Carlos Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero reckons Miami Open triumph will put pressure and expectations on his ward. The young sensation defeated players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, and Hubert Hurkacz to clinch his maiden ATP 1000 Masters title.
The 18-year old became the youngest to win Miami Open and also became the third-youngest to clinic ATP 1000 Masters title. Alcaraz has grown in confidence in the recent past after his impressive performances and he will look to continue the same in the upcoming clay season.
In fact, experts like Mats Wilander and renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou reckon that the young Spaniard could be one of the favorites for the upcoming French Open.
Speaking to Marca, Ferrero said, “These days of rest have served to refresh the legs, but also the head. Making many calculations is putting too much pressure on Carlos’ shoulders. We know that it could be a very good season on clay, but we have to be careful. We have to continue working well, not being overconfident, generating good tennis, letting what you have time flow and being fresh every week”.
“Alcaraz has already fulfilled the first objective of the year, so it’s time to put more into it, but calmly. Coming from winning a tournament as important as Miami and also doing it in Indian Wells and winning in Rio, well, it makes expectations go up, but there are to think week by week. Each week is different, there is nothing automatic.”
Meanwhile, it is never easy for the players to make a transition from hard court to clay. However, Ferrero feels Alcaraz’s desire to keep going will play a key role for him.
”Now again a Masters 1,000, that from the first round all the matches are difficult and you have to generate good tennis, with a change of surface, with a few days of preparation … But Carlos’ desire will make up for all this. He’s going to be in shape. He starts Tuesday or Wednesday and we hope to train well on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to pick up the pace, get into the dynamics of playing on clay and stay fresh”.
Ferrero feels Alcaraz’s opponents will have more respect for him after the Miami Open triumph as he has proved his mettle.
“For a year and a half, tennis players have known that, when it’s Carlos’s turn, it’s not an easy round. He was sticking his head in the tournaments that gave them an invitation and now, after winning an important tournament, they respect him more than before.”
