Carlos Alcaraz’s coach names the Spaniard’s three key rivals in Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner claim
Juan Carlos Ferrero has claimed that Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are not the two main rivals Carlos Alcaraz has, as he identified Alexander Zverev as a player “to take into account.”
The former world No 1 recognised Djokovic and Sinner are “the ones who are consistently showing the highest level”, but stressed all rivals “deserve maximum respect.”
World No 2 Alcaraz holds a 2-3 record against top-ranked Djokovic, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion winning three of the duo’s four encounters last year.
Australian Open champion Sinner, meanwhile, has won four of his seven clashes with Alcaraz, including the last two meetings — with their most recent matchup coming in Beijing in October.
World No 6 Zverev has also proved a challenging opponent for Alcaraz, with the German building a 5-3 advantage over the 20-year-old Spaniard.
While two of Zverev’s wins came in 2021 before Alcaraz established himself as a top player, he has won both of the pair’s Grand Slam meetings — including a four-set triumph in this year’s Australian Open quarter-finals.
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz’s coach addresses if the Spaniard’s title drought since Wimbledon is a worry
In an interview with Marca, Ferrero highlighted the threat of Zverev and other top 10 players when asked if Djokovic and Sinner are the two rivals for Alcaraz to beat.
“No, especially, because he has lost to Zverev and is a rival to take into account. And all those who are in the top 10 are going to make it difficult for them,” the Spaniard said.
“All rivals deserve maximum respect. It is clear that Djokovic and Sinner are the ones who are consistently showing the highest level. I respect everyone.
“No, [Alcaraz is not more aware of Sinner then before] because Sinner, we already knew that in the last two years he had touched the crossbar in many tournaments.
“Last year, when he achieved his first Masters 1000, we all commented on the circuit that he was very close to winning his first Grand Slam. Now that he has won it, his confidence increases. And looking to the future he is a candidate to take into account.”
The 2003 French Open champion addressed whether ranking has become secondary for Alcaraz given he has already been the world No 1.
“The ranking is always important because of what the player sees, because of the results. It is a consequence of playing well. The ranking comes. The important thing is that he is happy and generates good tennis, which is what he loves,” Ferrero explained.
Ferrero also gave his response to former world No 3 David Ferrer’s assessment that Alcaraz was the favourite to win the 2024 French Open.
“If he arrives with confidence, after having a good tour on land, he is one of the favourites. The top favourite? I think it is not necessary to get into that role. If he plays well and shows all his power, he can surely be one of the favourites to win,” he added.
