Roddick Defends Alcaraz’s Coach Amid Expectations Reset

MONTE CARLO, Monaco — American tennis great Andy Roddick has come to the defense of Carlos Alcaraz‘s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, amidst growing calls from fans for Alcaraz to replace him. Roddick insists that the expectations surrounding current players should be recalibrated following the dominance of the sport’s Big Three: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.

Ferrero, a former world No. 1 and French Open champion, has been coaching Alcaraz since 2018, when the young Spaniard joined his academy at the age of 16. Under Ferrero’s guidance, Alcaraz surged to prominence, becoming the youngest world No. 1 after his first Grand Slam win at the 2022 US Open.

The 21-year-old, currently ranked third in the ATP Rankings, has secured a total of four major titles, showcasing a meteoric rise that has yet to be fully appreciated, according to Roddick. Despite this success, Alcaraz has faced criticism following a lackluster start to the 2025 season, which included an early quarter-final exit at the Australian Open. He has since captured one title at the Rotterdam Open and reached the later stages of tournaments in Doha and Indian Wells.

In a recent discussion on Tennis Channel, Roddick expressed concerns that Alcaraz is being judged against unattainable standards. “Do you guys remember the crazy times before the Big Three when players didn’t make the finals every week?” Roddick stated. “We have to reset expectations. Carlos already has more majors than Andy Murray and is halfway toward icons like Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi. It’s absurd what he’s done.”

Roddick further emphasized his stance, asserting that those calling for a coaching change do not understand the nuances of player development: “Anyone calling for a coaching change doesn’t know anything about coaching,” he said.

Renowned coach Paul Annacone also weighed in, describing calls for Alcaraz to part ways with Ferrero as “a little crazy.” Annacone, who has coached several notable players, highlighted Alcaraz’s unpredictable playing style, which could contribute to performance fluctuations.

<p“Look, we all like to jump to big conclusions when great players have stumbling blocks,” Annacone said. “Alcaraz has so much variety that it’s natural for him to experience more ups and downs compared to more consistent players like Jannik Sinner.”

As Alcaraz competes at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he defeated Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals, the focus remains on his quest for a title at the prestigious event. Alcaraz will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the semifinals, where he hopes to earn his first title at the Masters 1000 level this year.

Additionally, excitement is building for the upcoming Netflix documentary titled “Carlos Alcaraz: My Way,” set to be released on April 23. The film will delve into Alcaraz’s journey, including challenges faced throughout the 2024 season and the sacrifices made to reach the top of his sport. The trailer features appearances from legends like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

Ultimately, as the tennis world continues to navigate a post-Big Three era, the discourse surrounding Alcaraz and Ferrero serves as a poignant reminder of the evolving landscape of competitive tennis.