Former world No 3 who beat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal answers whether he would coach Carlos Alcaraz
David Ferrer gave his insight into Carlos Alcaraz’s return to form after his Monte-Carlo Masters victory and answered whether he would coach the world No 2.
The retired former Grand Slam finalist is currently the Director of the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona, a role which will end after the 2025 edition.
Ferrer, despite retiring from directing the Barcelona Open after six years, will continue to fulfil the role of Spain’s Davis Cup captain and have an active role in the sport.
“Honestly, I’m more excited about the players [at the Davis Cup], because I know what they live inside,” said the former world No 3, in an interview with Eurosport.
“As captain, I don’t have that ego of winning the Davis Cup, I already won it as a player, so that hole is filled. If it goes better or worse now, I’m not so obsessed, although I always want to win,
“I’m very competitive. Here the most special thing is to see them happy, and proud to represent their country. In Valencia and Switzerland, I really enjoyed watching the players.
“You live very differently when you are not a player, everything is much calmer. As a player you live with extra pressure that you don’t feel again, neither being captain nor being a coach.”
The topic of the interview then shifted to the world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who may be a valuable addition to the Davis Cup team during Spain’s tie against Denmark in September – just days after the US Open.
“It’s a long way off, I don’t know yet [if Alcaraz will play],” he admitted.
“It remains to be seen what happens at the US Open, the possible injuries, players who are now in the same shape after the summer are not so fit, we have to wait.”
Additionally, Ferrer also responded to previous criticism of Alcaraz who hadn’t won a title after Wimbledon 2024, until the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters.
“In Spain, we are like that, it is something cultural. How many times did they retire Rafa after an injury and then he came back better,” the 2013 Roland Garros finalist commented.
“Carlos is 21 years old and has won four Grand Slams, at the age of 21! What do you want? That he wins all the tournaments? Carlos is a special player, of Rafa’s stature, so let’s enjoy it.
“Nowadays, with the [social] networks, they are very exposed, they are also very young players. It is not the same that they criticise him, compared to being criticized at 43 years old (laughs).
“When I was his age, I didn’t have the same maturity as I have now, no matter how mature Carlos is, he’s still very young, it’s normal that it affects him a little.”
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Before the title lift in Monte Carlo, there was much discussion about whether the four-time Grand Slam champion needed to change figures within his team – citing his game being regularly broken down.
Ferrer, who coached Alexander Zverev from mid-2020 until December 2020, also answered whether he would consider filling the role of coach within Alcaraz’s team – should it become available in the future.
“It is not […] I don’t know. Do you know what? I don’t think that far ahead, life is made up of stages, and you have to know how to start and end them. I’ve learned that very well,” responded the Spaniard.
“In the case of Carlos [Alcaraz], I think he is very well surrounded, he has a very balanced team with Juan Carlos and Samuel, his family, everything close to home, etc.
“Can I coach him? From the outset, it would be a bit arrogant to say yes. I love Carlos, I enjoyed him a lot while being in the chair when he was in the Davis Cup, he reminds me a bit of Rafa [Nadal] because of those special sensations. I like that, but I think Carlos is very well taken care of today.”
