Carlos Alcaraz, the electrifying Spanish tennis sensation, has been making waves in the world of tennis since his emergence onto the professional scene. With his explosive game, unwavering determination, and infectious enthusiasm, Alcaraz has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. A key, and more recent, component of Alcaraz’s ascent is the addition of veteran coach Samuel López to his team. While Juan Carlos Ferrero remains his primary coach, López’s influence has already proven invaluable, adding a new dimension to Alcaraz’s already formidable skillset.
A New Dynamic Duo: Alcaraz, Ferrero, and López
Since 2018, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world number 1 and French Open champion, has been instrumental in shaping Alcaraz’s career since his early teens. Ferrero’s guidance has instilled in Alcaraz a strong foundation of discipline, tactical awareness, and mental fortitude. Recognizing the need for further refinement and a fresh perspective, Alcaraz added Samuel López to his coaching team in late 2024.
López brings a wealth of experience to the table, having coached players such as Juan Carlos Ferrero himself, Guillermo García Lopez, Santiago Ventura and, most recently, Pablo Carreño Busta, helping him reach a career-high ranking of world No. 10. His expertise in player development and tactical analysis has already begun to bear fruit, complementing Ferrero’s long-standing influence.
Alcaraz himself expressed his confidence in the new coaching dynamic, stating, “I think Samuel, for me, is one of the best coaches that we have on tour. They trust each other 100 percent and being able to travel with both, for me, it’s going to be great. I think I’m going to grow as a player thanks to them.”
López’s Impact: A Multifaceted Approach
López’s influence on Alcaraz extends beyond technical adjustments. His impact can be seen in several key areas:
Mental Fortitude
López has placed a strong emphasis on mental resilience and developing a clear sense of identity on the court. He encourages Alcaraz to embrace his own unique playing style and to remain confident in his abilities, even in the face of adversity. “In tennis you always evolve technically, but above all the evolution must be at a mental level,” López explained. “At a level of concentration, of being yourself, of having a clear identity. Die with your boots on. Don’t be afraid of losing, but if you do lose, do it playing as you play and convinced of what you do.”
Tactical Acumen
López’s experience working with a variety of players has given him a keen eye for tactical nuances. He works closely with Alcaraz to analyze opponents’ weaknesses and develop strategies to exploit them. This has resulted in Alcaraz becoming an even more adaptable and unpredictable player on the court.
Serve and Return Enhancement
In his recent title-winning journey at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, Alcaraz specifically thanked López for advice that proved crucial. This guidance likely contributed to Alcaraz’s improved serve and return game, which were evident in the final where his first-serve percentage jumped to 78%, and he controlled the rallies more effectively.
Confidence Building
López’s presence has instilled a renewed sense of confidence in Alcaraz. Knowing that he has the support and guidance of two experienced coaches has allowed Alcaraz to play with greater freedom and aggression.
A Fresh Perspective
With Ferrero having coached Alcaraz for so long, López brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to the table. This can help to prevent complacency and ensure that Alcaraz continues to evolve and improve his game. “I knew that I had to be with someone else than Juan Carlos that can help Juanki sometimes and travel or mix or split tournaments,” Alcaraz said. “So have someone to refresh a little bit between tournaments is going to be great.”
Evidence of Impact: Titles and Improvements
The addition of López to Alcaraz’s team has already coincided with notable successes:
Rotterdam Open Title
In February 2025, Alcaraz won his first indoor title at the Rotterdam Open, surpassing Juan Carlos Ferrero’s haul of 16 titles. López highlighted how “technical improvements” and developing “a clear identity” allowed Alcaraz to win.
Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Title
Alcaraz secured his sixth Masters 1000 title at the Monte Carlo Country Club in April 2025. He specifically thanked López for the advice that helped him navigate the challenging moments of the tournament. “Probably the phrase Samuel has said the most this week,” Alcaraz stated. “One thing he told me and that may have been the key this week is that I have to face difficulties. I have to face them, not avoid them.”
Mental Resilience on Display
At the Rotterdam Open, Alcaraz demonstrated his improved mental fortitude by recovering from setbacks in both the semi-final and final matches, winning the deciding sets against Hubert Hurkacz and Alex de Minaur, respectively. López emphasized the importance of instilling a winning routine and focusing on Alcaraz being himself, regardless of the situation. “We have put a lot of emphasis on him being himself,” López said. “Being very clear about what he has to do, his routines, his attitude, being above all else.”
The Road Ahead: Continued Growth and Success
While it is still early in their partnership, the initial signs are promising. López’s impact on Alcaraz’s game is undeniable, and the young Spaniard is poised to continue his ascent to the top of the tennis world.
Grand Slam Goals
Alcaraz has made it clear that his primary focus is on winning Grand Slam titles. With four major titles already under his belt, he is determined to add more to his collection. López’s expertise will be invaluable in helping Alcaraz prepare for and perform at his best in these prestigious tournaments. “The ranking is there. But mainly [the] thing for me is Grand Slams, trying to win as many Grand Slams as I can,” Alcaraz said.
Maintaining a Strong Team Dynamic
Alcaraz values the importance of having a close-knit and supportive team around him. He has emphasized that López and Ferrero trust each other completely, which is essential for a harmonious and productive coaching environment. “They are like a family to me, it is very important to have a good atmosphere off the court,” Alcaraz said.
Adapting and Evolving
The world of tennis is constantly evolving, and it is crucial for players to adapt and improve their games accordingly. López’s fresh perspective and tactical insights will help Alcaraz stay ahead of the curve and continue to challenge the top players in the world.
López: A Key Influence
Samuel López’s arrival has already injected a new level of strategic thinking and mental toughness into Alcaraz’s game. By working in tandem with Juan Carlos Ferrero, López is helping Alcaraz unlock his full potential and solidify his place among the elite of men’s tennis. The partnership between Alcaraz, Ferrero, and López promises to be a compelling narrative in the years to come, with the potential for even greater triumphs on the horizon.
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