Alcaraz: ‘Having Ferrero back is a huge boost’

Editor’s note: This story has been translated from ATPTour.com/es.

There are player-coach relationships so strong that their success stories stretch beyond the tennis court. That which has been forged through the years between Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero is one of the healthiest on Tour.

After Ferrero’s absence from the 2024 Australian Open due to a knee operation, the former World No. 1 is back in the Murcia man’s box this week in Buenos Aires. For ‘Carlitos’, just having him there makes a world of difference.

“Juan Carlos and I have spent a lot of time together, many years,” said Alcaraz during his participation in this week’s IEB+ Argentina Open. “We have great trust. Of course, it’s important having him there with me, it’s a great help."

As well as Ferrero’s special importance, Alcaraz has always alluded to the significance of his ‘team’. The invaluable entourage of the No. 2 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings includes his agent Albert Molina, physios Juanjo Moreno and Sergio Hernández, doctor Juanjo López, fitness coaches Alberto Lledó and Álex Sánchez, his brother Álvaro, and his father Carlos, all of whom are with him in Buenos Aires.

6 Matches, 6 Wins ✅@carlosalcaraz remains undefeated in Buenos Aires as he powers through Vavassori 7-6(1) 6-1@ArgentinaOpen | #IEBMasArgOpen2024 pic.twitter.com/Lymxozgm3H

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The 20-year-old Alcaraz knows that Ferrero’s presence may not affect his game every day on court, but it can make a difference in the way he feels. “In weeks when he’s not there, I am lucky to have great coaches, but obviously I’ve been with Juan Carlos since I was 15. It will be six years in 2024, so I’ve been with him a long time. I know him very well and he does me,” he explained.

What is the key to their relationship?

“We know how to communicate at all times, having him there in the box is genuinely a huge boost, it’s great to have him with me,” said Alcaraz.

As he does on every outing, Alcaraz has his family close at hand.

“My older brother Alvaro, he’s obviously a big support, I’m really lucky having him there on the team, having him at most tournaments,” said the 12-time tour-level champion. “Now my father and uncle also travel a lot, I think it’s important to have that part of my family at the tournaments I play in.”

“At the end of the day, if you’re on court for two or three hours a day, the rest of the time you’re off court, and I’m really a family person who needs his loved ones close by. That’s what gives me peace of mind and makes me feel good. Not missing home so much,” revealed Alcaraz.

In fact, every time the current Wimbledon champion returns home, he stops being a tennis player and slips into the role of big brother with his siblings, Jaime and Sergio. He is unable to see them as often as he would like.

“I don’t see them much, and they’re at school right now, it’s difficult for them to travel, but there are a few tournaments they’ve come to and seeing them there with me makes me very happy,” said Alcaraz, before raising a smile. “When I get home, I try not to make them see me as Carlos the tennis player, but as their older brother, but they’re at a difficult age.”