From zero to hero: Alcaraz at the ATP finals, thanks to chit-chat with his coach

Carlos Alcaraz has revealed how his chat with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero helped to turn his fortunes around at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin.

The World No. 2 had a tough start to his run at the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, losing his first tie against Alexander Zverev in three sets, 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-4. However, the Spaniard was able to turn it around with straight-sets victories over Andrey Rublev (7-5, 6-2) and Daniil Medvedev (6-4, 6-4).

After his win against Medvedev, which secured his place in the semi-finals of the season-ending tournament, Alcaraz opened up on how he managed to change his mindset in order to get back to his level, saying that talking with his coach Ferrero was part of what helped him.

"I feel that I am playing the same level that I've been playing the first part of the year. I spoke with Juan Carlos after the first match about giving everything that I have in this tournament," the 20-year-old said, before adding that he wanted to give his all due to it being the last event of the year on the ATP Tour.

"It’s the last tournament of the year. It's time to give my 100 per cent, my everything on these matches. I thought about it the day after in the practice and, of course, the match against Rublev. It was pretty good. Of course, the key is to realise the level I have to play.

"Doesn't matter if I win or I lose, just think about enjoying on the court, staying part of all the results, to [qualify] or not, just to put my own game, enjoy on the court. If I win, it is good. But if I lost, it was the same. I would say that was the key," he continued.

Alcaraz will resume his epic rivalry with World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the ATP Finals. The Serbian player won their most recent clash at the Cincinnati Masters in August, after Alcaraz emerged victorious from their five-set battle in the final of Wimbledon earlier this year.