Former World No. 3 David Ferrer has identified his countryman and current World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz as the favorite to win the 2024 Roland Garros title. The Spanish Davis Cup captain also expressed his hope that Alcaraz and Nadal would join the national roster led by him in the team competition later this year.
Alcaraz who will be 21 in May has already displayed his surface versatility and all-round game by winning multiple titles on hard courts, grass and clay. His two major titles have come on the hard courts of US Open and grass courts of All England Club while seven of his 12 titles have been on terre battue.
The Murcian has secured two Masters 1000 titles on clay having won the Madrid Open in 2022 and 2023 while also clinching ATP 500 Barcelona Open twice and Rio Open – another ATP 500 – once.
Alcaraz’s best result at the Roland Garros to date was reaching the semis last year where he was humbled by Novak Djokovic in four sets after struggling badly with cramps that started to creep in third set. He was defeated by Alexander Zverev in four sets in the final eight at RG 2022.
In an interview given to Spanish publication Marca, Ferrer named Alcaraz when asked about the favorite to take the 2024 Roland Garros crown. The veteran Spaniard also addressed whether it is now more difficult for Alcaraz to win than previous years because his rivals now have a better standing of his game than before.
“He is second in the world and you cannot demand that a 20-year-old player always win. The players also know him better, but he is a special player, of the calibre of Rafa, Roger or Novak. Now is when you handle the pressure,” Ferrer explained.
“Not everything is new, you demand that you always win because you are second in the world and you have been number one. The semi-finals are no longer valid. He demands to win and it is not easy, it is a process and we have all been there.
“Well everyone, I’m referring to Carlos, Rafa, Carlos Moya, [Juan Carlos] Ferrero, who were very special players. It is a learning experience and Carlos is able to assume and accept where he can improve. The year has just begun and it will evolve, without a doubt.”
The 2013 French Open finalist also shed some light on Spain’s failure to qualify for the Final 8 stage of the 2023 Davis Cup and the prospect of the nation’s two biggest stars teaming up for doubles for national duties in 2024.
“Yes, it was complicated because we didn’t qualify. These are things that happen in tennis and you can’t always win. The team was young and there has to be a transition,” the 41-year-old said.
“We had injuries to [Roberto] Bautista [Agut], [Pablo] Carreno [Busta], and Carlos Alcaraz. But it’s not an excuse. This year we hope to improve and have our chances of winning the title. I have faith in the players. Furthermore, it is an Olympic year and I will be very active as captain.
“Hopefully [Nadal and Alcaraz can play doubles together in the Davis Cup]. What I can say is that we have to wait a little to see how Rafa goes on the Indian Wells tour and then on the clay tour, which is very important to see how he feels.
“Today, Rafa’s priority, before the Davis Cup, is the Games. Have a good clay tour, feel competitive and be at the Paris event. The option that he can play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz is something that all tennis fans and I, as captain, are very excited to see being there.”