Carlos Alcaraz might have slipped a little from his previous ranking, but he has the support of Roger Federer‘s famous coach, Paul Annacone. Annacone has always praised the Spaniard’s talent, highlighting his potential to join tennis’s next Big Three. When Alcaraz encountered a setback this year, Annacone stood by him, offering his support and expressing his opinion on one of the crucial aspects of the sport, the ATP ranking.

Last year, in the Rock n’ Roll Tennis podcast, Annacone expressed hopes of Alcaraz winning uncountable Grand Slams in the future. “I think Alcaraz, if he stays healthy, should be a multiple, multiple Grand Slam winner. Is he going to get 20? I have no idea. I don’t like to guess, but if he stays healthy with his athletic skill set,” he said. Annacone’s words highlighted Alcaraz’s impressive achievements. The ATP number three has already won four Grand Slams: his maiden title at the 2022 US Open, Wimbledon last year, and the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles this season. Additionally, Alcaraz won two more titles in Beijing and Indian Wells this year. If we talk about Alexander Zverev who replaced Alcaraz in ranking, he won two titles in Paris and Rome this year. That’s exactly what Annacone is talking about.

In a Tennis Channel podcast recently, Annacone praised Alexander Zverev’s brilliance, especially how impressively he ended the 2024 season ranked number two in the world. However, Annacone wasn’t entirely convinced. This famous coach believed Alcaraz deserved that spot, arguing about him winning two majors in a year, which is a big feat for any tennis player. “Look, in my opinion, Sascha is having an amazing year, and the points don’t lie. He played unbelievable tennis, but you win two majors and your rank isn’t two in the world. That says there’s a glitch in the system,” he said. Annacone’s remarks may hint at a flaw in the ATP’s ranking system, showcasing his disappointment over the Spaniard’s position.

Federer’s former mentor has expressed his admiration for Alcaraz before. Last year, after the Spaniard won the Indian Wells Masters, he praised him as a potential future star, suggesting he might be the next Roger Federer in the making. So, what did he say though?

Roger Federer’s ex-coach thinks Carlos Alcaraz  “can do everything”

In an interview with the NY Times last year, Annacone gave the highest compliment to Alcaraz. “I think he’s a lot more like Roger (Federer) than Rafa (Nadal), 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,” he said. The renowned coach further explained why he supported the Spanish ATP star, adding, “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 can also back up and change pace. He can do everything.” Annacone’s words reflected his intense admiration for Alcaraz’s game.

Paul Annacone may have a soft spot for Carlos Alcaraz, but his opinion about Carlos Alcaraz’s current ranking carries weight. Despite winning two majors, Alcaraz lost his ATP number two position to Alexander Zverev. With his all-around skill set, Alcaraz has plenty of opportunities to make a mark in the future and may well seize opportunities like a true champion. Do you think he can make a strong comeback next year?