Key Takeaways
- Carlos Alcaraz revealed that watching the television drama Suits inspired an alternate ambition: “After watching it, I was like, ‘If I wasn’t a tennis player, I’d love to be a lawyer,’” with Alex de Minaur sharing a similar sentiment.
- Despite his hypothetical legal interest, Alcaraz recalled dreaming of playing at Roland Garros from age 11: “One day, that’ll be me. One day, I’ll play here at Roland-Garros.”
- Emphasizing the importance of disconnecting through golf and normal life, Alcaraz warned: “You can’t live thinking only about tennis, or you’d end up burnt out.”
Legal ambitions inspired by television
Carlos Alcaraz has rapidly established himself at the top of men’s tennis, but the Spaniard recently reflected on the path he might have walked had a racket never been in his hand. During an ATP video feature exploring the alternative professions players would choose, Alcaraz bypassed typical sports or corporate answers to highlight a specific interest in the courtroom.
Rather than traditional academic interest, his fascination stemmed directly from watching the hit legal drama series Suits. Alcaraz explained how the show shaped his thoughts on life away from the tour: “After watching it, I was like, ‘If I wasn’t a tennis player, I’d love to be a lawyer,’” he revealed.
Australian competitor Alex de Minaur echoed that sentiment in the same feature, admitting the very same show sparked his interest in the profession. “It’s probably got a lot to do with watching ‘Suits,’” De Minaur said, before humorously adding: “I don’t know how I would go with all the studying. If I could get away without the studying part, then I’m sure I would choose to be a lawyer.”
Childhood dreams and major success
Despite his hypothetical fondness for law, Alcaraz never truly wavered in his childhood determination to reach the pinnacle of professional tennis. Having picked up the game as a young boy, he routinely watched the sport’s biggest stages with an ambition to play on them.
A visit to Roland Garros at age 11 cemented his drive early on. Recalling his emotions while watching the clay-court Grand Slam, Alcaraz remembered promising himself: “One day, that’ll be me. One day, I’ll play here at Roland-Garros.” That youthful declaration later turned into reality when he captured the title in Paris alongside his earlier crowns at the 2022 US Open and Wimbledon.
Alcaraz stressed the importance of pursuing those lofty goals earlier this year when speaking in Spain: “In my personal case, I always wanted to be a professional tennis player, to be number one, to win Grand Slam titles, and nobody took that dream away from me,” he noted. “The main thing is to believe in what you want to do. You have to dream big. No matter how big the dream seems, don’t let anyone take that dream away from you.”
Finding balance and stepping away from the court
While the former world No. 1 remains dedicated to fighting rival Jannik Sinner for top honors, he places considerable value on living a grounded life when his schedule permits. Returning home to Murcia allows him to spend time with family and friends, play video games, and enjoy music.
Golf has also become a vital escape for the Spanish star during taxing weeks on tour. “It gives me a lot of calm. It’s a very different, quieter sport that forces you to think and be patient,” Alcaraz explained earlier this season. “It also helps me release tension and disconnect from the pressure of competition.”
Taking that downtime serves as a protective barrier against the demands of the sport, with Alcaraz observing: “You can’t live thinking only about tennis, or you’d end up burnt out.” That perspective proved particularly valuable during the 2026 campaign, when a right wrist injury suffered at the Barcelona Open sidelined him for more than 4 months and kept him out of Roland Garros and Wimbledon before his return at the US Open and Laver Cup.
ATP Tokyo - Carlos Alcaraz's projected path
Alcaraz in Tokyo, ranking, and results in 2026
Ranked no.3, Alcaraz owns an overall 29-4 record in 2026. The Spaniard is competing in Tokyo where he managed to beat the world no.34 Alex Michelsen 7-6(1) 4-6 6-1.
Carlos Alcaraz will come up against the world no.10 Alex De Minaur in the Round Robin on Unknown at 5:00 pm on Court 1. Their actual record is 6-0 for Alcaraz.
Carlos clinched 2 titles in 2026 at the Australian Open and Doha.
The Spaniard won 27 titles in his career: 10 on hard courts, 11 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
