Carlos Alcaraz really got going for the first time at the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells. After the title in California, the Spaniard is not only top seed in Miami in the absence of Novak Djokovic, but is also going for the “Sunshine Double”.
One reason for the upward trend can probably be found in the long-time coach of the 20-year-old world number two, Juan Carlos Ferrero. “He means a lot to me,” says Alcaraz in advance.
Ferrero was missing in Australia
At the Australian Open, Alcaraz missed his coach sorely because the 2003 French Open champion had to undergo knee surgery. Alcaraz was eliminated in the quarterfinals. The now 44-year-old former world number one then returned to the South American performances.
With the title in the Californian desert, the dry spell that many people had not expected is over – after all, Alcaraz had not won a title since Wimbledon in July of the previous year. Now he could become the first player since Roger Federer in 2017 to win the double.
Overcame ankle injury
With Ferrero in the box. “One of the things he tells me the most is ‘smile,'” Alcaraz said Tuesday in Florida. “It’s a great support when you have him in the box. His help is especially for me. We’ve come a long way together, it’s been six years now.”
He learned a lot from Ferrero, both on the court and away from tennis. There is no longer any talk of the ankle injury that he brought with him to Indian Wells. “I feel great physically and mentally. I’m ready for the tournament,” Alcaraz assures. He starts after a bye against Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) or compatriot Roberto Carballes Baena.
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2024-03-20 10:42:36
