Juan Carlos Ferrero has discussed whether the fact Carlos Alcaraz has not won a title since his triumph at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships is a concern.
The former world No 1 and 2003 French Open champion feels Alcaraz has still been “achieving good results”, while recognising that not winning tournaments can affect a player’s confidence level.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in an epic five-set final at Wimbledon in July last year to claim his second Grand slam title, having won his maiden major at the 2022 US Open.
The world No 2 has experienced a more difficult run since Wimbledon and has reached just one final in the 10 events he has played following his triumph. The Spaniard was beaten by Djokovic in a thrilling title match at the Cincinnati Masters in August.
Following a quarter-final exit to Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open in January, Alcaraz was beaten by Nicolas Jarry in the semi-finals of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires in February. He was then forced to retire during his opening round match at the ATP 500 tournament in Rio due to an ankle sprain.
The 20-year-old is set to make his return to the court for the ‘Netflix Slam’ exhibition against Rafael Nadal in Las Vegas on March 3. Alcaraz will then defend his title at the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, which will take place from March 6-17.
In an interview with Marca, Ferrero was asked if he was worried that Alcaraz had not lifted a trophy since his Wimbledon victory.
“He has been achieving good results. The Cincinnati tournament was a shame because we were one point away. At the US Open, he made the semi-finals. When you play with such good people, it is difficult to win every tournament,” the Spaniard said.
“For any player, not winning tournaments can affect your confidence level. For very good players, it is important to achieve the results that one sets in their path. Of course Carlos wants to win, but I see him well, I don’t see him with any type of desire, and that is very important.
“He doesn’t have the stress of I want to win, I want to win. He wants to do things well and wants to improve in every aspect that he can, and at 20 years of age there are many. The objectives are there. Every tournament that goes, the objective is to achieve a good result.
“And if he is physically well, a great result for him is to win. When you have that level and that potential, it is not bad to think that. Then, when you don’t get it, you have to know how to manage it and come out just as motivated.
“Study what has happened and that’s it. And the next game, just as motivated and with things very clear. It can’t take away his confidence if he goes to a tournament and doesn’t win it because tennis is very difficult, and one year you win six titles as has already happened, and the next two.
“Not every year you can win six or seven tournaments and that doesn’t mean it will be a failure. [Michael] Jordan and Tiger [Woods] didn’t win every Grand Slam and every ring every year. We cannot call that a failure. There are many positive things in a year even if you have earned less.
“You may have evolved in aspects that can be useful for the future. That’s where we are. The most important thing is that he is happy, that he trains well, that traveling makes him happy and from there he generates good tennis, which is what he loves. We all agree on that.”
