World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will compete at the Australian Open without his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in the box! Former world no. 1 underwent an arthroscopy on his left knee, having to stay home for a few more weeks. Thus, Carlos will chase his first Australian Open title without his long-term coach, sailing through uncharted territory. Samuel Lopez will work with the young Spaniard until Juan Carlos recovers. Ferrero should return with his pupil on the practice court in Indian Wells in March. Alcaraz will compete in Melbourne for the third time. The 17-year-old passed three qualifying rounds in 2021 and earned his first Major victory.
Last year, Carlos lost a thriller versus Matteo Berrettini, falling in five sets after over four hours. It remains Carlos’ most recent Australian Open match, skipping this year’s edition due to a hamstring injury. Alcaraz enjoyed a great run in 2022, winning his first Major title and lifting a couple of Masters 1000 crowns, doing enough to finish as the youngest year-end no. 1 player. Carlos could not repeat that in 2023, battling with Novak Djokovic but losing ground after the US Open, setting for the year-end no. 2 spot. After skipping the Australian Open, Alcaraz started his season victoriously in Buenos Aires in February before losing the Rio final to Cameron Norrie.
Carlos Alcaraz will travel to Australia without Juan Carlos Ferrero.
A teenager claimed his third Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, securing 1000 ATP points and becoming world no. 1 again. Carlos could not stay there for long, failing to defend the Miami Masters crown and pushing Djokovic back in front. The home favorite defended his trophies in Barcelona and Madrid, claiming 1500 ATP points and passing Djokovic ahead of Roland Garros despite an early Rome Masters loss. Alcaraz ended his third world no. 1 reign after the semi-final loss to Djokovic in Paris, cracking under pressure after the second set and feeling cramps in his entire body. The young gun recovered and showed his skills on the fastest surface despite the lack of experience. Carlos claimed his first grass-court title at Queen’s, gaining a boost ahead of Wimbledon. Alcaraz met Djokovic at The All England Club in the title clash, seeking his second Major crown.
The Spaniard ousted the Serb in thrilling five sets after a massive battle, securing his sixth and last ATP title of the season. Carlos and Novak played another memorable final in Cincinnati, with the more experienced player prevailing after almost four hours in a nail-biter. It remains Alcaraz’s last ATP final, with semi-final losses at the US Open, Beijing and the ATP Finals. Carlos wrapped up his season in Turin, reaching the last four after beating Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev. The youngster met Djokovic again and claimed only five games, having to work harder to overcome the GOAT in 2024.
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