"Forget it" - Carlos Alcaraz hilariously responds to coach Juan Carlos Ferrero's claim of being able to beat him after recovering from knee injury

Carlos Alcaraz delivered a witty response to his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who claimed that he could defeat the World No. 2 once he had recovered from his knee injury.

Alcaraz defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in one hour and 49 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena to secure a quarter-final spot for the first time at the Australian Open. With this win, the Spaniard (20 years, 8 months and 3 weeks) has become the youngest player since Novak Djokovic in 2008 (20 years, 8 months and 1 week) to reach the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams.

During the post-match interview, former Austrian player Barbara Schett asked Carlos Alcaraz about his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero's claims that he could defeat Alcaraz once he recovered from the arthroscopy on his left knee.

The 20-year-old athlete responded in a rather undiplomatic manner, bursting into laughter and asserting that Ferrero would not stand a chance against him.

"He also said, when you come back home, his knees are gonna be fine again and he then better be ready because he's gonna take you on and he's gonna beat you. You think he can beat you?" Schett asked.

"Two games, three games [laughing]. No, I mean he can.... No no not right now, not right now [laughing]," Alcaraz answered.

"I don't think so too. Forget it, Juan Carlos," Schett continued.

"Forget it Juanki," Alcaraz added.

Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero began working together in 2019, when Alcaraz was just 16. It was under Ferrero's tutelage that the World No. 2 won both his Grand Slam titles (2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon Championships) and also reached the World No. 1 ranking.

Due to his surgery on his left knee, Ferrero has not traveled to Australia with the Spaniard for the Melbourne Slam. He will resume coaching Alcaraz at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters, which commences in March.

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Carlos Alcaraz: "I'm feeling better and better every match that I'm playing"

Carlos Alcaraz speaking to the press at the 2024 Australian Open: Previews

Carlos Alcaraz will go head-to-head with Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Australian Open.

Speaking to the press after defeating Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic in the fourth round, Alcaraz expressed satisfaction at securing a spot in the last eight in Melbourne. He also acknowledged the challenge that awaits him in the form of Zverev, saying that he expects the match to be a "really tough" one.

"Well, it feels better to make the quarterfinal here in Melbourne. It's really big tournament, an amazing tournament. I'm proud with the level that I am playing. So it's going to be a really tough quarterfinal against Sascha. Hopefully to make the semifinal here, but let's see how it's going to be the next match," Carlos Alcaraz said.

The two-time Grand Slam champion added that he would go into the quarterfinal match with a lot of "confidence" as he believes his play is improving every day.

"It's great to find this level, to play this level in the matches. I mean, as I said on the court, I'm feeling better and better every day. I'm feeling better and better every match that I'm playing. (I'm) coming into the quarterfinal with a lot of confidence," he said.

Alexander Zverev currently holds a 4-3 advantage in head-to-head matches against Carlos Alcaraz. Their last meeting at a Grand Slam was in the quarterfinals at the US Open last year, where the Spaniard won in straight sets.