Federer’s ex-coach makes Alcaraz claim as Nadal comparisons rubbished

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Roger Federer’s former coach has claimed that Carlos Alcaraz is similar to his former charge. Paul Annacone shut down the constant comparisons between Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal following the teenager’s Indian Wells victory. And the American tennis coach thought Alcaraz had something Nadal didn’t at his age.

Alcaraz added another trophy to his cabinet on Sunday as he won his eighth career title in Indian Wells. The Spaniard is now just the second man in history Masters events before turning 20 behind Nadal – the player he is often compared to.

The 19-year-old’s career has mirrored his compatriot’s at times as he won the Barcelona Open and broke into the top 10 exactly 18 years to the day that Nadal did the same in 2005. But Federer’s former coach has now claimed that Alcaraz is more like the Swiss star, rubbishing the Nadal comparisons.

“I think he’s a lot more like Roger than Rafa,” Annacone told the New York Times. The tennis coach and pundit explained that Alcaraz had some extra tactics up his sleeve that Nadal hadn’t managed at the same stage of his own career.

Just in
Emma Raducanu’s amazing body transformation after stepping up training [LATEST]

The current coach of Taylor Fritz added: “Because Rafa couldn’t take the ball early like this when he was 19, and Rafa couldn’t come forward like this. Roger could always stay on the baseline and always look like he had time, and that’s how this kid looks.”

Annacone continued to pile praise on the teenager’s game as he confessed that Alcaraz could do “everything” already. “The interesting thing for me is watching someone who is this athletically talented with his running, jumping, explosiveness and flexibility, but also has the hand-eye coordination to be able to take the ball early on the rise, come forward and volley,” he said.

“He also can back up and change pace. He can do everything.” After defeating Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final, Alcaraz himself claimed that he hadn’t made any improvements to his game and instead changed his mindset.

Don’t miss…
Navratilova declares she’s ‘cancer-free’ in emotional Morgan interview [UPDATE]
Djokovic could’ve been £9.3m richer if he’d had Covid vaccine [FEATURE]
Emma Raducanu packing on the muscle after vowing to improve [ANALYSIS]

12 months ago, an 18-year-old Alcaraz reached the semi-final in Indian Wells where he lost to Nadal in an epic three-setter. After going all the way this year, he said he hadn’t improved despite Annacone’s claims about his game – hinting that he was always so capable.

“Well, I think my tennis didn’t improve so much since last year. What I improve a lot is to don’t take the pressure, just to play relaxed, you know. That’s for me the most important thing,” he told reporters in the Californian desert.

“That’s why I show a great level, because I feel like I have no pressure. I enjoy. I’m playing relaxed. I would say I improved that a lot, and that’s why I’m playing a good level.”

Source: Read Full Article