Wimbledon: Juan Carlos Ferrero heaps praise on Carlos Alcaraz ahead of final against Novak Djokovic – ‘Scandalous’ – Eurosport

Juan Carlos Ferrero has labelled Carlos Alcaraz’s achievements as “scandalous” ahead of the world No. 3’s Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard, who is the defending champion at the All England Club, plays the world No. 2 and seven-time champion for the second successive year in Sunday’s showpiece finale.

The Australian Open is the major that eludes him as he pursues a career Grand Slam.

Alcaraz’s coach Ferrero believes that the 21-year-old’s performances have improved through the tournament, especially considering his tough run-in to Sunday’s final and his lack of match practice on grass in the lead-up to Wimbledon.

“We’re very happy,” said Ferrero. “I think Carlos’ performances have improved throughout the tournament. His confidence, above all, has kept building until reaching the final.

“But what he’s doing, having won the title at Roland-Garros, flipping the switch to prepare in this way and reach the final, is scandalous.

“The level Carlos is producing, above all mentally, handling the pressure everyone puts on him without meaning to… it really is a 10 out of 10 for him.”

Ferrero believes that Alcaraz’s consistency to keep playing at the highest level is the most surprising thing about him.

“He’s surprising everyone,” Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, said.

“I think we’re very clear about his level, but generating it every week… People should know that’s tremendously difficult to do. That’s why there’s so much admiration for Rafa [Nadal], Novak [Djokovic] and Roger [Federer], who did it for so many years. Carlos is walking in their footsteps and that’s surprising even for the team.”

Ferrero, who twice reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, also voiced how impressed he was that Djokovic had gone from surgery just 37 days ago to a Wimbledon final.

“What we know [about Djokovic] is that 37 days ago he was going under the knife, and now he’s in the Wimbledon final,” he said.

“You have to adapt to the reality, and the reality is that he has recovered from the operation very quickly and very well. I think he’s managed to play at a good level again, and the most important thing for him is to be in optimal physical condition.

“He’s moving well, we’re seeing him slide without problems when he’s moving. We have to plan the match expecting a battle at least like that of last year. I’ve been telling Carlos it’s going to be five hours again, so his mental level must be very high.”

The Spaniard, despite coaching Alcaraz, admitted that he thought Djokovic was the favourite going into the match.

“If we’re realistic, because of the experience he has of these kinds of finals and the number of titles he has at Wimbledon, the favourite is Djokovic,” Ferrero said.

“Obviously, we know the potential Carlos has. In the team, we like to think that if Carlos plays well he will make things very difficult for Novak, but we know Djokovic’s level. Even on bad days he knows what to do and how to come through those problems, so we’re expecting a very high level in the match from Novak.”