Carlos Alcaraz has been excelling recently, showcasing his remarkable skills on clay courts.
The young Spanish player bounced back impressively from a challenging period on hard courts with an outstanding performance at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Alcaraz claimed victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the final, winning 3-6, 6-1, 6-0, which secured him his sixth Masters 1000 title and his inaugural win in the principality.
Riding on that success, Alcaraz reached the final of the Barcelona Open shortly thereafter.
However, after facing Holger Rune, Alcaraz suffered an injury that prevented him from participating in his home Masters event in Madrid.
As he prepares for his return in Rome at the Italian Open, Patrick Mouratoglou has pointed out potential issues that could impact the 22-year-old’s relationship with his coach.
Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero openly discussed Alcaraz’s dedication to the sport in the Netflix documentary about the four-time Major champion.
Differences in their perspectives became apparent when Alcaraz chose to celebrate in Ibiza prior to winning Wimbledon in 2023.
On Instagram, Naomi Osaka’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, expressed his surprise at Ferrero’s comments regarding Alcaraz’s commitment.
“What Carlos [Alcaraz] has achieved at such a young age is incredible,” he stated, adding, “Hearing that his coach publicly expressed doubts about his full commitment was unexpected. It invites criticism and is difficult to manage.”
Mouratoglou elaborated on Alcaraz’s mindset, suggesting that his approach might be a way to alleviate pressure, though he stressed it’s not the best strategy.
Mouratoglou also speculated on the potential aftermath of Ferrero’s comments and their implications for both the player and coach moving forward.
He suggested, “If the coach feels it’s necessary to motivate the player externally, it may indicate unresolved issues in their relationship.”
Questions have been raised regarding Ferrero’s role in Alcaraz’s career this year, especially since the young star’s wins at the Rotterdam Open and Monte-Carlo Masters occurred without Ferrero present, as Alcaraz was assisted by Samuel Lopez.
During the documentary, Ferrero indicated he might step back from his coaching role if standards fell.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Path to the 2025 Italian Open Title
Alcaraz and Ferrero are keen to capture their first title together at the Italian Open, as the Spanish player has only won two matches at this event since his debut in 2023.
Fortunately for Alcaraz, 2025 sees him placed in a different section of the draw from his previous opponent, although he will still face numerous formidable contenders.
Route to the Title (By Ranking)
Alcaraz will begin his Italian Open campaign against either Yoshihito Nishioka or Dusan Lajovic on Friday, May 9. He is likely the favorite in the early rounds, but will need to remain cautious against potential threats like Jack Draper in the quarterfinals, who recently defeated him at Indian Wells.
Should he advance past Draper, a challenging match against defending champion Alexander Zverev could follow. Alcaraz has a competitive 4-5 record against Zverev, having faced him multiple times in previous tournaments.
Time will tell whether Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner will reach the finals in Rome, but it promises to be an exciting event.
