Carlos Alcaraz is the Spanish tennis sensation. At just 17 years old, in Villena he beat Sousa (54th in the world) and De Miñaur (26th) this weekend, before losing in the final to Pablo Carreño. Train you with wisdom and patience Juan Carlos Ferrero and he flees from comparisons. “Each player has his way,” he says.
The phenomenal year had begun for you, what a pain of slowing down due to the pandemic …
I started very well, in Mallorca and Turkey. Then came the Rio game (he beat Albert Ramos). The truth is that it was at a great level, but this (COVID-19) has affected us all. Always look at the positive. The break helped me improve things that I needed, which you cannot do throughout the year. After the confinement in the Academy, he was able to work in the gym and get a little stronger to be able to endure the high-level games that I will have to play from now on.
What aspects have you focused on?
I needed to get more physical strength and serve, which I have improved a lot.
How was the confinement lived in Equelite (in Villena, Alicante)?
In the Academy difficult moments were passed, but it was made more pleasant by being with more people with whom I could relate. Everything inside that this situation was very difficult.
Already have a calendar?
The Challengers have started this August and let's see which ones I can enter. Everyone is looking forward to playing tournaments and it will be very difficult to be there. For the Madrid Masters 1,000 he had an invitation to play before his suspension for this year was announced.
Does it bother you a little that there are such high expectations for your future?
They ask me a lot of questions about expectations and I answer, but in the end I am with my circle, with my team, with things clear and knowing what I have to do and the path I have to follow. We all have it clear. I go little by little without ever looking much further.
In that regard, Ferrero should help you a lot …
Juan Carlos has a lot of experience in this, he went through the stage I am in now, at 17, and he knows how to advise me very well. He is a very serious person, he helps me to have more discipline and to know how to suffer, something that I had to improve and he gave me. And, above all, he has a lot of experience and knows what to do in the most difficult moments.
Your coach says that you have improved a lot in your behavior on the track, which is now less reactive …
Juan Carlos places a lot of emphasis on the issue of attitude. It is very important, it is almost everything. Those who know how to manage their emotions have a lot of cattle. Because you play against an opponent, but if you don't win yourself it is very difficult to know how to keep up with the moment of the game.
What are your short-term goals?
At the moment, I am very excited to start the Challengers and then we will see. I just want to compete internationally.
And your dreams?
My big dream is to be number one in the world. I would love to win all the Grand Slams, but last year I started on grass, at Wimbledon, and it was amazing. I would love to win there … apart from Roland Garros.
It seems inevitable to compare him with Nadal: he wears Nike, plays with Babolat rackets, is precocious in his successes and says he wants to win in London … Does it bother you?
I don't want to compare myself to Rafa (Nadal), because to begin with he is my idol and it is almost impossible or very difficult to get to where he has arrived. Each player has his way, you have to put aside the comparisons and each one follows his way.
In other words, Alcaraz is Alcaraz …
I have my things, my way. We must enhance the virtues and improve the defects.
What would your ideal tennis player be like?
The ideal player would have the backhand and the rest of Djokovic, Rafa's mentality, Federer's forehand and Isner's serve.
How do you describe yourself as a person and what do you like to do in your free time?
I am a nice and funny person, I can say little more. Describing yourself is difficult. When I am not training I try to play golf. Juan Carlos introduced me to that world. I love that and spending time with my friends.
Are you already stopped on the street?
The fans still don't tell me many things. Little by little they get to know me more, but for now, little.
What did you feel when you won that match in Rio?
I remember Rio's victory as the best. It was a learning match, to realize that I can compete against the best and keep improving.
You never give up even if they score 6-0.
A game can take many turns, even if they beat you 6-0. You have to stay there to have a chance, because it is very difficult for your opponent to maintain a high level from start to finish. There will be some downturn to take advantage of and turn the result around. The spirit of fighting, never giving up and fighting for every ball, Juan Carlos has also instilled in me.
What do you like most about your own tennis?
My forehand is very good and I have greatly improved mobility on all surfaces.
IMG brings you, a very important company.
I have been with IMG since I was 11 years old and it is a great company that takes great players. It helps me a lot with the brands, the invitations to the tournaments. I'm very happy.
And what do you think of Equelite?
Here at the Academy the atmosphere is spectacular, with great coaches who get a lot of quality at work. I am super grateful and happy. This is a great family in which we have a very good relationship.