Carlos Alcaraz was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and identifies as a Christian. He frequently speaks of the role of religion in keeping him grounded – for example, he once paused to receive a Catholic priest’s blessing before a major match. These signs of faith suggest he embraces a Christian (specifically Roman Catholic) background.
Quick Profile: Carlos Alcaraz
| Full Name | Carlos Alcaraz Garfia |
| Date of Birth | 5 May 2003 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Profession | Professional tennis player |
| Religion | Christian (Roman Catholic) |
What Religion is Carlos Alcaraz?
Alcaraz comes from a traditional Spanish Catholic background, and he openly practices his Christian faith. He has mentioned that faith and family values keep him humble and focused in competition, a quality shared by Jannik Sinner Notably, ahead of the 2025 US Open he visited New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral and received a personal blessing from a Catholic priest. (He even shared a friendly selfie with the priest afterward.)
In late 2023 he made a pilgrimage to Mexico City’s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where he placed a rose in prayer – a customary Catholic devotional offering. These gestures underscore that religious faith plays a meaningful role for him. Observers have remarked that the blend of strong Spanish cultural roots and Christian upbringing has helped keep Alcaraz grounded despite his fame.
Early Life
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia was born on 5 May 2003 in El Palmar, Murcia, Spain. He grew up in a tennis family: his father, Carlos Sr., was a coach and club administrator at the local Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, and his mother, Virginia, supported the family in other work.
Alcaraz has three brothers (one older, two younger), and his friends affectionately call him “Carlitos” or “Charly”. He started playing tennis at age four under his father’s guidance. In 2018 (age 15) he moved to the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy in Villena to train under former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, a mentor who became his long-term coach.
Career Highlights
By his late teens, Alcaraz had burst onto the professional tennis scene. In September 2022 he won the US Open men’s singles title (beating Casper Ruud in the final), and became the youngest man ever to reach No.1 in the ATP rankings. The following year he claimed Wimbledon 2023 (defeating Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set final). In 2024 he completed the “Channel Slam” on clay and grass, winning the French Open (beating Alexander Zverev) and defending his Wimbledon title. He also reached the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics, ultimately taking the silver medal after a narrow loss to Djokovic.
By 2025 Alcaraz had won six Grand Slam singles titles in all (US Open 2022 and 2025, Wimbledon 2023–24, French Open 2024–25) and regained the No.1 ranking after his 2025 US Open victory. Throughout this period he amassed numerous ATP Masters titles and held the world #1 spot for extended stretches. He is noted for high-energy comebacks (e.g. fighting back from two sets down to win the 2025 French Open) and outstanding athleticism on court.
Personal Life
Off the court, Alcaraz keeps a relatively private personal life. He and his family are based in Murcia/Villena, and he maintains close ties with them while traveling the tour. In April 2024 he launched the Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged children in his hometown region. He is also an avid sports fan: a passionate supporter of Real Madrid football, and a follower of other Spanish athletes (for example F1 driver Fernando Alonso and MMA fighter Ilia Topuria).
In his downtime Alcaraz enjoys playing golf and even chess, and he famously “challenged” others online via a Carlos Alcaraz chess.com bot. He is noted for a calm, respectful personality; for example, in a 2025 Wimbledon match he stopped play to help a fainted spectator and later sent well-wishes to the fan’s family. Alcaraz also speaks openly about mental health and the pressures of the sport, having apologized publicly for lapses (such as breaking a racket in frustration) and discussed his emotional struggles candidly in interviews.
Awards and Honors
- ATP Year-End No.1 (2022): Became the youngest ever year-end #1 in history
- ATP Most Improved Player (2022): Voted “Most Improved” in the 2022 ATP Awards
- ATP Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (2023): Chosen by peers for fair play and professionalism
- Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year (2023): Honored by the Laureus Sports Academy for his breakthrough season
- Time 100 Next (2022): Named to TIME magazine’s list of rising stars
- Regional and National Honors: Spanish Sportsman of the Year (2022); Gold Medal of the Region of Murcia (2022); multiple “Best Athlete” awards in Murcia.
Influence and Persona
Carlos Alcaraz is widely admired as a sportsmanlike champion and a role model. In 2023 he won the ATP Sportsmanship Award, and commentators praise his courteous behavior. He has been seen helping opponents up after falls and offering assistance to others on court.
Off-court he often speaks out on issues affecting players’ welfare – for example, criticizing the excessively long tour calendar and urging Grand Slams to share revenue more fairly. He is compared in Spain to Rafael Nadal’s legacy, though both have downplayed such comparisons. Alcaraz’s charisma has earned him media attention beyond tennis (he appears in Netflix sports documentaries and has a major social media following), and in 2025 he was ranked among the world’s most marketable athletes.
Trivia
- As of 2025, Alcaraz has 6 Grand Slam titles from 7 finals (including 2022 US Open, 2023–24 Wimbledon, 2024–25 French, 2025 US Open). His 2024 French Open win made him the youngest man (age 21) to win Slam titles on all three surfaces.
- He was the first teenager to defeat both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same event (at the 2022 Madrid Open)
- He turned pro at age 14 and won the ATP Newcomer of the Year award in 2020
- He is often referred to by the nicknames “Carlitos” or “Charly” among family and friends
