The number one in the tennis world, Carlos Alcaraz, has advanced to the second round in Paris. Thanks to his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 20-year-old is making rapid development steps.
The grin was as wide as it could be more explicit. Carlos Alcaraz was visibly satisfied with this early Monday evening (05/29/2023) at his Grand Slam– Kick off in Paris. The Spaniard had every reason to. The number one in the ATP world rankings had mastered its first round task almost effortlessly. He beat young Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-0, 6-2, 7-5.
The tournament has started. A relief even for a top favorite like the 20-year-old. The day before, Juan Carlos Ferrero had verbally tried to prevent it. “Of course you can lose in the first round. You’re never safe there“Said the Spanish Alcaraz coach, who won the tournament himself in 2003. But he certainly didn’t really believe in it.
“We’re having a really good clay court season. And we want to do our best again.”said Ferrero. Nobody wanted to contradict him. The young Alcaraz has already won the tournaments in Madrid, Barcelona and Buenos Aires this year.
The hunger is awakened
The demands are high on Alcaraz – externally and internally. The 20-year-old already has one Grand Slam-Title in your pocket. He won last year at the age of 19 US Open. The hunger and the realistic belief in a larger collection of titles among the Grand Slams at the latest, everyone involved was woken up afterwards.
“I would say he’s better than last year”, said Ferrero, looking at his protégé. Certainly not good news for the supposedly biggest competitors – Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev. But probably an honest assessment of Ferrero.
The dominance with which Alcaraz controlled Cobolli was impressive. Even when Alcaraz came under a little pressure, he freed himself with breathtaking precision and safety. “I was able to dismiss that quickly and played at a great level”said Alcaraz.
Showed himself to be in good shape in round one of the French Open: Carlos Alcaraz.
Learned student
But why does everything seem so easy for him? “I think he’s growing super fast on the pitch. He can read the games a bit better. Even before the game when he talks about it you can see he’s more mature in all areas on the pitch.”says Ferrero.
Alcaraz seems to be a studious student. The child prodigy gains experience. And apparently he also benefits from his extremely successful coach Ferrero. Alcaraz has matured as a person, according to the coach. “He’s 20 now and when you’re on a team where the people are older, I think you grow up a little faster than maybe with other people who are your age.”said Ferrero.
Without pressure
Even in his youth, no tennis expert doubted that Alcaraz had the sporting skills to reach the top of the world. But the fact that “Carlitos” also has the mental abilities to play at the highest level over the long term is only just beginning to emerge. The young man is currently going through huge development steps at a rapid pace.
“The experience he got at the US Open and the experience he got on the court makes him grow faster than maybe other people. So he’s definitely a better player.”said Ferrero. And the most important thing is: “All without pressure.”