Footage of Carlos Alcaraz playing tennis at the age of 13 has gone viral on social media.
Alcaraz, just 20, fended off 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in five sets to claim his first Wimbledon title on Sunday.
After 4 hours and 42 minutes of gruelling tennis, the world No. 1 announced himself as the new king of centre-court, winning 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
In turn, Alcaraz became the first man not called Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray to win the prestigious tournament since 2002.
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However, it seems he was destined for greatness from a very young age after footage emerged showing the Spaniard sprinting around the court at the age of 13, throwing in a combination of powerful groundstrokes and his signature drop shot.
He was playing against Alexandre De Villepin at Les Petits As in 2017, a junior tournament held in Tarbes, France which was previously won by Nadal.
The previous year, Alcaraz won the Under-14 RNTour, and admitted that Nadal was his idol.
"I want to be Top-10, but you need to work for it," he said in 2016 (quotes via Sportskeeda). "My idol's Rafa Nadal. I want to be like RN 'cause he practices very hard & gives his all in matches & I want to be like him"
Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion and former world No. 1 took to social media to congratulate Alcaraz after his Wimbledon victory on Sunday.
He wrote: “Congratulations Carlos Alcaraz.
“You have given us immense joy today and surely our pioneer in Spanish tennis, Manolo Santana, has also been cheering wherever he is as a member of Wimbledon whom you have joined today. A very strong hug and enjoy the moment, Champion!!!”
Joe Adams