Carlos Alcaraz’s split with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero did not derail his pursuit of big titles, as many feared it would.
In a shock move during preseason, Alcaraz parted ways with Ferrero, ending the successful seven-year player-coach relationship.
Following the 45-year-old’s departure, assistant coach Samuel Lopez took over as the Spaniard’s head coach.
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In his first tournament with Lopez in charge, Alcaraz won the Australian Open, becoming the youngest player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Another key member of the now-seven-time major champion’s team is his brother Alvaro, who also took on a new role at Melbourne Park.
Carlos Alcaraz discusses his brother’s new role in the team
As per Tennis 365, Alcaraz said: “My brother is a very important person in my personal and professional life.
“He brings me many positive things that I need to perform better on court and in tournaments. Now he’s going to take on more prominence alongside Samuel [Lopez].
“I’m happy to see him in the box, more involved, because he brings me a lot. We still don’t know which tournaments he’ll be at or which ones he’ll travel to alone without Samuel.
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“What is clear is that Samu will travel 80 per cent of the time, or even more. He’ll be at the most important ones, and for some, my brother will travel alone.
“I don’t know which ones, because everything can change, and as someone once told me, ‘plans are made to be changed’”
Carlos Alcaraz says he knows what Samuel Lopez is capable of
Lopez and Alcaraz enjoyed the best start possible to life after Ferrero’s exit, but the 22-year-old knew there would be no issues.
“The truth is, I know what Samuel is capable of,” said Alcaraz. “I know how long he’s been working, chipping away at it, as we say, his whole life.
“He’s a very good tennis teacher, and when I hear him talk with my father about what they shared when they both played, you can see they’re both passionate about tennis.
“You can tell the great emotion and passion they feel for the sport. Having my father and Samuel here makes me especially happy.”
Alcaraz was scheduled to play at the Rotterdam Open after his Australian Open triumph, but he has since withdrawn from the ATP 500 event.
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