Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of tennis, concluded an impressive 2023 season at the ATP Finals, receiving acclaim despite his semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic, the eventual champion. Former world No 1, Juan Carlos Ferrero, shared insights into Alcaraz’s strengths, weaknesses, and plans for improvement.
Alcaraz, ranked world No 2, marked a stellar season, securing six ATP titles and exhibiting a notable 84.4%-win rate with a 65-12 record. His exceptional performance included a thrilling victory over Djokovic at Wimbledon, clinching his second Grand Slam title.
In an interview with Marca, Ferrero discussed Alcaraz’s emotional temperament, acknowledging its positive and negative impacts on his game. Ferrero highlighted the necessity for Alcaraz to enhance his consistency during matches and refine decision-making abilities, emphasizing that experience would play a pivotal role in these improvements.
The 2003 French Open champion emphasized the significance of physical conditioning in Alcaraz’s training regimen for the upcoming 2024 season. Stressing the importance of rest and rejuvenation after a taxing year, Ferrero outlined plans for Alcaraz to recharge before intensifying training sessions in preparation for the Australian Open.
Regarding Alcaraz’s tournament preparation, Ferrero addressed the decision not to participate in ATP events before the Australian Open. He acknowledged the unpredictability of tournament outcomes and expressed confidence in Alcaraz’s ability to swiftly adapt to match scenarios, citing his tendency to thrive in later rounds of competitions.
Reflecting on Alcaraz’s absence from the 2023 Australian Open due to injury, Ferrero remained optimistic about Alcaraz’s readiness for the upcoming tournament, relying on exhibition matches and rigorous training to ensure a strong performance Down Under.
As Alcaraz continues his meteoric rise in the tennis circuit, Ferrero’s insights shed light on the player’s areas of focus and the strategic approach to optimize his performance while balancing the effects of an emotionally charged game.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
LWLLWWWWWW Ranked world no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 18th of November when he lost to world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season Alcaraz achieved an overall 65-12 record. Alcaraz clinched 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. The Spaniard reached the final in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Carlos Alcaraz |
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