What sets Carlos Alcaraz apart from the rest? It’s not just his powerful serves or fast-paced footwork, but something more! Apparently, that exact thing might be missing from his WTA colleague, Coco Gauff. Comparing both players at the top of their divisions, Lindsay Davenport disclosed the potential secret to Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph at Wimbledon!

During a recent edition of the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, the conversation between Jim Courier and Lindsay Davenport brought to light the importance of communication between a player and their team during a match. As Courier sided with Alcaraz’s willingness to take advice from his team, he also talked about the World No. 2 displaying an opposing attitude. The former World No. 1, Davenport, agreeing to the same, added, “They’re pretty close, though. But they’re in it together. And it has been a full team effort for the last five or six years when they started working together. 

In the high-stakes world of tennis, belief can sometimes distinguish the best from the rest. Hinting at this idea, the former Wimbledon champion further stated how Alcaraz is “always in” when it comes to taking the opinion of his team and his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. On the contrary, such is not the case for the 20-year-old American player. “Some players would get out there and will put their hands and palms to the sky, like, Oh, really? What are you telling me? That was more of the vibe I got from Coco toward Gilbert. You’d never see that from Alcaraz,” stated Davenport.

The 48-year-old former player explained how Alcaraz “deeply believes in what he is being told. And that is why he executed so well. But it’s so important that in such a big match, a player is able to make those adjustments successfully.” Although Davenport said Alcaraz’s baseline approach game and his ability to find comfort in every position sets him apart, part of the reason for his Wimbledon success is his ability to heed advice.

Perhaps that is the reason why Gauff’s hunt for the title came to a saddening end in the Round of 16 this season while the Spaniard is still standing tall in the tournament. Although even Alcaraz’s frustration during his Round of 16 was apparent when he screamed, “I don’t know what to do,” towards his box, her WTA colleague’s approach was a bit different.

During Coco Gauff’s match against Emma Navarro, frustrated at her coach, Brad Gilbert, Gauff screamed for advice during a changeover. “You guys aren’t saying anything!” While Gilbert looked bewildered at this, many fans didn’t like her approach. On the other hand, the 21-year-old Spaniard is keen on taking every piece of advice and nodding to it during a match, establishing the fact that he has no problem hearing anything from the player’s box during a match. Not only that, he once admitted how important it is for him to take everything that his coach says when he is playing!

Carlos Alcaraz “needs everything” that his coach tells him

The former Wimbledon champion, Carlos Alcaraz, has been taking Juan Carlos Ferrero’s guidance since he was 16 years old! Although a lot of years have passed, their bond has only gotten stronger and better, with communication between the two becoming even stronger. Even during the Grand Slams, we can often see Alcaraz’s coach talking to him and helping him ace the game.

Speaking about the importance of his coach’s advice during a game, Alcaraz once said, “Six years now, a lot of things happen between us in the professional part and the personal part, but I need him in the box. I need everything he tells me from the box and it’s really helpful to give my 100% on the court.”

Maybe this faith in his coach has allowed Carlos Alcaraz to add three Grand Slams to his name, along with 14 ATP titles. On the other hand, according to Davenport, Gauff, who appointed Gilbert as her coach last year, has yet to show the same belief. Nevertheless, as both find their own rhythm with their coaches, we await the triumphs both will achieve in the remainder of the season!