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While tennis star Carlos Alcaraz continues to make headlines on the courts of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, away from the global spotlight he leads an unexpectedly modest lifestyle.

 

The 22-year-old Murcian, currently ranked world number 2 but hoping to return to number 1 before the summer is out, resides in a 90-square-metre prefabricated wooden house located on the grounds of the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Villena, Alicante, right near the border of his native Murcia.

 

It is a serene and functional setting that reflects his grounded personality and dedication to the sport, and a place Alcaraz has been associated with for many years.

 

Set within a vast 120,000m2 complex, the Ferrero Tennis Academy is more than just a training ground. Founded by former world number 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is also Alcaraz’s coach, the academy is both home and high-performance hub.

 

Just 30 minutes from the Mediterranean coast, it offers not only 20 tennis courts but also a swimming pool, gym, school, restaurant and extensive green spaces. These facilities are designed to support the holistic development of aspiring players, many of whom also live on-site.

 

According to Spanish media sources such as Marca and La Vanguardia, Alcaraz originally stayed in a small 25m2 wooden prefab at the Academy, which served as his refuge during the pandemic lockdown. He later moved to a larger 90m2 unit. It is a house with history, as it was once the personal residence of Ferrero himself during his peak in 2003.

 

Over the years, other prominent players including Nicolás Almagro and Guillermo García-López have also called it home.

 

This environment has been crucial to Alcaraz’s rise. The natural setting and family-like atmosphere of Ferrero contrast starkly with the glamour often associated with top-level sport. Instead, it nurtures discipline, focus and a strong work ethic, qualities that Alcaraz continues to display on court.

 

The academy’s plans to expand are ongoing, pending approval of urban development proposals. These reflect Alcaraz’s own expansion plans, as he is set to open his own tennis centre in his native city of Murcia in 2026.

 

With stars like Alcaraz and Olympic bronze medallist Pablo Carreño training there, the Ferrero Tennis Academy is not only a base for champions but a symbol of how world-class success can be forged far from luxury: in a simple wooden house, amid olive trees and clay courts.

 

Images: Ferrero Tennis Academy