Carlos Alcaraz – Much more than tennis

From the first time I saw Carlos Alcaraz win Wimbledon, he’s done it again and again. I simply love him. He always leaves me with a smile—and with hope. Yesterday he did it again (see video for those who have not seen it).

Today’s news gives us lots of less than happy reading but I choose to ignore Greta and all the other news stories and focus instead on Carlos in my own fight – and perhaps as a broader lesson for all of us.

Those who know tennis will understand. It’s a game of total individual skill, strength, and determination. Time and again, in the biggest matches against the best players on the grandest stages, Alcaraz has defied the odds and come from behind to win.

He’s just a kid. Watch any documentary about him and you’ll see a very normal, emotional young man. He refuses to buy into the celebrity myth or give up his family life for the business of tennis.

Yet, in a grueling match that lasted over five hours, he came back from two sets down to win 3–2 against the world number one. Why?

Because he simply doesn’t give up—no matter how grim the situation. His mind just won’t yield to the obvious.

I’ve seen him do this time and time again. In his press conference, he said he genuinely believed he could win the entire time.

That kind of resilience hits home for me. I’m living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)—a condition that’s moving fast and offers no mercy. It’s a death sentence. But I’ve decided to take on my much younger role model. Like Carlos, I’m going to fight, fight, and simply not give in.

Yesterday gave me such a buzz. I organized a Zoom for my amazing wife’s 50th birthday. It was excellent thankfully. I was exhausted—barely able to get up the stairs afterward—but it was completely worth it.

Later, I lay in bed and listened to the tennis commentary of the last set on the radio. And it lifted me. Truth is, before the Zoom he had gone down in the first 2 sets and I truly believed he would still win.

Think what you want about sport. I love it. Carlos is my favorite ever. Others like Messi, Nadal, and Federer have bewitched me—but yesterday, Carlos was the example I needed most.

Thank you, Carlos. Thank you, my wife.

I fight on—and I have a million reasons to do so.