‘Mature’ Alexander Zverev Should Rehire Juan Carlos Ferrero After Carlos Alcaraz Split, Suggests Andrea Petkovic

Now that Juan Carlos Fererro is no longer in Carlos Alcaraz‘s entourage, Alexander Zverev should rehire him, believes former WTA player Andrea Petkovic. Last December, Alcaraz announced on his social media that he ended his seven-year partnership with the former World No.1.

Prior to joining Alcaraz’s team in 2019, Ferrero worked with the three-time Grand Slam finalist, joining his team in July 2017. But the partnership ended in February the following year. Ferrero accused the World No.3 of lacking discipline and professionalism.

Petkovic, during Tennis Channel’s The Big T Podcast, said she isn’t worried about Ferrero’s job situation, saying everyone, including her if she were still playing, would want to work with him. The former World No.9 also suggested that Zverev should approach Ferrero once again.

The problem for Alexander Zverev-because you mentioned the No.3 in the world, who is Alexander Zverev right now- the problem for him is he’s kind of burned that bridge. He has already worked with Ferrero and that didn’t end super amicably because Zverev was late for practice and Juan Carlos expects a lot of discipline and we have heard him talk in that documentary about Carlos Alcaraz how he expects his player to be very professional and on time and that it’s a relationship of mutual respect and he didn’t feel like he got that from Alexander Zverev.

Andrea Petkovic said

The 2003 French Open champion expected the high standard of professionalism from Alcaraz as well. Last year’s Netflix documentary, Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, highlighted their clash of opinions regarding work ethic as the youngster also wanted to prioritize rest and fun when he gets a little gap in the hectic 11-month tennis calendar.

I will say that Alexander Zverev now is much more mature. He’s a little bit older and more experienced, maybe has changed his way. So that would be a possibility for him to maybe ask him, but everybody else is there, and everybody else should, you know, try to poach him. If I was a top 10, if I was a top 20, top 30 player, I would try to poach Juan Carlos like you don’t even know. I’d be sliding into his DM like Novak Djokovic slides on grass.

Andrea Petkovic added

Under Ferrero, the German ATP ace lifted one Masters 1000 title. But Ferrero guided Alcaraz to the No.1 ranking and to his 24 ATP singles titles, including the six Majors. Last year, Alcaraz also reached the title clash of the ATP Finals, though he failed to end it in his favor.

Brad Gilbert thinks Juan Carlos Ferrero should join a WTA player’s team after parting ways with Carlos Alcaraz

Coco Gauff‘s former coach, Brad Gilbert, doesn’t think Juan Carlos Ferrero would be rushing to find a player to coach. Ferrero himself has said in an interview in the aftermath of his separation from Carlos Alcaraz that he would not be back on the tour as a coach in the near future.

At present, the men’s tour is largely dominated by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Gilbert is convinced Ferrero would not be working with the World No.2, and suggested that the 45-year-old instead should join a WTA player’s team.

I feel like the women’s game is way more wide open at the top than the men’s game. Sinner ain’t going nowhere. Alcross ain’t going nowhere. So, I’m feeling like JCF could maybe instantly do some genius work with somebody in the [women’s side], somebody adding him into the mix because you don’t have a Sinner.

Brad Gilbert said on Tennis Channel’s The Big T Podcast

The Australian Open is around the corner, and Alcaraz will be aiming to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam. But the 22-year-old has never reached the semifinals.

Also read: Mirra Andreeva Gets Real About ‘Impossible’ Expectations After Brisbane Win

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