When Carlos Alcaraz posted a casual photo of himself watching Spain’s Davis Cup finals, he didn’t mean to start a conversation. He was just a guy enjoying his day off in his parents’ living room. To a world used to seeing top athletes showing off their luxurious mansions, the small, ordinary room might have been shocking, but for the seven-time Grand Slam champion, it was perfectly normal.
Carlos Alcaraz Addresses Viral Photo of His Living Room That Protects His Peace
On Monday night in Madrid, Alcaraz was honored with the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for his brilliant 2025 season, joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic as the only ATP Tour players to receive it. It was a big night for tennis as WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was also awarded Sportswoman of the Year.
At the press conference, besides his reflections on the 2025 season and recent injury, the Spaniard was also asked to talk about the viral living room pic he had shared in November 2025: “Could you tell us what that place represents, a place that also, in a way, defines you? Because it’s part of daily life, it’s your parents’ house. How do you manage to live the life of a normal guy, on your way to becoming one of the best in history?”
The 22-year-old explained, “Well, the truth is, the photo went viral; I didn’t do it intentionally. With the photo, in the end, every time I go back home, it’s like I don’t completely forget that I’m a tennis player, but ultimately, with my friends, with my family, I still live in the same house as always.
“It’s like it takes me back to my roots, and I feel like the little Carlitos I’ve been since I was a kid, and for me, that’s super important, especially when it comes to going back to competition, to traveling again, since you’re exposed so much to everyone, both on and off the court, in the press, and my house is like my place of peace, right?,” Alcaraz said.
“And that’s what it gives me. So, the truth is, people thought it was crazy, but in the end, it’s my peaceful life at home.” Staying in his childhood home in Murcia is nothing strange, as many have made it seem.
The discussion around Alacaraz’s humble abode started when former American players John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Sam Querrey admitted they were genuinely baffled by the photo.
In their “Nothing Major” podcast, Querrey said, “It’s a bad living room. There’s a table, there’s like a little plastic sheet over, go ahead Steve.”
Johnson chimed in, “It looks exactly how it should. If you watched his Netflix documentary, this is what his house was like. He still lives at home with his parents. He’s got a small bedroom and does his workouts there. It’s crazy to me. I feel like they could have a bigger, more comfortable space, but this is very European. Does a giant house with a 100-inch TV not exist in Europe? I don’t get it.”
Despite the confusion, the trio also likened Alcaraz’s setup to the legendary humility of his idol, Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz’s living room is not for the status symbols, but the quiet, ordinary comfort of the life he has always known.
The reigning French Open champ is recovering from a right wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open and is doubtful for Rome and Rolland Garros. But he is not worried. As he said in the presser, it’s not about if you get injured, it’s about when and how you come back. Now, Alcaraz is doing his best to take care of himself and is hoping to be back on the court soon.
