Samuel Lopez has stepped up after Carlos Alcaraz cut up from Juan Carlos Ferrero, and so they’ve already loved loads of success this season.
Samuel Lopez took over as Carlos Alcaraz’s head coach this season (Picture: Getty)
When Carlos Alcaraz cut up along with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, after seven years, it despatched shockwaves by way of the tennis world. Many questioned how Alcaraz would fare this season with out the retired former No. 1 in cost, however he’s been doing simply superb along with his second coach, Samuel Lopez, moving into the pinnacle coach position.
Alcaraz has an undefeated 12-0 report to this point this yr and accomplished the profession Grand Slam by profitable the Australian Open. He’s since lifted one other trophy in Doha. Ferrero, nevertheless, continues to be considerably combating the cut up. He lately admitted he needed to unfollow Alcaraz on Instagram to “separate” himself from the seven-time Main winner, and confirmed he’d “by no means say no” to teaching the 22-year-old once more.
Ferrero has additionally struggled seeing Lopez proceed working with Alcaraz, regardless that he says he inspired his shut confidant to simply accept the job. Lopez coached Ferrero in the course of the Spaniard’s personal taking part in profession and has shut ties to his academy in Alicante.
Chatting with Josep Pedrerol on El Cafelito, Ferrero lately mentioned: “I used to be the primary to encourage Samu to simply accept the job of teaching Carlos. He is somebody I belief fully, I am very completely satisfied for him, and it makes me very completely satisfied and relieved to know that he is conscious of all of the work that is been completed over time. On the similar time, seeing somebody I belief a lot teaching Carlos hurts a bit of, however I am getting higher at it.”
Whereas Alcaraz and his crew have spoken little about Ferrero’s departure, Lopez has now credited the 46-year-old for serving to him change into a greater coach. “I’ve additionally discovered quite a bit from Juan Carlos as a participant and from the time we spent collectively on the crew. I all the time attempt to hear and take the perfect from each expertise,” he informed Alicante publication Aqui en Villena.
Earlier in Alcaraz’s profession, Lopez typically accompanied him at smaller occasions that Ferrero couldn’t attend, together with the ATP 500 in Queen’s. In 2025, he formally joined the crew as Alcaraz’s second coach, and he and Ferrero shared the ATP Coach of the Yr Award. And that shared stint helped the 56-year-old when he in the end took over this season.
Samuel Lopez beforehand labored alongside Juan Carlos Ferrero – and even coached him again within the day (Picture: Getty)
“The primary few weeks have been marked by Carlos’ whole dedication to pre-season. He’s proven nice focus, depth in coaching, and a really open angle to listening and accepting assist. This reveals his progress in maturity,” Lopez mentioned after Alcaraz’s good begin to 2026.
“I used to be already working with Juan Carlos Ferrero final yr and have identified Carlos since he arrived on the academy, so the difference has been pure. The beginning has been very constructive, and the outcomes have additionally been there, which all the time makes the job simpler.”
Alcaraz has already ticked off one large objective, finishing the profession Grand Slam by claiming the Australian Open title, the one Main event he had but to win. Now, Lopez believes he has what it takes to finish the calendar Slam, profitable all 4 in a single yr. Within the Open Period, solely Steffi Graf, Margaret Courtroom and Rod Laver have achieved the feat. Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams got here painfully shut earlier than falling brief in Flushing Meadows.
However Lopez believes he can do what no participant has completed since Graf in 1988. He added: “Carlos has already proven that he can win a number of Grand Slams in a yr, so the dream can be to go for all 4. It’s bold, however doable. Above all, we wish to arrive on the Main tournaments in prime type and compete for them. Hopefully, we are able to win extra vital titles, and if we win all 4, even higher.”
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