Andy Roddick ranks Carlos Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero over ‘celebrity coaches’ like Ivan Ljubicic and Boris Becker

Andy Roddick shares an interesting take on Juan Carlos Ferrero's coaching pedigree.

Andy Roddick ranks Carlos Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero over ‘celebrity coaches’ like Ivan Ljubicic and Boris Becker

Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero (via Imago)

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is the face of tennis right now. The Spaniard has won three different Grand Slam titles, with victories at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. He just needs the Australian Open title to complete the Career Grand Slam and if he does so in the next three years, he’ll be the youngest ever to do so.

Alcaraz has specifically credited his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, for his evolution as a tennis player. Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick has also shared his insight into Ferrero’s coaching skills, comparing the former French Open champion to Ivan Ljubicic and Boris Becker. The American discussed this on the Serve With Andy Roddick podcast.

He compared Alcaraz-Carlos Ferrero’s partnership with than of Roger Federer-Ivan Ljubicic and Novak Djokovic-Boris Becker.

FS Video
We have seen coaches come in where it is like Edberg with Roger or Ljubicic with Roger or Becker with Novak. Yes, I get that because they need someone who is at least close to their level to actually feel like they are having a conversation.
Roddick said on the Served With Andy Roddick podcast.

Roddick understands the sacrifices Carlos Ferrero made to coach 14-year-old Alcaraz and lauded him for the same.

Also in the prime of those guys’ careers, I think my cat could have coached them pretty well, they were already established. Ferrero too often gets lumped into this celebrity coaching thing. Right now as I stand, I don’t think I would give up my life as it currently stands to go work with a 14-year-old to develop them into a champion.
Roddick added.

Becker joined Djokovic’s camp in December 2013. The German influenced the Serbian to win six Grand Slams in his three years as coach, including four consecutive Grand Slam victories from Wimbledon 2015 to Roland Garros 2016.

Ljubicic joined Federer’s camp in December 2015. After the Swiss star cut his 2016 season short due to knee surgery. His comeback in 2017 was sensational. Federer won three Grand Slams within 12 months from 2017 to 2018. Moreover, he returned to World No. 1 after winning Rotterdam in March 2018. Ljubicic remained Federer’s coach until the Maestro’s retirement at the Laver Cup in 2022.

Carlos Alcaraz eyes more history in the next five months

Carlos Alcaraz is at the peak of his powers after winning the Roland Garros title. However, his road to World No. 1 starts with the grass-court season. His first test will be defending his titles at Queen’s and Wimbledon. The Spaniard won his first title at SW19 last year against Novak Djokovic in five sets.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz at the Queens (via Imago)

After that, his form dipped, and he only made one more final for the season at Cincinnati, where he lost to Djokovic in three close sets. This season, he also has the Paris Olympics, where he will team up with Rafael Nadal for doubles.

Moreover, Alcaraz has no titles to defend after Wimbledon. As he is most likely to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals, he will also have a chance to win that title.

There are still many achievements Alcaraz can pursue throughout his career. However, it is important that he stays injury-free and focuses on the important tournaments to maintain his tennis level. His main goal, however, will be to win the Australian Open next season and complete the coveted Career Grand Slam.

In case you missed it!