"This is a wheel which continues": Carlos Alcaraz's coach says tennis star must adapt to demanding nature of ATP Tour

Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz's coach, commented that the Spaniard must get used to the demanding ATP Tour schedule.

The young star is in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in his first appearance in the tournament. Last year, as the world No. 1, he couldn't participate due to an injury after a challenging season. Alcaraz, at the age of 20, has already dealt with injuries, and earlier this year, he had to skip tournaments, including the Australian Open.

Despite achieving remarkable results this season with six titles, including his second Grand Slam at Wimbledon and two Masters 1000 titles in Indian Wells and the Madrid Open, Alcaraz hasn't displayed his best form at the end of the season and lost the world No. 1 ranking to Djokovic.

Juan Carlos Ferrero recently commented that Alcaraz needs to get used to the tough schedule if he wants to remain one of the best in the world.

“All the players arrive with excess miles at the end of the year, there are many weeks in which tournaments are played. And the best take on more matches, more pressure, almost the obligation of having to win in almost every tournament. That excess luggage can weigh more some weeks, and it’s having a bit of an effect on Carlos.”

“I think that professionally he has to start learning that the world of tennis is from January to November. He has to take his breaks, but this is a wheel which continues, and it is a job and that’s where you have to be at,” he added.

“Be more consistent in matches, don’t open doors. Sometimes there are mistakes and it is something that we have to improve a lot. Although it is true that he opens doors, he always competes well and at the highest level.”

“He knows this, the other day he already said that Novak doesn’t give you any [mistakes]. He has to improve his decision-making and he will achieve that with experience. Carlos is very emotional and sometimes that helps him and other times not so much.”

Alcaraz is in the ATP Finals, where he advanced as the group leader and secured a showdown with Novak Djokovic for a spot in the final. The winner will face Jannik Sinner, who is in great form with four consecutive wins and has the home crowd on his side.