A charming Spanish hamlet witnessed the birth of tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz: The Tennis Prodigy from El Palmar, Spain
In the heart of Murcia, southern Spain, lies the picturesque village of El Palmar. This unique heritage town, spanning over 26 km², is nestled between the Sierra del Puerto mountain range and the Guadalentín river. El Palmar, also known as Lugar de Don Juan, is home to approximately 24,000 inhabitants and is renowned for its natural beauty, offering numerous trails for outdoor activities that provide breathtaking getaways through the hills and preserved landscapes of Murcia.
Born in this charming village on May 5, 2003, is Carlos Alcaraz, a tennis prodigy who has captured the world's attention. Known for his rapid rise through the tennis ranks, Alcaraz began playing tennis at a young age and started training at the Ferrero Tennis Academy when he was 11, under the guidance of former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Alcaraz turned professional at the age of 15 in 2018, and his ascent was swift. By 2021, he had broken into the ATP top 100 and reached the US Open quarterfinals, finishing the year inside the top 35. In 2022, at just 19, he won his first major title at the US Open and became the youngest man—and the first male teenager in the Open Era—to be ranked world No. 1 by the ATP, finishing the year as the youngest year-end No. 1 in history.
Since then, Alcaraz has maintained elite status, winning 22 ATP singles titles by 2025, including five Grand Slams: two French Opens, two Wimbledons, and one US Open. He claimed his second major at Wimbledon in 2023, followed by back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles in 2024, and a fifth major in 2025. He has also achieved a historic sweep of major clay titles, winning Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros Masters events.
Beyond titles, Alcaraz has made records as the youngest to win on all four surfaces (clay, grass, outdoor and indoor hardcourt) and recorded 250 career wins faster than all but two players in the Open Era.
Off the court, despite global success, Alcaraz remains close to family and lives at home with his parents. He is the second of four brothers, the others being Álvaro, Sergio, and Jaime. Despite his multimillionaire status, earned through career prize money nearing $50 million and endorsements, Alcaraz continues to live in the modest family apartment in El Palmar, estimated at 200,000 euros.
El Palmar is also home to a mural dedicated to tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz, a testament to his hometown's pride in its native son. The village is also known for Cabaña Buenavista, a restaurant honored by the Michelin Guide, offering sublime local flavors.
Cultural and gastronomic offerings contribute to El Palmar's appeal as a destination for tourists. The Teatro Bernal, inaugurated in 1910, is at the heart of El Palmar and has hosted theatrical performances and cultural events for over a century. The castle of La Asomada, a 12th-century Arab fortress, dominates the surroundings of El Palmar, offering a glimpse into the town's rich history.
Recently, Alcaraz confessed that he finds happiness in simple things and enjoys staying at home. Despite his global success, El Palmar remains a source of comfort and inspiration for the tennis star.
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