He loves to help people' How Alcaraz captured the hearts of Wimbledon fans

'He loves to help people'

- Emine Sinmaz

Is Carlos Alcaraz the kindest man in tennis? His childhood coaches, fans and the 79-year-old widow who collapsed during one of his matches certainly think so.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, on a 24-match winning streak, has spent the last fortnight charming spectators and players alike - and not just with his tennis skills.

The five-time grand slam champion has won over hearts as well as matches at Wimbledon, where he reached the final for the third consecutive year, after defeating the American Taylor Fritz in four sets yesterday.

Kiko Navarro, Alcaraz's former coach in his hometown of El Palmar, a village in Murcia, is not surprised by the star's good manners or popularity. "His happiness in his face, which he spreads to the spectators, it was the same when he was a child," he said in an interview with the Guardian.

"He has always been a humble person. Since he was little, when we would go to play, people would look at us and see that he was the best. And I liked to think that, well, if one day he becomes a tennis player, as is the case, he would keep that humility, that closeness he has with people - and that is why he has won over all the public."