Carlos Alcaraz has been without Juan Carlos Ferrero since the Australian Open last month.
Alcaraz was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, with his bid to complete the Career Grand Slam put on hold for at least another year.
The Spaniard appeared to put that defeat firmly behind him, with Alcaraz winning the Rotterdam Open in his first tournament since the Melbourne major.
This was Alcaraz’s first title on indoor hard courts, as he matched his now retired compatriot Rafael Nadal.
Although his main coach was not with him in Rotterdam, Juan Carlos Ferrero reacted to Alcaraz’s win.
Juan Carlos Ferrero pleased with Carlos Alcaraz’s attitude since the Australian Open
Ferrero was not with Alcaraz once again for his debut appearance in Doha, with the 21-year-old instead being coached by Samuel Lopez.
However, the world number three has now seen his seven-match winning streak come to an end at the hands of Jiri Lehecka.
Prior to this defeat, Ferrero spoke to Eurosport Spain about what has surprised and impressed him about Alcaraz since the Australian Open.
Alcaraz had a cold at the Rotterdam Open, with Ferrero suggesting that the Spaniard’s attitude was above his tennis level.
“I thought that Carlos would lose his motivation when he went from playing a Grand Slam to dropping to ATP 500’s, but he has shown that maturity is something very important for him right now,” said Ferrero. “He has played very well in Rotterdam and at the start in Doha. And I am referring above all to attitude.
“In Rotterdam, on a physical level, he was not 100% because he arrived with a cold and tennis-wise I think it was not his best week, but due to his attitude he pulled through. It was a very good feeling. We hope that in Doha he can make it to the end of the week.”
Juan Carlos Ferrero explains why Carlos Alcaraz changed his schedule for 2025?
Alcaraz changed his schedule for 2025, having previously only competed at the South American clay court swing in this part of the season.
When explaining why this decision was made, Ferrero revealed that it was his idea for Alcaraz to try and improve his level on indoor courts.
“I wanted him to improve on indoor surfaces,” Ferrero continued. “Not so much on hard courts, because he has a very good level there. The Rotterdam tournament always has a very tough draw, with names of very important tennis players. It is always difficult to win there. Victory is worth double.
“The one who has not changed the surface is more comfortable. You don’t have to change movements. In South America it is very hot, changing the surface only for two tournaments, it is very physically demanding, etc.
“I was thinking about changing for some time, we hadn’t found the time and this year it was possible.”
Alcaraz will now have some time away from the matchcourt before reuniting with Ferrero at Indian Wells, where he is the two-time defending champion.
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