Juan Carlos Ferrero, current coach of World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, has spoken about the importance of having Novak Djokovic remain on tour at the highest level, in order to help Alcaraz's development.
Alcaraz has just enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough season, one in which he not only broke through, but then surged to the top of the pile with a maiden Grand Slam win at the US Open in September.
The scintillating young Spaniard also won two Masters 1000 titles, one of which - at the Madrid Open - saw him beat Nadal and Djokovic back-to-back before going on to secure the title.
However, he won the US Open without facing either of these two all-time greats, something which no doubt aided him maiden major triumph. Despite this, Alcaraz's coach, Ferrero, believes that competing against the likes of Novak Djokovic is crucial to the teenage Spaniard's continued development.
"We need him", said Ferrero, referring to Djokovic. "I think for Carlos to improve his tennis he needs to play against one of the best in the history. Of course Rafa [Nadal] is there to play against him and Novak, we need him. In Madrid Carlos played against Novak and he increased his level to try to win the match, so that’s what we need, to play in the Slams against him, I think it’s very important for Carlos to improve".
Ferrero continued, "Carlos and I were talking about that we’re happy to see Novak there because if you want to win the Australian Open you have to win against the best, and of course it’s good news. But of course it didn’t surprise me at all that he won in Turin".
Ferrero has been coaching Alcaraz since 2018, and the partnership has seen the young Spaniard been reaping rewards on court.
It will be a big year for Carlos Alcaraz. A year in which he will need to learn to get past Novak Djokovic on a regular basis if he is to keep winning the biggest titles.
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