Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero had been arguably tennis’ most dynamic duo in 2022. It’s solely becoming that every one ended the 12 months with an ATP Award. Alcaraz earned Most Improved Participant honors earlier this week, whereas Ferrero–Alcaraz’s full-time coach–was named Coach of the Yr.
This previous season the 19-year-old surged to No. 1 on the earth thanks partly to a U.S. Open title together with Masters 1000 triumphs in Miami and Madrid. He additionally lifted ATP 500 trophies in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona.
“I’m actually completely satisfied to obtain this award, and I wish to say thanks to all my colleagues who voted me because the Most Improved Participant of the Yr,” mentioned Alcaraz. “For me it’s an incredible achievement. This 12 months has been a extremely good 12 months for me, a dream 12 months for me, and I’m trying to enhance the 12 months in 2023. Thanks very a lot.”
Holger Rune, Maxime Cressy, and Jack Draper had been additionally up for Most Improved Participant.
Coinciding with Alcaraz’s success, Ferrero’s Coach of the Yr Award was no shock. They began working collectively in 2019, actually started to take off in 2021, and have now reached the very best of highs–each on the Grand Slam degree and the ATP rankings. One among 2022’s memorable photos was Ferrero returning to Miami after attending his father’s funeral Spain, arriving in time for the ultimate (wherein Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud, simply as he did six months later on the U.S. Open).
“This 12 months has been an incredible 12 months,” Ferrero assured. “Gladly, all of the onerous work has been rewarded with outcomes and now with this superb prize. I’m extraordinarily completely satisfied to win the ATP Coach of the Yr Award. Thanks all of you for the help.
“I noticed [Alcaraz] at 13,” Ferrero added. “He got here to the academy (Equelite Sport Academy in Alicante, Spain). We skilled sooner or later; he was very small, however everybody was speaking about him. He had all the things he has now, however in miniature. Formally, I noticed him when he acquired his first ATP level at 14 years of age, then you might see how he competed. When he arrived on the academy at 15, he was a stick; he was quick however didn’t have any muscle groups. Even so, we noticed one thing very particular.”
“It’s taking place in a short time. It’s a shock to everybody, besides to me, as a result of I practice with him day by day and I do know what he can do. I used to be positive that if it wasn’t this 12 months, it might be the following. Now we wish to preserve going.”
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may observe him on twitter at @Dimonator.
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