Alcaraz assumes coaching role from the bench in the Laver Cup

Carlos Alcaraz was not playing and yet he was the busiest man on the bench in Europe. On the court was the Norwegian Casper Ruud, his partner, facing the Argentine Fran Cerúndolo. Alcaraz watched, followed each exchange, celebrated, lamented and, when he found something that could help, he spoke. He talked a lot. He talked all the time.

"Try the parallel backhand more," he suggested to Ruud and also pointed out some solutions to move Cerúndolo, especially to get him to the net. Ruud played the game; Alcaraz analyzed everything. And the scene was repeated again and again during the first two days of the Laver Cup at the O2 in London, where Europe and the rest of the world arrive equal to this Sunday, with the last matches to be decided.

The result is the least important, the most interesting thing is seeing this new Alcaraz, the coach Alcaraz. Yannick Noah is the captain and Tim Henman, the vice-captain, but the Spaniard has become the player who participates the most from the bench. "I enjoy giving advice," he explained. "Sometimes it seems like I talk a lot and I don't know if I'm helping my partner, but I do my best."

Victory against Fritz

The Laver Cup offers an unusual situation: for three days, players accustomed to facing each other throughout the season share a bench, locker room, strategies and objectives. In addition, there are some who maintain a special relationship, like Alcaraz and Ruud, good friends and partners in a round of golf. But the Spanish also seems to have assumed a leading role within Europe. He is 23 years old, but he is the one who has the most experience on the big stages and, why not say it, the most tennis in his hands.

He, however, lowers any hierarchy. «For each team there has to be a leader, but in this team there is no leader. “We are all some of the best players in the world,” he said before the tournament. His companions listened and laughed. There may not be an official leader, but it is difficult to find someone who is as involved when it is not their turn to play.

One piece of advice, another and then another. And then, to play. On Friday he won his doubles match partnering with the Czech Jakub Mensik and this Saturday he defeated Taylor Fritz in a strange duel. It is difficult to know how much is true and how much is false in this Laver Cup. Five of the six singles matches played until then had ended in the super tie-break. Does that make any sense?

Alcaraz-Fritz was also decided like this, with 6-3, 4-6 and 13-11. The Spaniard started brilliantly, but then he played dumb, looking for a show and handing out several points without further ado. No one will remember this Laver Cup for the level of his tennis, but perhaps for the discovery of this role of Alcaraz, such a leader, such a teacher.