CARLOS ALCARAZ has only ever been whitewashed once, but he will never forget it.
The Spaniard was only 10 years-old when friend Antonio Lopez, two years his senior, blasted him 6-0 6-0 in a junior tournament.
Just nine years later, Alcaraz had rocketed to the top of world tennis by becoming the youngest ever No1.
Lopez, according to author Mark Hodgkinson in his new book Being Carlos Alcaraz, had forgotten about some of his destruction that day.
But he admitted: ”Carlos remembers that match very well.”
Lopez, who is now a tennis coach and sometimes joins his old pal’s backroom staff for tournaments, says his thrashing of the five-time Grand Slam champion should serve as inspiration for the champions of tomorrow.
He said: ”I’m saying to the kids that with some effort and some help from their coach, they can reach the things they dream about.”
Alcaraz ’s stunning start to his tennis career has seen him become one of the most marketable young sports stars in the world – he is projected to rake in £31.5million, making him the highest earning active player.
His current Nike deal is worth a whopping £150m over 10 years.
Despite all his riches, Alcaraz still tells his parents about any expensive purchases – the Spaniard is a sneakerhead and has no problem paying thousands for some limited-edition trainers.
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But the one time he decided to surprise dad Carlos with a luxury Aston Martin car, it all went wrong.
Long-time friend of the family Alfredo Sarria revealed: “Carlitos’ father had always said – he had been saying this since he was young – that if he had money in the future, he was going to buy an Aston Martin.
“And then one day Carlitos arrived with an Aston Martin for his father. It was a surprise. But when his father saw the car, he asked Carlitos, ‘When am I going to drive this car?'”
His family wanted to keep a low-profile in their village so it stays parked up for most of the year.
Sarria added: ”Carlos doesn’t want Carlitos to be spending money on these kinds of things. Maybe they’re going to sell the car soon because they’re not going to use it.’
Alcaraz, however, is already eyeing up another set of flashy wheels.
Lopez said: “ He has said that he would like to buy a Lamborghini but not at the moment, maybe in the future. When he’s older he will buy it.’
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CARLOS ALCARAZ has been making a huge noise in tennis – and kept his old school quiet in the process.
The Spanish superstar will never forget his roots and in the tiny village of El Palmar, the teachers are forever grateful.
Alcaraz had heard the classroom chairs would make a horrendous screech when dragged by pupils.
So he donated almost 2,000 old balls which have been attached to the metal legs to spare the teacher’s ears.
Alcaraz’s old English teacher Laura Caballero said in the new book: “Now when the kids move their chairs around, they don’t make a big noise and disturb the whole class.”
