Carlos Alcaraz opens up about one concern ahead of Australian Open – ‘It’s difficult’

Shahida Jacobs 13 Jan 2024 7:50 AM

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz takes a drink during a press conference

Carlos Alcaraz admits not having his regular coach Juan Carlos Ferrero with him at this year’s Australian Open is a bit of a blow, but at the same time he is confident in the coaching team that has travelled with him to Melbourne.

Ferrero, who has mentored Alcaraz since 2019, was unable to accompany the world No 2 to Australia as he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and he has limited movement as he is still on crutches.

The experienced Samuel Lopez is taking charge of the coaching duties in Ferrero’s absence.

“It’s hard not having Juan Carlos here because he travels almost every tournament, he [only] misses one or two,” Alcaraz said.

“It’s difficult to face a big tournament without him, but Samuel is with me and he’s a great coach. Both Juan Carlos and I believe in him. In the end we are a team.”

Alcaraz kicks off his 2024 campaign against veteran Richard Gasquet on Monday and he will head into the match slightly undercooked after opting not to play any warm-up tournaments before the Australian Open.

After missing last year’s season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne due to injury, Alcaraz and his team took a different approach to this year’s tournament as he only played two exhibition matches.

There have been question marks over his decision to take an extended holiday with former world No 1 Alex Corretja describing it as “unusual”, but the 20-year-old is happy with his pre-season.

“We finished last season late and I preferred to have a vacation to recover my body and mind,” he explained. “I wanted to have a good pre-season. I needed four or five weeks and that is what we talked about with my team and we opted to come directly to Australia.”