Do you know that Carlos Alcaraz‘s Spanish coach Juan Carlos Ferrero was a Grand Slam winner? As his pupil entered the Wimbledon finals consecutively for the second time, Ferrero’s successful mentorship for Alcaraz is taking center stage. Delving deeper into how he noticed that Alcaraz was “different”, Ferrero’s successful journey with the Spaniard seems rare.

Alcaraz is about to face another nerve-wracking Wimbledon finals against the former world’s number one ATP star Novak Djokovic. The 2024 Roland Garros champion’s performance has once again impressed millions drawing attention to Alcaraz’s famous coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Ferrero revealed when he first noticed this Spanish tennis talent. “I met him when he was 12 or 13 here. He was playing a tournament, small tournament. [I saw] a boy that plays let’s say, different. A lot of drop shots; going to the net; dynamic on the court. Like freedom, very free on the court.”

Alcaraz’s coach for six years, Ferrero started working with him when Alcaraz was 15. Before him, Ferrero had been working with Alexander Zverev. However, Ferrero’s partnership with the German ATP star came to an end after eight months as they had different views on professionalism.  While he remained a “great friends” with Zverev, he started coaching Carlos Alcaraz seeing a great challenge.

Despite financial obstacles, Ferrero decided to take his chance on Alcaraz. “When he accepted and started working with Carlos, he was aware that he was not going to enter or be paid like Ferrero, as a coach of a top player,”- said Alcaraz’s manager Albert Molina.

After six years of guidance, Ferrero’s mentorship helped Carlos Alcaraz to not only become the world’s number third but brought him three Grand Slam titles, including one in Wimbledon last year. In fact, this Spanish coach dropped his compliments for his pupil after Alcaraz entered the Wimbledon finals again.

Juan Carlos Ferrero compliments Alcaraz’s Wimbledon performance as “Scandalous”

Alcaraz has made his country and his coach proud by entering another Grand Slam final within a month of winning the 2024 Roland Garros title. Expressing his sheer happiness, Ferrero said, “I think Carlos’ performances have improved throughout the tournament. His confidence, above all, has kept building until reaching the final. But what he’s doing, having won the title at Roland-Garros, flipping the switch to prepare in this way and reach the final, is scandalous. The level Carlos is producing, above all mentally, handling the pressure everyone puts on him without meaning to… it really is a 10 out of 10 for him.”

Now Ferrero who was also a French Open winner in 2003 worked brilliantly with the Spaniard to make him unbeatable and indomitable on the court. Given that he knew Alcaraz from his teenage, it helped the Spanish coach shape Alcaraz’s playstyle and incorporate the winning mantras in his ears.

Juan Carlos Ferrero’s presence in Carlos Alcaraz’s life covers the Spaniard like a giant tree, that not only protects the ATP star but prepares him to be the future top-three of tennis. Despite seeing the challenge in mentoring the defending Wimbledon champion, Ferrero’s hard work and dedication brought tennis fans a brilliant ATP star who might bear the legacy of Rafael Nadal!