“He hasn’t improved,” Andy Roddick quickly clears off Carlos Alcaraz after his statement backfires into a “different coach” demand

Roddick had to defend his comment and explain it once again after being taken in the wrong context.

“He hasn’t improved,” Andy Roddick quickly clears off Carlos Alcaraz after his statement backfires into a “different coach” demand

Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Roddick (Credits: ATP Tour and The Tennis Gazette)

Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick found himself in a tough spot recently requiring him to explain his statements clearly. The American recently took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to defend himself after his quotes were taken in the wrong context.

Speaking on his podcast ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, the American talked about Carlos Alcaraz‘s overall game and playing style. While discussing, he emphasized how the Spaniard hasn’t made any modifications to his service game in the last two years.

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Roddick commented on finding Alcaraz’s serving speed going down from what he was firing a couple of years ago. He also pointed out how his limited motion while serving is also holding him back in that particular aspect. As the 20-year-old is still on the verge of reaching his full potential, Roddick highlighted the gaps hoping he improves on it.

FS Video

The comment was made with no disrespect towards Alcaraz’s current coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Ferrero has been hailed as a ‘father figure‘ by the current Wimbledon champ and has credited much of his success to the former French Open winner.

However, one particular Twitter user praised Roddick for his comment and then claimed Alcaraz needs a new coach to learn how to serve better. The American was prompt in replying and quickly cleared the air around his remarks. He also went on to praise Ferrero instead. 

He definitely doesn’t need another coach. JCF has been amazing. Saying his serve hasn’t improved doesn’t mean he hasn’t improved. Night and day from where he was two years ago. They’ve done amazing work.
tweeted Roddick.
https://twitter.com/andyroddick/status/1754524051404370265

Carlos Alcaraz played at the Australian Open without his coach

The pairing of Ferrero and Alcaraz is one of the best on the Tour. Despite having lost his father, Ferrero returned to Miami after the funeral to surprise Alcaraz before the finals. The young gun did not let his coach’s trip go to waste as he won the Masters title, his first-ever.

Carlos Alcaraz hugs an emotional Juan Carlos Ferrero after winning the Wimbledon 2023 (Credits: Wimbledon)
Carlos Alcaraz hugs an emotional Juan Carlos Ferrero after winning the Wimbledon 2023 (Credits: Wimbledon)

The two were seen sharing an emotional hug. At the Barcelona Open, later that season, Alcaraz took Ferrero into the traditional pool dive during the title celebrations. The two are always spotted in dialogue during matches and it is quite clear that there are no second thoughts in Alcaraz’s mind about the coaching change.

Rather he would have felt the absence of Ferrero at the 2024 Australian Open. Having made it to the semi-finals at all Majors except the Australian Open, Alcaraz was trying to complete the set this year. But he lost to Alexander Zverev in four sets in the quarter-finals.

Ferrero had to undergo a medical procedure in December and as a result, couldn’t make the trip to Melbourne. His absence was not only felt by Alcaraz but even by his fans as the young gun for a rare occasion looked blank on the court against the German.

But as he now moves towards the South American clay swing, Ferrero is likely to be present to guide his young ward. Alcaraz will defend his title at the ATP-250 tournament in Buenos Aires. He will then play at the ATP-500 in Rio where he was the finalist in the 2023 edition, giving rise to another 300 points to defend for the Spaniard.

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