Winning tournaments is not his obligation: Carlos Alcaraz still has plenty of room for improvement despite super 2022, says coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open last year and rose to World No. 1 as a result, still has plenty of room for improvement, maintains his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Speaking in a recent interview with Clay Tenis magazine, Ferrero admitted that Alcaraz has had to deal with a lot of changes in his daily life as a result of the superstardom he achieved in 2022. At the same time, he declared that the Spaniard has been quick to adapt to everything, adding that Alcaraz was helped by the fact that he finished the year as the top-ranked ATP player.

"Not if we talk about personality and character, but many of the things that are lived on a daily basis do change. He has had to adapt after the US Open title to everything that is happening to him, that had to take its toll, as was normal, as was to be expected," he said. "But finishing the year as number one gave him more time to adapt better to the new situation."

As good as he is, Juan Carlos Ferrero believes that Alcaraz, the current World No. 2, can become even better with time, provided that he can improve his return, serve consistency, and more. Although he has been ranked No. 1, Ferrero is of the opinion that no 19-year-old can be called a complete player, regardless of how many weapons they already have in their arsenal.

"[Carlos Alcaraz] has a lot of things to improve. The consistency in the serve, in the return to have better directions, to be better at the beginning of the matches, more regular, because many times it costs him a little bit to start," he said. "And on a technical level he also has a lot of things to improve, like his backhand slice, blocking the return…. Things that at 19 years old, no matter how much you are number one, you have to polish."

The former World No. 1 hoped fans would understand that Carlos Alcaraz's obligation now is not to keep winning tournaments but to keep working hard and giving his 100% every single time he hits the tennis court. As long as he can do that, Ferrero is certain that the Spaniard will have another memorable season in 2023.

"To say today what would be a success and what would not is very difficult. to be happy with himself and the work he does, to give one hundred percent, it is his obligation," he said. "Winning tournaments is not his obligation. Winning tournaments is a consequence of that. If [Carlos Alcaraz] doesn’t finish 2023 as number one… You see the names that are up there and how difficult it is, we will do our best to have the best year possible."

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"Carlos Alcaraz has had a fantastic year, to equal it would be a super success" - Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz at the Nitto ATP Finals

Juan Carlos Ferrero further opined that he and Carlos Alcaraz weren't planning to improve on their 2022 season this year, but at the same time, he admitted that his ward does have the ability to "pull things out of his sleeve" and astound him.

"Carlos Alcaraz has had a fantastic year, to equal it would be a super success and to improve on it, you can’t even count on it. And if he plays a little bit worse it’s normal," he said. "But Carlos surprises me a lot, when you think that something is no longer possible, he pulls things out of his sleeve."

Alcaraz's main goal, however, remains growing as a player, despite all the pressure that comes with being one of the favorites at every tournament he takes part in. Ferrero has no doubts about his charge's level, adding that he and his team will ensure that the World No. 2 doesn't feel the pressure too much and focuses on staying at the top for a long time.

"The goal is to keep growing as a player. What we want is for him to stay at the top for a long time, to keep playing well, to keep competing and winning very important tournaments," he said. "Talking about tournaments and success is rash and puts a bit of pressure on him. [Carlos Alcaraz] knows he doesn’t have to, but he is one of the favourites to win tournaments. We know that if he gives the level he will have a chance to win important tournaments."