Tim Henman admits what he finds the most challenging about coaching Carlos Alcaraz at the Laver Cup

Tim Henman is currently enjoying his second year as Vice-Captain for Team Europe, and once again boasts a strong contingent of elite talent.

This event was created not just to honour the legacy of the great Rod Laver, but also to provide the world's best the opportunity to all converge on the same stage in a unique format uncommon in tennis.

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It has undeniably been a success, and the players clearly love it. Carlos Alcaraz is perhaps the most enthusiastic advocate for this tournament.

It is this very enthusiasm which Tim Henman argued makes him difficult to coach, especially when contrasted with the cool and collected Casper Ruud alongside him.

Tim Henman compares Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud's coaching styles

Speaking on today's live episode of the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, he joined the panel just in front of the O2 ahead of what promises to be a dramatic final day of Laver Cup action.

Asked who had perhaps stood out for him with their commitment to the cause and passion for the team, he wasted no time in naming the Spaniard before offering Ruud as a unique counterpart.

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Henman noted: "I think Alcaraz, obviously, for his personality and his energy, you know; however, I think Casper Ruud has, you know, an enormous experience in this event, and he said something to Alcaraz in the match against Fritz, and he just said, look, from where I'm sitting…

"And again, it's been brave enough to give your opinion, you know, whether the player takes it or not is another thing, but he said, from where I'm sitting, when you get into the rally against Fritz, you're more athletic than him. You've got a better forehand than him.

You've got more variation than him. You don't have to overplay. You can sometimes stay in the rally.

"I think the challenge, obviously, for Alcaraz is he wants to look up at the screen above and see another spectacular winner, as we do, so… there are sometimes when you're just, sort of, sitting on the side, saying, just stay in the rally, stay in the rally.

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"But then he hits that incredible shot, you know, the drop shot that is probably the wrong shot selection, but he pulls it off, and you're going, yeah, that's the way, keep doing that. So you do end up contradicting yourself a fair amount."

Henman then explained the awkwardness of trying to give advice to players who play nothing like he did, as a classic old-school serve-and-volley aficionado.

He concluded by adding, on their differing play styles: "I think he's [Ruud] got a great understanding of the way that he needs to play patterns of play that work for him, and that will translate for other players.

"And, you know, with Alcaraz, again, because there are so many options, you sort of end up sitting there and saying something really stupid, like, well, you know, just hit winners. If you hit winners, that will work. That's not necessarily relevant for everyone else."

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This comes just after Alcaraz revealed the advice Ruud gave him during his recent win over Taylor Fritz.

Carlos Alcaraz matches Roger Federer feat at the Laver Cup

No record is safe with Alcaraz around, and that is not reserved to just ATP Tour-level events.

Even the Laver Cup is now seeing his unparalleled domination take over, with the 23-year-old having just matched a feat only ever previously achieved by Roger Federer.

After all, Alcaraz is now just the second player to earn ten or more points at the Laver Cup after the first five matches at this event.

He will hope to secure the overall victory for his team later today, and is scheduled to play Alex de Minaur if he is needed as the third match.

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