Coach Ferrero: 'Alcaraz must understand the 11-month season'

Italy coach of Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Carlos Ferrero, said that the season lasts 11 months but his players often do not play well in the last three months.

*Alcaraz - Djokovic: 3am November 19, Hanoi time.

"The best player is the one who has to participate in more matches, more pressure, almost has to win most of the tournaments," coach Ferrero said after Alcaraz won a ticket to the ATP Finals semi-finals on the evening of November 17. "I think Alcaraz needs to understand better about the 11-month long season. He wants to rest but this is a job that repeats continuously without stopping."

Coach Ferrero (left) has worked with Alcaraz since 2019. Photo: Eurosport — Coach Ferrero (left) has worked with Alcaraz since 2019. Photo: *Eurosport*

Ferrero said Alcaraz had improved somewhat at the ATP Finals, after a losing streak since Wimbledon. He said: "Alcaraz needs to be more consistent in matches. Sometimes he makes mistakes and we have to improve a lot of things. Alcaraz still has not mastered his emotions and this is sometimes good, sometimes not so good."

The 43-year-old coach helped Alcaraz win 65 matches this season, winning six titles. But since Wimbledon, the 20-year-old talent has only reached one final, at the Cincinnati Masters, losing to Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz will meet Nole again in the ATP Finals semi-finals at 3am on November 19, Hanoi time.

"We are not surprised by what Djokovic has done," Ferrero added. "Alcaraz knows that Djokovic will not make mistakes and what you need is to play your best. Nowadays it is difficult to have a personal life parallel to training and playing professionally. Djokovic is the best at that."

Alcaraz drew 2-2 with Djokovic in the head-to-head. He lost the race for the number one spot with his Serbian rival after failing to win tournaments before the ATP Finals in Beijing, Shanghai and Paris.

Coach Ferrero believes that Alcaraz needs more experience to cope with adverse circumstances. He said: "Djokovic lives to play tennis and reach the highest level. It took him many years to do that. Statistically, he is clearly the best in history. It is a very long road for Alcaraz and us."

Vy Anh

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