Roger Federer’s former coach with a Grand Slam warning for Carlos Alcaraz
Roger Federer’s former coach Severin Luthi has insisted Carlos Alcaraz could be about to face his biggest challenge after cementing his status as the new king of tennis.
Alcaraz’s sensational win over Novak Djokovic in last month’s Wimbledon final confirmed his status as the world No 1.
It was also a win that felt like a changing of the guard at the top of the men’s game, but Luthi has suggested the Spanish star still has big hurdles to overcome in his career.
After winning his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, the debate over how many majors Alcaraz will win in his career got underway.
Yet Luthi insists it is too early to predict what Alcaraz will achieve in the game.
“He definitely has what it takes to win many Grand Slam tournaments and yet we don’t know what will happen in two years’ time,” Luthi told Blick.
“What if he hurts himself? What if there’s another one coming out in a few years that we all say is even more incredible? And how someone will react to the great success is something we can’t estimate that early on.
“I guess I’ve been wrong about most of the predictions I’ve made in my life. I still remember when Pete Sampras had won 14 Grand Slam titles, I said: ‘No one will ever achieve that again!’.
“Now we already have three players who have 20 or more Grand Slam wins. And it’s not like 250 years have passed since I made my statement.”
When pressed on Alcaraz’s qualities, Luthi confirmed he was a big fan of the 20-year-old shining star of the men’s game.
“I like watching him, he plays in a variety of ways, something always happens when he’s on the court,” he continued.
“I really like his energy. He also still has ups and downs in his service games. But of course, he is a very complete player.”
Luthi went on to confirm he remains in touch with Federer, even though their professional relationship ended when the Swiss maestro retired last year.
“We recently met via Facetime because it was his two daughters’ birthdays,” he added. “Otherwise the contact is irregular. Roger is still on the road a lot. He still has a special life.
“We are still connected through other things as well. Through the sponsor Uniqlo, for example. Or the Laver Cup. And this year we have already met twice in Dubai. Once when I was vacationing there.
“He enjoys life after his career. He’s always been a world champion at making the best of a situation – cheerful and positive as he is.
“He can now focus on other things: on the family, building the house, his foundation and the sponsors. He no longer has the stress of building up tension before tournaments.
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. Because tennis itself was never the problem. He probably would have played to 100 if he could have.”
Luthi confirmed he was enjoying life away from the ATP Tour after his enduring role in Federer’s inner circle and he is also interested in returning to a coaching role if the right opportunity came his way.
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