In a significant move ahead of the 2025 tennis season, Carlos Alcaraz has announced the addition of Samuel Lopez to his coaching team. The decision, confirmed just a day after Lopez ended his nine-year partnership with Pablo Carreno Busta, marks a strategic shift for the young Spaniard. Lopez, who hails from the renowned Ferrero Tennis Academy, will serve as the Spaniard’s second coach alongside head coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Not a stranger to the current Wimbledon Champion team, Lopez has previously collaborated with the 21-year-old at events like the Miami Open in 2022, Queen’s in 2023, and the Australian Open in 2024.
As reported by Marca, Alcaraz’s new coach will be in place for the Rotterdam Open in 2025, where the Spaniard will make his debut. The decision follows a season-ending indoor hard-court stretch where the four-time Grand Slam Champion struggled, including a surprising loss to Casper Ruud at the ATP Finals and an early exit at the Paris Masters. These setbacks exposed a need for better preparation in indoor conditions, a surface where Alcaraz’s record (7-3) remains below his high standards.
A Strategic Response to a Rollercoaster 2024
Alcaraz’s decision to revamp his coaching setup comes after a tumultuous 2024 season under the guidance of Juan Carlos Ferrero. While he celebrated major triumphs with titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, a string of disappointing results overshadowed his dominance, especially on indoor courts. After an emotional gold medal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics, the 21-year-old experienced early exits during the American hardcourt swing in key tournaments. Although he rebounded with a victory at the China Open, he failed to sustain his form in the season-ending Paris Masters and ATP Finals.
His struggles indoors culminated in a loss to Rafael Nadal’s Spain at the Davis Cup Finals, a heartbreaking moment for Alcaraz, who idolized Nadal growing up. Recognizing the gaps in his game, particularly on indoor surfaces, the four-time Grand Slam Champion strengthened his team, bringing in Lopez to bolster his preparations.
Renewed Focus for 2025
Samuel Lopez’s arrival comes with high expectations as Alcaraz sets his sights on a breakthrough in indoor tournaments. The Spaniard has conquered all other surfaces with eight titles on clay, five on outdoor hard courts, and three on grass. However, indoor hard courts remain a frontier he has yet to master, having never reached a final on this surface.
With the Rotterdam Open as his first stop in February, Alcaraz will aim to refine his indoor game, especially with top players like defending champion Jannik Sinner in the fray. His 2025 calendar already includes marquee events like the Laver Cup in September, where he will compete alongside stars like Taylor Fritz in San Francisco.
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
