David Ferrer has become the latest figure to praise Spanish rising star Carlos Alcaraz who he believes will ‘without a doubt’ have a better career than him.
Alcaraz is enjoying a breakthrough season on the Tour after achieving a series of milestones, including winning two masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid. He is the youngest player to beat both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at the same tournament, as well as the youngest player in history to win an ATP 500 event.
On Saturday the 19-year-old secured his place in the final of the Hamburg Open which also guarantees him a spot in the world’s top five next week for the first time in his career. He started the season ranked 32nd in the world.
Speaking about the youngster during an interview with Super Deporte, Ferrer has backed his compatriot to win multiple major titles, as well as claim the world No.1 ranking one day. He also believes he will become a better tennis player than he was. Ferrer won 27 ATP Tour titles during his career and recorded 54 wins over top 10 players.
“Alcaraz is a great player, and without a doubt he is going to be a much better tennis player than me, that is very clear to me,” he said.
“Carlos has to make his career, but I’m sure he’s going to reach number one and win Grand Slams because mentally he’s a very well-established player. I know his team very well, from his representative Albert and his coaching staff with Juan Carlos Ferrero at the helm, who has also had the experience of being world number one, and has very clear ideas.”
Alcaraz has already won four titles this season which is something that has only been achieved on the ATP Tour by one other player. His idol Nadal won the first two major events of 2022, as well as two other tournaments. Speaking to reporters in Hamburg, he admits his meteoric rise in the sport has come as a surprise in one respect.
“I have had surprising results this year, I did not expect to evolve as fast as I did, but I work for it,” he said.
“As I always say, hard work pays off, although in my case it was all a bit quick and surprising. I try to keep learning, keep adding experiences and always try to give my best version in each game.
“I feel that I play for myself, for my team and my family, I don’t focus on the expectations that people may have. I just push it away.”
Alcaraz will play Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the Hamburg final on Sunday. He currently has a win-loss record of 39-4 this year and has won at least one set in all matches he has played. Should he win he would become only the third player in the Open Era to have won his first six finals played on the ATP Tour after Ernests Gulbis and Martin Klizan.
