Carlos Alcaraz news: Pablo Carreno Busta praises teenager’s maturity on court

ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz

Pablo Carreno Busta has praised the maturity of 18-year-old compatriot Carlos Alcaraz following his Rio Open triumph.

Alcaraz added a Davis Cup singles win to his Rio Open title and notch an eighth match win of 2022 alongside his solitary loss.

Carreno Busta insists that Alcaraz has plenty of learning to do off the court and can even improve his game.

“When he’s on court, he doesn’t look like a boy,” his friend Carreno Busta told ATPTour.com. “He is very mature, but off court he still has things to improve. [His coach] Juan Carlos [Ferrero] knows what it is to be the No. 1 in the world and as that is Carlos’ goal, he takes care of a lot of things.

“For example, Juan Carlos really insists that he [Alcaraz] has to go to bed early,” added Carreno Busta.

“[He also helps with] things like his mobile phone and Instagram…normal, everyday things, but things you have to control.

“That’s also good. Carlos is a kid with a lot of room for improvement.”

Carreno Busta hopes to help his compatriot and double partner continue to grow as a player.

“I’ve managed to help him with certain things, and it’s a genuine pleasure for me,” said the world No 16.

“Hopefully I can continue to help. For me, it would be great news if Carlos learns something from me or watches me, or if I help by training with him.”

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Carreno Busta feels that he has already helped improve young Alcaraz’s touch.

“Drop shots, counter drop shots, tricking your opponent…things you do in training when you’re relaxed, but when it comes to matches, they can really help you,” says Carreno Busta. “Things like that, he copies them, and with great ease because he really learns quickly as soon as you show him something.”

Carreno Busta and Alcaraz are yet to meet in a proper match and the elder isn’t sure he would have his young partner’s number if they did meet.

“At the moment I’m able to beat him in most things,” Carreno Busta said. “At the end of the day, I have more experience at the moment, but in tennis I’m not sure if I’d beat him anymore because he’s improving really fast.”

Carlos Alcaraz Pablo Carreno Busta

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