How Did Alcaraz's 15-Day Training Camp Propel Him to Victory?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 15-Day Training Camp: Focused preparation helped refine Alcaraz's skills.
- Victory Over Sinner: Alcaraz triumphed in a crucial match to reclaim his top ranking.
- Historical Achievement: Became the youngest male player with six major titles.
- Coaching Strategy: Emphasized the importance of early aggression in play.
- Variety in Play: Alcaraz's versatility gives him a competitive edge.
New York, Sep 8 (NationPress) Following Carlos Alcaraz's remarkable victory at the US Open, where he seized his second title and ascended to the No. 1 position in the ATP rankings, coach Juan Carlos Ferrero disclosed that the young Spaniard underwent a rigorous 15-day training camp. This camp was meticulously designed to refine the specifics that would enable him to outmaneuver the Italian contender, Jannik Sinner.
Previously, Alcaraz had triumphed over Sinner to secure the Roland Garros trophy, a match where he had to fend off three championship points. However, just two months ago, he faced defeat against Sinner in the final of Wimbledon.
During that grass-court major, Sinner emerged victorious in four sets, claiming his fourth Grand Slam title and closing the gap to one trophy behind his rival. Alcaraz had much to contemplate, and according to Ferrero, he did just that.
“It was crucial for our preparation. We dedicated 15 days to honing in on the areas that needed improvement for our matchup with Jannik. On hard courts, Jannik presents a formidable challenge, consistently winning matches. This focused preparation was instrumental as Carlos identified the aspects he needed to enhance,” Ferrero stated.
In a stellar performance, Alcaraz bested his fierce rival with a scoreline of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, thus securing his second US Open title and making history as the youngest male player to achieve six major titles. This victory marks his return to the top of the ATP rankings for the first time since September 2023, also ending Sinner's 65-week reign at the summit.
“We prepared effectively, analyzing matches and pinpointing the specific strategies we had to employ. Carlos executed everything perfectly, which is often easier said than done,” Ferrero added.
“Today’s performance was exceptional. He committed himself to maintaining pressure on his opponent earlier than Jannik. This was key,” Ferrero remarked.
“Both players strike the ball with incredible speed, and the one who strikes first generally gains the upper hand. Carlos possesses greater variety in his game, allowing him to utilize techniques such as slicing and net play more than Jannik, which significantly alters the dynamics of the match,” he concluded.