Carlos Alcaraz makes Australian Open announcement after coach split | Tennis | Sport
Carlos Alcaraz has revealed his brother will have a bigger role to play in his team after deciding not to replace coach Juan Carlos Ferrero following their split last year. Ferrero had been the Spaniard’s coach since 2019, winning six Grand Slams during their seven year stint together.
Ferrero reportedly didn’t want to leave his role as coach, with Alcaraz describing the suprise split as a “chapter of life that has to end.” The world number one said: “We, as I said, both are still friends, good relationship. But we just decided like this. I’m really grateful for the seven years I’ve been with Juan Carlos. I learned a lot. It is probably thanks to him I’m the player that I am right now.”
Alcaraz has put faith in his existing team including Samuel Lopez, who was the world number one’s co-coach last year and coached the 22-year-old on a handful of occasions without Ferrero last year. Carlos’ brother Alvaro will work alongside Lopez having previously helped the six-time Grand Slam winner in a non-coaching capacity.
Interestingly, Alcaraz’s brother has no top-level coaching experience and it’s unclear whether he’ll act as a primary or secondary voice for Carlos. Speaking at a press conference at the Australia Open, 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 and well on the court and in tournaments.
“Now he’s going to take on more prominence alongside Samu [Lopez]. He knows how we operate and how the tour works, and he knows a ton about tennis.
“Sometimes, he has opinions and a way of seeing things that bring a lot to me and to Samu. Happy to see him in the box, even more involved, and he brings me a lot.”
There has been plenty of speculation around who may come into the void and fill the role left by Ferrero last year, with tennis legend Roger Federer touted as a potential coach. However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion is focusing on other activities after retiring at the 2022 Laver Cup.
