Carlos Alcaraz’s Rise in Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz’s impressive ascent in tennis brings to light the significant role played by Juan Carlos Ferrero, yet recent events suggest that Alcaraz may no longer depend on his mentor as he did in the past. Since transitioning into the clay-court season, Alcaraz’s performance has been remarkable, earning victories at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters and the 2025 Italian Open. He achieved an unforgettable win against Jannik Sinner in the French Open final, saving three championship points in an exhilarating match.
Recent Performances and Coaching Changes
However, Sinner avenged his loss by defeating Alcaraz at Wimbledon, while the Spaniard managed to clinch the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships just before that. Another significant win came at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, where Sinner had to withdraw during their final match, following Alcaraz’s earlier triumph at the 2025 Rotterdam Open in February.
Though Alcaraz faced minor setbacks this year, including a quarterfinal loss at the 2025 Australian Open and not reaching finals in Doha, Indian Wells, or Miami, he recently brought Samuel Lopez on board as a second coach. Lopez, who previously guided Alcaraz to victories in the 2022 Miami Open and the 2023 Queen’s Club Championships, began his role at the start of this season, indicating that Alcaraz is open to support from other experienced coaches in addition to Ferrero.
Coaching Dynamics and Future Aspirations
Ferrero still plays a crucial role in Alcaraz’s development, but the integration of Lopez into the coaching dynamic allows Ferrero the flexibility to step back during some tournaments without compromising Alcaraz’s performance. Under Lopez’s guidance alone, Alcaraz achieved significant success in all but one event—where they suffered a surprise loss to Jiri Lehecka at the 2025 Qatar Open.
Notably, Alcaraz secured titles in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, and Cincinnati while Lopez was in charge, indicating their effective partnership. Ferrero’s presence during pivotal moments, such as Alcaraz’s French Open victory and deep run at Wimbledon, showcases his enduring influence throughout Alcaraz’s career. Despite this, the fact that Alcaraz can thrive even when Ferrero is not present emphasizes his growth as a player. Ferrero has expressed his intention not to coach Alcaraz indefinitely, suggesting a potential future where Lopez may take a lead role as Alcaraz matures on the circuit.
Looking Ahead: The US Open
Looking ahead, Alcaraz aims to bolster his Grand Slam tally with another US Open title. Historically, the US Open is notably unpredictable, especially among male competitors. For instance, Roger Federer’s last successful title defense occurred back in 2008 against Andy Murray. Before the Cincinnati Open, Jannik Sinner was considered the frontrunner for the US Open, given his recent titles at the three latest hard-court Grand Slams; however, his abrupt retirement during the Cincinnati finals raised eyebrows about his health.
Sinner admitted to feeling unwell leading up to the finals, struggling under the harsh heat, which may pose additional challenges at the US Open this coming September. Should Alcaraz and Sinner meet again in a high-stakes final, Sinner will likely be counting on cooler weather, particularly since he withdrew from the US Open mixed doubles and is currently adjusting his training with fitness coach Umberto Ferrara to prepare for singles competition in New York.
