From a US Open agony to Davis Cup ecstasy, Carlos Alcaraz has bounced back! With a win against France, 6-3, 6-3, the Spaniard has led his nation’s team to the 2024 Davis Cup Final 8. The tactical genius behind the players, David Ferrer, who debuted as captain of the team last year and will now lead them in Malaga, revealed the crucial reason that drove their team to success!

“It was probably one of the best matches I have played this year,” World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz said in Valencia, as he and his team look forward to a seventh Davis Cup victory! A few days ago, Spain secured a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic, and if their streak of wins continues against Australia in Malaga, they will soon be at the top of Group B! Naturally, Ferrer is over the moon with this possibility, but first, he wants his team to enjoy the victory they earned. According to him, his team has already achieved the main goal.

Nevertheless, Ferrer, who contributed to Spain’s victory as a player in 2008, 2009, and 2011 and ended his Davis Cup career with a record of 28 wins, talked with Punt o de Break about his evolution as a captain, stating, “I have more experience in certain aspects, but I have been a player and I have had four captains. I think that when we won, 98% of the time the responsibility was with the players.” 

Ferrer, who retired in 2019 and was offered the chance in 2022 to lead the Davis Cup team, further said, “I don’t say it now because I’m captain, as a player I already thought about it. If we have now qualified Malaga it is because I have great players, there is no more […] If we had not succeeded, it would have been the captain’s fault (laughs)”.

Ferrer is pleased and “very proud” of his team’s win against France, but at the same time, he is aware that the goal is not yet accomplished. However, according to him, winning the initial game of a tie is of utmost importance, and he believes that Carlos Alcaraz helped the team enormously to succeed in the matches. Even for Alcaraz, this victory served as an important reminder of his fans’ love and support for him!

“My energy is getting higher,” Carlos Alcaraz says after his latest win in Davis Cup

Lately, it has been a tough time for Carlos Alcaraz, who had a major setback at the 2024 US Open with a third-round exit. The 21-year-old admitted that he failed to “increase his level,” but it seems a few days of rest worked well for the French Open winner. After his Davis Cup match, Alcaraz stated how the atmosphere of the match fueled him to succeed. “I need this week, being with the team, with all the players, all the staff from the Federation.”

Furthermore, the silver medalist at the Olympics said, “Having them cheer me on in every point. Off the court, we have a really good relationship. I need this atmosphere and these matches where I feel I am not playing alone. My energy is getting higher.” Beating Ugo Humbert in the match, and leading his team to a 2-0 score, Alcaraz has now renewed his sense of confidence. With this new vigor and enthusiasm, Carlos Alcaraz, along with Ferrer’s guidance, will look ahead to the next stage of the Davis Cup. Their brilliance will surely be a key factor in their success!