ball a little bit, it went well. It was really nice to play in front of the Scottish fans as well. It was a nice experience. It was definitely one of the most fun ones. It really was. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store