MIAMI – Indian Wells champion Carlos Alcaraz has plenty to smile about heading into this week’s Miami Open, and he has thanked his long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero for helping him regain top form after a brief absence from his box at the start of the season.
Former world No. 1 Ferrero, who retired from playing in 2012, underwent knee surgery and was absent from the Australian Open in January, when the 20-year-old Alcaraz lost in the quarter-finals to Alexander Zverev.
The 2003 French Open champion returned to his Spanish compatriot’s dugout in time for the latter’s run to the semi-finals in Buenos Aires, before an injured ankle saw the world No. 2 pull out of his opener in Rio de Janeiro.
However, Alcaraz – now fit and fighting again – picked up his first title of the season in the Californian desert on March 17 and paid tribute to the 44-year-old Ferrero’s “special” support.
“It depends on how he’s watching me. If I’m struggling a lot, if I’m having problems or not, he tells me depending on the moments,” Alcaraz said on March 19.
“But one of the things he tells me most is to smile.
“He means a lot to me. It’s great support when I have him in the box. His support is special to me. It’s been a long path together, six years now.
“We’ve done great work together. I spend a lot of time with him at tournaments and (outside) as well. We have a really good relationship in the professional part, but the personal part as well. I’ve learnt a lot from him.”
The two-time Grand Slam champion is looking to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the “Sunshine Double” – winning the Indian Wells and Miami Open titles back to back. The two tournaments are termed as a pair because of the hot desert conditions in California and Florida at this time of the year.
Alcaraz will face either Australian Aleksandar Vukic or fellow Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena on March 23.
“I’m playing great. I’m really happy to be in Miami again, a special place, where I’ve shown great tennis the past years,” said Alcaraz, who won his first Masters 1000 title in Miami in 2022 and currently boasts a 12-3 season record.
“I’m feeling great physically and mentally. I’m ready for this tournament.” REUTERS
