You’ve seen the highlights. The 100mph forehands that seem to defy physics, the drop shots that die before they even hit the clay, and that constant, almost infectious grin. But there’s a massive difference between seeing a kid win Wimbledon and actually understanding what’s going on in his head when the cameras stop rolling. Netflix basically handed us the keys to the castle with their 2025 docuseries, and honestly, Carlos Alcaraz My Way is nothing like the polished PR fluff we usually get from elite athletes.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s surprisingly human.
Most people expected a victory lap. Instead, the series gave us a 21-year-old struggling with the weight of an entire country’s expectations while trying to remember why he even picked up a racket in the first place. If you think being the best in the world is all private jets and trophies, this project is a reality check. It’s about a guy who has $60 million in the bank but still feels most comfortable in a twin bed at his parents' place in El Palmar.
The Tension Behind Carlos Alcaraz My Way
The documentary doesn't shy away from the friction. You can feel the heat in the room during the scenes between Carlos and his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. For years, Ferrero was the "Sensei," the guy who took a "cocky" and "unstable" teenager and molded him into a Grand Slam machine. But as we saw in the series, that relationship hit a breaking point because of a fundamental difference in how they view life.
Ferrero and the agents at IMG were pushing the "Djokovic model." Total discipline. Zero distractions. No partying. No skipping training for a family BBQ. They wanted a robot because robots win 24 majors. But Carlos? He’s just not built that way.
In a pivotal scene in Carlos Alcaraz My Way, Alcaraz admits he doesn't want to be that strict with himself. He says, “That’s my method.” He needs the chaos of his friends and the comfort of his mother Virginia’s cooking to stay sane. It’s a rare moment of honesty in a sport that usually demands athletes sacrifice their souls for a ranking point. This tension actually led to the shocking split between Alcaraz and Ferrero in late 2025, proving that the "My Way" title wasn't just a catchy marketing slogan—it was a declaration of independence.
Why he still sleeps in a twin bed
One of the most viral moments from the show wasn't a tennis match. It was the reveal that despite his massive Nike deal and tournament winnings, Carlitos was still crashing in a tiny room at home. It sounds like a gimmick, but it’s real.
He’s building a new house for his family in Murcia now, but the sentiment remains: he’s terrified of losing his roots. The show tracks his 21st birthday, where his grandmother is singing and he’s just another guy from the neighborhood. That groundedness is his secret weapon. While other players are losing their minds in the pressure cooker of the tour, Alcaraz is reset by a weekend at home.
The 2024 Rollercoaster: Silver Medals and Mental Blocks
The "My Way" narrative really took shape during the 2024 season. It was a year of extreme highs—winning the "Channel Slam" (French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back)—and devastating lows. The documentary captures the raw heartbreak after he lost the Olympic Gold to Novak Djokovic in Paris. You see him sobbing, not because he lost a match, but because he felt he let Spain down.
Then came the "slump." The uncharacteristic racket smashing in Cincinnati. The second-round exit at the US Open to Botic van de Zandschulp.
What the Carlos Alcaraz My Way series does so well is show the conversation he had with Roger Federer at the Laver Cup. Federer, the king of longevity, gave him the best advice he’s ever received: find the joy in every tournament. Don't let it become an obligation. You can see the lightbulb go off in Carlos’s head. He stopped trying to be the next Nadal and started being the first Alcaraz.
Breaking the "New Nadal" Curse
For his entire life, the media has tried to shove Carlos into a Rafa-shaped box. Same country, same grit, same early success. But if you watch how he plays, it’s totally different.
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- The Variety: He isn't a baseline grinder. He’s a shot-maker who gets bored if he isn't trying something ridiculous.
- The Risk: Most coaches tell you to play the percentages. Carlos plays the "vibe."
- The Smile: Nadal is a warrior who looks like he's going to war; Alcaraz looks like he's at a theme park.
By the time he won his fifth and sixth Grand Slams in 2025 (sweeping the French and US Open again), the "My Way" philosophy was fully vindicated. He proved that you don't have to be a monk to be a champion. You can have the late-night dinners with friends and still take down Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller.
What we can learn from the "Alcaraz Method"
At its core, Carlos Alcaraz My Way is a lesson in boundaries. It’s about knowing when to listen to the experts and when to trust your gut. Even if you don't care about tennis, there’s a lot to take away from how this kid manages his career.
- Protect your joy at all costs. If your job (or your sport) starts feeling like a prison, you’re going to burn out. Alcaraz prioritizes happiness because it actually makes him play better.
- It’s okay to outgrow your mentors. The split with Ferrero was sad for fans, but it was a necessary step for Carlos to become his own man.
- Humanity is a brand. People don't just love Alcaraz because he wins; they love him because he’s transparent. He shows the tears and the mistakes, which makes the victories feel earned.
If you haven't watched the docuseries yet, go find it. It’s only three episodes, but it changes how you look at the sport. It’s not just about a guy hitting a yellow ball; it’s about a kid trying to keep his soul intact while the whole world tries to buy a piece of it.
Moving forward into the 2026 season, keep an eye on his new partnership with Samuel López. It’s a softer approach, more focused on Murcia and less on the "academy" lifestyle. It’s the next chapter of him doing things exactly how he wants.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Athletes:
- Watch the Laver Cup segment: Pay close attention to the Federer exchange; it’s the most important piece of sports psychology you'll see all year.
- Follow the "Murcia Training" shift: Notice how his performance changes now that he's training closer to home. It’s a case study in how environment affects elite output.
- Study the drop shot disguise: If you play tennis, look at his grip changes in the slow-motion shots of the documentary—it's a masterclass in deception.