Carlos Alcaraz coach outlines three areas he must still improve

Alcaraz continues to shine after parting ways with Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t skipped a beat on the court since parting ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero over the offseason.

The decision came as a shock in December, ending a successful seven-year partnership. But it hasn’t slowed Alcaraz down one bit.

Since then, former assistant coach Samuel Lopez has taken over as the main man in the 22-year-old’s corner and is yet to see him lose a match.

With Lopez at the helm, Alcaraz became the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam after his win at the Australian Open. He then added another title in Doha soon after.

And while his success has continued this year, Lopez still believes there’s room for growth.

Samuel Lopez speaks out on Carlos Alcaraz’s development

Lopez spoke to Hoqai Post via X: “Dreaming is legitimate, always with your feet on the ground. Carlos has already proven he can win multiple Grand Slams in a year, so the dream would be to go for all four.”

“It’s ambitious, but possible. Above all, we want to arrive in the best conditions at the major tournaments and compete for them. Hopefully we can add more important titles; and if it’s all four, even better.”

“The first weeks of the season have been marked by Carlos’s total commitment to the preseason. He’s shown a lot of focus, intensity in training, and a very open attitude to listening and letting himself be helped. That shows his growth in maturity.”

“I was already working with Juan Carlos Ferrero last year and have known Carlos since he arrived at the academy, so the adaptation has been natural. The start has been very positive and, besides, the results have followed, which always makes the work easier.”

“Coaching a number one who’s making tennis history is something that maybe only happens once in a lifetime. I had no doubts, I feel prepared, and I know the player well. I know what he needs to keep progressing, and that’s what drove me to accept.”

“He needs to keep identifying his playing pattern and, from there, develop variations. Sometimes he still gets lost in the order of those patterns – though less and less.

“It’s essential to keep evolving in serve-returns when coming up into net play — also really understanding how he’ll play his style throughout an entire match.

Samuel Lopez names his ideal tennis player

Lopez shared his picks for the ideal tennis player, selecting specific strengths from various players on tour.

“The first serve would be Novak’s, the second Carlos’s, the forehand Carlos’s, the backhand Jannik Sinner’s, and the volley also Carlos’s. We’re staying pretty much at home,” he explained.

“From Juan Carlos as a player and from the time shared on the team, I’ve learned a lot too. I always try to listen and take the best from every experience.”

Alcaraz will face Grigor Dimitrov in his opening match at Indian Wells after his title win in Doha.

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