Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach has say on Juan Carlos Ferraro split and lays out big goal | Tennis | Sport

When Carlos Alcaraz split with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, after seven years, it sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Many questioned how Alcaraz would fare this season without the retired former No. 1 in charge, but he’s been doing just fine with his second coach, Samuel Lopez, stepping into the head coach role.

Alcaraz has an undefeated 12-0 record so far this year and completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open. He’s since lifted another trophy in Doha. Ferrero, however, is still somewhat struggling with the split. He recently admitted he had to unfollow Alcaraz on Instagram to “separate” himself from the seven-time Major winner, and confirmed he’d “never say no” to coaching the 22-year-old again.

Ferrero has also struggled seeing Lopez continue working with Alcaraz, even though he says he encouraged his close confidant to accept the job. Lopez coached Ferrero during the Spaniard’s own playing career and has close ties to his academy in Alicante.

Speaking to Josep Pedrerol on El Cafelito, Ferrero recently said: “I was the first to encourage Samu to accept the job of coaching Carlos. He’s someone I trust completely, I’m very happy for him, and it makes me very happy and relieved to know that he’s aware of all the work that’s been done over the years. At the same time, seeing someone I trust so much coaching Carlos hurts a little, but I’m getting better at it.”

While Alcaraz and his team have spoken little about Ferrero’s departure, Lopez has now credited the 46-year-old for helping him become a better coach. “I’ve also learned a lot from Juan Carlos as a player and from the time we spent together on the team. I always try to listen and take the best from every experience,” he told Alicante publication Aqui en Villena.

Earlier in Alcaraz’s career, Lopez often accompanied him at smaller events that Ferrero couldn’t attend, including the ATP 500 in Queen’s. In 2025, he officially joined the team as Alcaraz’s second coach, and he and Ferrero shared the ATP Coach of the Year Award. And that shared stint helped the 56-year-old when he ultimately took over this season.

“The first few weeks have been marked by Carlos’ total commitment to pre-season. He’s shown great focus, intensity in training, and a very open attitude to listening and accepting help. This shows his growth in maturity,” Lopez said after Alcaraz’s perfect start to 2026.

“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 the results have also been there, which always makes the job easier.”

Alcaraz has already ticked off one big goal, completing the career Grand Slam by claiming the Australian Open title, the only Major tournament he had yet to win. Now, Lopez believes he has what it takes to complete the calendar Slam, winning all four in a single year. In the Open Era, only Steffi Graf, Margaret Court and Rod Laver have achieved the feat. Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams came painfully close before falling short in Flushing Meadows.

But Lopez believes he can do what no player has done since Graf in 1988. He added: “Carlos has already shown that he can win several 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 at the Major tournaments in top form and compete for them. Hopefully, we can win more important titles, and if we win all four, even better.”

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