Carlos Alcaraz’s ex-coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has opened up on how difficult it is to watch him play since their shock split in December. Alcaraz is through to his first Australian Open semi-final after thrashing Alex de Minaur in straight sets on Tuesday.

The world No.1 is yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament and knows that victory in Sunday’s final will see him become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. The 22-year-old has already won two French Open, two Wimbledon and two US Open titles in his career.

However, the six-time Grand Slam champion has looked flawless so far at Melbourne Park. Now, Ferrero has had his say, via Marca, on watching Alcaraz.

He said: “It’s tough when you see Carlos competing, and you see your whole team sitting in the chair. It’s not easy, what it feels like.”

The former world No.1 has, however, admitted that he has been delighted with his former pupil’s performances. The 46-year-old said: “I’m pleased with how he’s playing and with the fact that he hasn’t lost a set yet. He’s at a great level.”

Ferrero also revealed that he has received plenty of offers from the tennis tours since his split with Alcaraz. He added: “It is very clear that in the end, tennis is my life and will continue to be so because I continue working in my tennis academy and I am also receiving a lot of offers also at the level of the male and even female circuit.”

Alcaraz admitted post-match on Tuesday that finding more patience has been key to his success at Melbourne Park so far. He said: “This my first official tournament of the year. For me sometimes, I’m not that patient sometimes.

“In the first match, I just really want to play at my best level. This is almost impossible. You have to get the rhythm of the competition again.

“I left the court in the first round happy with my level, how I just felt on the court. My team told me, be patient. Your level, the level you want to play, is going to come, for sure. You got to just keep trying, keep pushing yourself, and you will get where you want to be. I think it’s been a great work so far of patience, of trying, of pushing yourself and just happy to see where my level is right now.”

Alcaraz will play No.3 seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals on Friday. The winner will play either Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton, Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti in Sunday’s final, with all four players in action on Wednesday in their quarter-final matches.