Google News 'Carlos Alcaraz always wanted to face Stefanos Tsitsipas,' says former No. 1
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 2474
The former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero has stayed in tennis after his retirement, running the Academy and working with the upcoming stars. In the last couple of years, Juan Carlos has been sharing his knowledge and experience with the next Spanish big thing, Carlos Alcaraz.
The young Spaniard has made incredible progress in the last two seasons, passing a big group of rivals almost every month to find himself on the verge of the top-50! Since last August, Carlos has played on a high level, winning three Challenger titles in the closing stages of 2020 and shifting that form to the ATP level in the current season to win 21 matches.
Under Ferrero's close guidance, Carlos claimed the first ATP title in Umag and qualified for two Majors at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, standing three victories in total in Paris and Melbourne.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets at the Australian Open.
Alcaraz saved his best tennis for the US Open, beating three rivals to find himself in the fourth round as the youngest player since Pete Sampras and Michael Chang in 1989!
In the third round, Carlos stunned world no. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets for his most notable victory at 18 and a place in the last 16. Battling hard, Alcaraz overcame a massive deficit in the third set and stayed calm in the decider to claim ith in the tie break.
Juan Carlos praised his pupil following a marvelous performance, saying he always wanted to meet Stefanos on the court and doing everything right to beat the Greek and make a name for himself. "It's more difficult to watch as a coach because you have to stay on your seat and you can not do anything.
You can talk and give some advice before, but it's so much worse. I think it was an extraordinary match to live as a coach and also for Carlos. I think this match is going to increase his confidence and his level from now on.
I had soft knees watching this match and a feeling this could be a special one. He wanted to play Tsitsipas for a long time ago; they finally met in New York, and he did a superb job. I think Carlos felt very comfortable from the baseline; being aggressive all the time is his kind of game.
He has much speed on his forehand and likes to go forward and attack. Carlos is not a super-rally man. He was on a plan from the very beginning, and I think he did very well from start to finish," Juan Carlos Ferrero said.