Severin Lüthi admits what impresses him most about Carlos Alcaraz: it’s not his tennis
A few days after the great victory Carlos Alcaraz V Roland Garros 2024, Severin Luthi, former coach of Roger Federer, comments on how he survived the Grand Slam tournament in France. The Swiss talks about what he thinks is next for Alcaraz in his career, shares a quick anecdote from Roger’s time training with the Spaniard and explains what impresses him most about Carlitos.
ALCARAZ’S TRIUMPH AT ROLAN GARROS AND A BRIGHT FUTURE
“What he did is incredible,” he begins. Severin Lüthi on camera for the Tennis Legend Podcast. “He’s still 21 years old, which is incredible. After the third set, I honestly thought Zverev would win. I was under the impression that he was stronger, but I was wrong again. It’s incredible that he won at his age. Three Grand Slams is crazy,” says Roger Federer’s former coach.
“I don’t know him very well, we once trained with Roger at Wimbledon,” recalls the Swiss. “This was when he (Carlos) was still a junior. I remember Ferrero told us he was good. He was already very good at that time, but the fact that he already has a great career is incredible. I’m very careful with predictions. I’m the one who thought it was impossible to surpass Sampras’ 14 Grand Slams, and now we have three tennis players who have reached 20 or more. You need a little luck, success also depends on other players. he will achieve success in his career. Now this is incredible. The future looks bright for him now.”
WHAT IMPACT DOES A COACH LEAVE?
“I think at least it helps. This shows that he is a good player, that he looks for his mistakes, that he does not blame his coach, but it cannot be said that there is a recipe for success.” This is also dictated by life circumstances. If a coach has children and suddenly doesn’t want to travel so much, you never know, from my point of view, they are very close people and me. I find it incredible that Alcaraz has this level of maturity at his age.”
WHAT MOST IMPRESSES YOU ABOUT ALCARAZ?
“I don’t know if he’s the one who hits the ball the hardest, there are quite a few guys who hit the ball hard, like Zverev. What impresses me most is his passion. I get the impression that he lives it all, he loves doing what he does. It’s very important to have good manners, to have your feet on the ground, that’s what impresses me most about him, not so much his forehand, which is also incredible. we focus on the game, the most impressive thing is: “How perfect he is. 20/30 years ago the Spaniards played from the baseline, they only played with topspin. plays well from the baseline, moves well.”