Early Signs of Greatness: What Made Young Carlos Alcaraz Special

Key Points

• Natural Talent from Day One:
  At just five years old, Carlos showed rare agility, coordination, and feel for the racket—returning balls effortlessly from anywhere on the court.

• Unique Anticipation:
  He read the ball faster than other kids—anticipating shots half a second early, which Santos believes is a key trait that separates top players.

• Intrinsic Motivation and Joy:
  The biggest challenge was keeping him motivated long-term. Santos created a group training environment that fostered freedom and joy without stifling his creativity.

• Freedom Within Structure:
  Carlos thrived when given space to be himself—expressive, spontaneous, and imaginative—while still learning discipline around punctuality, order, and respect for the court.

• Rapid Learner with Pressure Resilience:
  Technically, he absorbed feedback instantly—whether verbal or through video—and corrected quickly. He handled pressure like a pro, even at a young age, playing fearlessly under tough scorelines.

• Loved Performing for a Crowd:
  Carlos enjoyed attention and pressure. Whether it was a local crowd or a packed stadium, he seemed to feed off the energy and never shrank from big moments.

• No Fear of Failure or Rankings:
  From the beginning, he played without fear of losing, without anxiety over rankings or opponents. That fearless mentality remains a core part of his game today.