'It's impossible to compare anyone with Nadal,' says former No. 1 Ferrero

The 17-year-old Carlos Alcaraz has qualified for his first Major tournament in Doha, looking forward to competing at the Australian Open from February 8 as the youngest main draw player.

Carlos is currently ranked 141st after scoring his first ATP win in 2020 and three Challenger titles from four finals following the season restart in August! The young Spaniard works with former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero at his Academy. The 2003 Roland Garros champion has been guiding a teenager during his first professional steps, saving him away from big expectations and focusing on his game and improvements.

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Juan Carlos likes the fact that Alcaraz has become the youngster to watch. However, he still doesn't want to compare him with anyone, especially not with the 20-time Major Rafael Nadal, calling that the mission impossible after everything that Nadal has achieved.

"It's inevitable to make comparisons, but the fewer there are, the better. It's impossible to match what Rafael Nadal achieved. We are trying to keep Carlos calm and focused on his tennis, regardless if he becomes world no. 1 or stays outside the top-15. The most important thing for him is to work hard; the achievements and numbers will come in the future.

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That's why we all try to keep him away from big record lists or comparisons; that's not good for him at this stage of his young career and could only bring mount pressure on his back. The good thing is that Carlos takes everything well, making his way and working hard for every victory," Juan Carlos Ferrero said.