When Carlos was competing at the Australian Open this year, an adorable highlight was the moment with Hot Shots Kid John during the coin toss between Carlos Alcaraz and Nuno Borges. As John asked, “AO or John?” Alcaraz chose “AO,” and the coin landed in his favor. John’s excitement was infectious as he exclaimed, “It’s AO!” Tennis journalist Jose Morgado reshared the video on X, calling it “one of the cutest moments of the tournament.” It’s been three months since, but neither has forgotten that memorable day!

As Carlos prepared for the Italian Open after withdrawing from Madrid due to injury, he hit a personal milestone-turning 22 on May 5! Warm wishes poured in, but one stood out: John’s adorable video message. Speaking excitedly for his “friend,” John said, “I just want to say a very, very, very big happy birthday. Win or lose, you’ll always be happy, just like me. You are an inspiration to kids all over the world. Oh, and since it’s your party,” he ended with an enthusiastic dance for an “Alcaraz Party.”

Five days later, the ATP shared Carlos’ reaction to John’s message. Watching the video with a bright smile, he exclaimed, “It’s my friend John!” He added, “He’s so cute. I saw it on the 5th of May, on my birthday. So I just want to say thank you to John. I hope, hopefully see you next year in Australia. I mean, I appreciate it, you know, the message, the video, and I had a great day, just to let you know. So, thank you very much.” Though he spent much of his birthday practicing in Rome, the message clearly brightened his day.

Alcaraz has always been clear about how he sees himself as a player. Growing up, he idolized Rafael Nadal and hopes to carry that legacy forward for the next generation. When asked if he thinks he can reach the Big Three’s level, Alcaraz said, “I’m not obsessed. I’ve always said I’d like to be the best in history and sit at the Big Three’s table, but those are big words, not an obsession. And I always say I’d like to be remembered as an inspiration to the little ones, and as someone who had fun doing what he loved most, with a smile on his face and making people enjoy themselves.”

He’s often spoken about admiring the kindness of his idols, Roger Federer and Rafa. “When I started, I felt they were such great guys for me. I was, ‘Okay, I really want to be like these guys’, and I want to be the same for the kids.” For Alcaraz, it’s not just about trophies but being a role model who inspires and spreads joy. He showed this perfectly at the Australian Open when he took a walk with John after his victory.

Carlos brightens little John’s day with a casual yet informative chat

John experienced a dream moment at the 2025 Australian Open! He already got to toss the coin for Alcaraz’s third-round match against Nuno Borges at Rod Laver Arena. But that wasn’t all-John later met his tennis hero behind the scenes! Showcasing an adorable interaction as Alcaraz took him to the tournament’s official press conference room.

During their conversation, Carlos asked John, “Have you ever seen what the players do after a match? Or is this the first time?” John replied, “This is the first time. So I’m so excited actually.” Carlos then said warmly, “I wish to see you, you know, playing on this beautiful court one day.” John nodded and promised, “I sure will.”

As he went on to walk with the child, he gave him small lessons on the post-match duties. In the end, he noted, “John, take care, I hope to see you soon.” And you could tell the genuine superstar meant every word. Tennis fans absolutely loved the wholesome moment. The videos racked up over a million views by the time of writing, with many people summing it up in one word: heartwarming.

While Carlos Alcaraz showed his gentle side with John, the Italian Open is bringing out his fierce competitor. After recovering from a right leg injury, he fought through to the next round and will face Laslo Djere in the round of 32. With the next Grand Slam coming up on May 25, everyone’s watching to see if he can make a deep run. What do you think?