EXCLUSIVE | Former TSA director of tennis Jeff Coetzee: 'Harris has lost the confidence; Alcaraz's potential is scary'

Sport24 asked: Your assessment of the state of SA men's tennis?

Jeff Coetzee: It's a pity with Kevin Anderson (retiring), but he had such a great career. In the Open era, he was one of our best. In terms of Lloyd Harris (who crashed out in the first round of Roland Garros against Richard Gasquet), he is going through some stuff. He is not as confident as he was last year but it's just a matter of time to figure all those things out. He has the capability to be top 20. He might drop a lot this year (in rankings), but hopefully, he can swing things around on the grass and beyond that. If not, then he will go back to the drawing board. I believe he is such a great athlete and a really good player. Even the best players experience dips in form over the course of their career, but they find ways (to win). It's how you get out of it that ultimately makes you a better player and person. In that sense, Lloyd is our driving force as Kevin was for many years. We also have Raven Klaasen (in the doubles), who is also at the end of his career but still doing well. Beyond that, we need something and most of our next generation of talent are going to come through the college system.

Sport24 asked: Where do you stand in terms of the GOAT debate?

Jeff Coetzee: I think Novak Djokovic has a point to prove at the year's second slam. He would think to himself, "Nadal, well done, you have got your 21st but I'm gunning for you!" I think he wants really badly to show the world that he can do it. If you look at the draw, it's interesting because Djokovic, Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are in the same half. I think Nadal hides it (his chronic foot injury) really well. From what I've known, he is never a guy to show it, even now, late in his career. I