Centre Court King

The Carlos Alcaraz effect.

Carlos Alcaraz Garfia was born on May 5, 2003, in El Palmar, Murcia; he turned 20 years old this year. Alcaraz started playing tennis at the age of four, influenced by his father - once ranked in Spain’s top 40. His idols growing up were Nadal, with whom he shares his fondness for clay courts, and Roger Federer.

Alcaraz turned professional in 2018 at age 15. He started by playing ITF Futures and ATP Challengers and then played his first ATP event in 2020 in Rio de Janeiro.

Coach

Alcaraz is coached by Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former world No 1 and 2003 Roland-Garros champion, who has been working with him for two years at his Equelite Academy.

“It is difficult to compare anyone to Roger Federer, of course, but if I had to say one name (in comparison to Carlos), I’m looking for somebody that is very aggressive and is able to do a lot of things on the court, and Roger is the best in these situations. He can play on any surface and can play any type of style.”

Winning streak

Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2022, having won the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2021. He has won nine career titles - five of them in 2022, including Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid. Alcaraz won another Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells during the spring of 2023.

Triumph

Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Wimbledon title in 2023. He beat Novak Djokovic in the final in a five-set epic.

In doing so, Alcaraz held his No. 1 ranking. He broke Djokovic’s 45-match-winning streak on Centre Court, as well as his 34 matchwinning streak at Wimbledon and the Serb’s 34 match-winning streak at Grand Slams.

Ranked world No. 1 in men’s singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals.

While there’s still a demand for the quick-and-cheap nature of fast fashion on the high street, many are realising the impact mass textile production is having on the planet. Not only that, a considered wardrobe is less stressful, more affordable and if you’re buying secondhand, likely to be more unique. This is the kind of thinking that is weaving itself into the bones of the next generation.

Little Vintage Flea

Little Vintage Flea was born from my obsession with vintage clothes combined with a desire to pass on my thrifted spoils to others.

I had recently been made redundant from my job as a magazine journalist and everyone I knew said they thought I should work with clothes (given that I’d tried to dress them all at some point or another). It really was a case of serendipity that a new cafe in my area called Shaking Bad was looking for a little flea like me to collab with.

I’ve loved mooching around charity shops since I was a child. Back then, my treasure was a cruelly-abandoned Care Bear or a mint My Little Pony. Now it’s a pristine Laura Ashley dress or an outgrown Ozzy Clarke gown. It isn’t just about scouting out those big brands, though, I’m just as happy to uncover a handsewn day dress with a beautiful print, or a pair of St Michael (that’s M&S to you and me) jeans that have plenty of adventures left in them.

Unlike chain stores, second-hand or vintage shops offer the opportunity for a little bit of magic. Crossing the threshold, exploring the rails... there’s a chance of discovering something really special. The best thing is, you won’t spot somebody else wearing the same thing. If you’re not a fan of rooting, sites like Ebay, Vinted, Depop and Etsy are great places to explore second-hand style from your sofa. And selling on things on is easier than ever, too. I regularly sort my wardrobe and anything I haven’t worn for more than a year, I sell on or donate to somebody else. There’s no reason for any workable garment to end up in landfill. One thing I’ve discovered is that the preloved community on Instagram is full of people just as passionate as me, and is one of the kindest, supportive arenas I’ve known.

When it came to setting up my shop, true to my bargain-hunting bones, I thrifted and salvaged rugs and rails wherever possible, and created a beautiful space full of beautiful things that I hope others will love.”

Liz Frost