Have you ever wondered what it takes to spot a future champion? It’s not just about skill; it’s about that ‘something special’ that sets them apart. We’re talking about Carlos Alcaraz, the young tennis sensation who’s taken the world by storm. But what if I told you someone saw his potential for greatness years before he was a household name?
Alcaraz’s rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric, fulfilling the immense expectations placed upon him from the start. From a young age, experts predicted he would be a champion. Handling that kind of pressure isn’t easy for anyone, let alone a teenager. It’s clear that Alcaraz’s success isn’t solely his own; it’s a testament to the incredible team surrounding him.
At just 22 years old, the Spaniard already boasts an impressive resume: six Grand Slam titles and eight Masters 1000 victories. And to top it off, he finished a recent season as the world’s number one, finally showcasing the consistency that had eluded him in the past. After a somewhat underwhelming start to that year, Alcaraz found his stride, reaching the finals in almost every tournament he entered. The sole exception? The Paris Masters 1000, where he was surprisingly defeated by Cameron Norrie in the second round. His season culminated at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where he lost a hard-fought final against Jannik Sinner. An injury unfortunately prevented him from competing in the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna.
But here’s where it gets controversial… What exactly makes a champion? Is it innate talent, rigorous training, or a combination of both? Antonio Cascales, former coach of Juan Carlos Ferrero (Alcaraz’s coach), recently spoke with ‘Punto de Break’, praising Ferrero’s exceptional work with Alcaraz. Cascales revealed that Ferrero had received lucrative offers from established players like Dominic Thiem, Juan Martin del Potro, David Goffin, and Simona Halep. But Ferrero chose a different path. He wanted to mold a player from the ground up, someone who wasn’t already set in their ways.
And this is the part most people miss… The foresight. When Alcaraz was just 16, Ferrero asked Cascales for his opinion: Did he think Alcaraz had what it took to become world number one? Cascales’ response was telling: He believed Alcaraz possessed the necessary skills. Even then, it was evident that Alcaraz was a unique talent. “I have to admit that Ferrero did an even better job than I expected,” Cascales conceded.
This begs the question: What qualities did Cascales and Ferrero see in the young Alcaraz that others might have overlooked? Was it his raw power, his mental fortitude, or something more intangible? Some might argue that any talented player can reach the top with the right coaching. Others believe that certain individuals are simply born with a champion’s mindset. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you believe Alcaraz’s success is primarily due to his natural talent, Ferrero’s coaching, or a combination of both? And who do you think is the next young player with the potential to reach the very top of the sport?