Hall of Fame tennis journalist Steve Flink doesn't think that coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and the rest of Carlos Alcaraz's team are too happy with the world No. 1 signing up for offseason exhibitions, knowing that the 22-year-old has often struggled in the first month of the year.

El número uno del mundo Carlos Alcaraz anunció el miércoles que se separa de Juan Carlos Ferrero, su entrenador de toda la vida.

Sinner blew three championship points in that thrilling French Open final, which saw Alcaraz come back to win in five sets and retain his title. The Italian got revenge a few weeks later at the All England Club, where he ended Alcaraz’s reign in the championship match.

That was the reality Mark Lajal faced when the draw paired him with Carlos Alcaraz. For the young Estonian, the days leading up to the match on the sacred court were filled with overwhelming nerves.