carlos alcaraz he says he won’t go that high or that fast and he repeats and insists without the support and guidance provided your family and team. And in this architecture, one of the fundamental parts that keeps the champion alive is, Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

As former number 1 remembers before the press this Sunday, Carlitos met ‘Charlie’ when Murcian was just 12 or 13 and went to his academy. “He was very small, but already everyone was talking about him. and he had everything he has now, but in a small way: he went to the net, he shot, he smiled on the court, he had a lot of energy…”.

Ferrero also saw the brand new #1 when he earned his first ATP point at age 14. The following year, the one from El Palmar officially landed in Villena. “it was like spaghettiHe had very slender and very fast hands and legs, but no muscles. “There was a lot to work on,” but they saw something “very special,” “different from other men their age.”

This “something special” has been definitively exposed to the world this Sunday. And Ferrero continues to see that on the track. “I believe it born to play this kind of tournament, that kind of party,” he says of Alcaraz. “You don’t give up in important moments, you grow. He’s a great competitor. There, he’s always trying, and we’ve seen that in the last few games: (Marin) Cilic against (Jannik) Sinner or (Frances) Tiafoe: he never gave up.

Potential to be one of the best

Ferrero isn’t personally surprised that Alcaraz has risen to the top, which he knows quickly and assures he “knows that if it wasn’t this year, it would be next.” His goal is to take him to “the highest level of tennis”. Even though Rafa Nadal is aware that it will be very difficult to achieve what Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have accomplished and that there is “still a long way to go” for a title against 20, 21 or 22, he also says: “Who knows? It has all tennis and the potential to be one of the best.. All we have to do is try.”

Ferrero is reluctant to say that the “Carlos era” has begun, as someone suggested, but admits he’ll “love it”. “I told the press a few days ago. maybe he and the sinner can rule the next ten years if they maintain the level they showed the other day. And (Alexander) Zverev, (Dominique) Thiem, (Casper) Ruud and (Stephanos) Tsitsipas will be there too, but with all due respect, that’s what I think.”

Ferrero also now knows that other players will be more motivated to face Alcaraz and compares this to Real Madrid-Barcelona. “There is a competition that raises your level. It will happen, and you have to be prepared.”

“A wonderful family”, “a simple and humble child”

Little can they talk about what the new star looks like beyond what the spotlights show, and Ferrero said Alcaraz “As shownThere is no second personality. The young man calls him “the man with the whip” because he is the one who “almost always” tells him things he doesn’t want to hear. And in those moments Alcaraz shows “lots of character”, but also “learns” just like on the track.

“This is a very simple, humble boyand we must work to keep it that way, because such radical changes are never easy”, explains the man from Ontynient. And he believes he can rely on his own experience for this job, but also “amazing familyof Alcaraz. “Just a moment ago, his father was telling him we had to do it. keep your feet on the groundand it’s a very good example that his father knows exactly what to do.”

At 60% of potential

These are the factors that will be essential for a bright future, but there is more. Ferrero says he told Alcaraz himself. “60%” of what you can be. “He can improve a lot, and he and I know we have to keep working,” he says. And he lists: “Resting, serving, backhand in certain situations, consistency, trying to stay mentally in certain moments… heal these weak spots owned by all players; no one is different, neither is Carlos”.